Packing and Loading For Traveling

I was asked just today asked how in the world I manage to pack for 8 people. And the short answer is, I don't. All 8 people in this house pack for themselves.

First I make several lists, and then we WORK the lists.

I compile a list of what each person needs to pack in their suitcase (everyone has a suitcase of their own) --- 5 pairs of socks, 2 sets of church clothing, 4 pairs of town-pants, 1 sweatshirt, etc. Then, each child is given one "go to get" item at a time in the order it appears on the list. They go to get the items, and bring them to me (or DadToCherubs) ... I check to be sure they are suitable (quality and quantity) and then they place that item in their suitcase --- then they go to get the next item on the list. The list is followed rigidly - one cannot move to the "next" item without have finished the one before. This prevents "forgetting" things, which helps keep us prepared when we travel. When each suitcase is finished, it is taken directy to the van.

After the suitcases are packed, we go through the TOILETRY list (we have separate TRAVEL toiletries so that we can pack before we need to leave and yet still brush our teeth - HA !) -- toothbrush, hairbrush, face products, etc. There is a list for each person, and each person works their list (with Mom or Dad as supervisor) until their Toilerty list is packed in the Family Toiletry Bag. This bag, which the family shares, is then loaded into the van.

Then, if there is a special packing list (sleeping bags, camping supplies, kitchen wares, etc), that is packed up in the same fashion by an assigned person -- then it is put into the van.

If all goes as planned, the van is packed completely (minus food stuff in need of cool temps - such as needs a cooler) a full 24 hours prior to our departure, or more.

The night before we are leaving on a trip, we get out necessary clothing .... what to wear down to socks and shoes and coats --- this is put out for ease of use.

Also the night before we leave on a trip, everyone has a specific area of the hosue to DEEP clean .... vacumn, dust, mop, scrub ..... all clean laundry is put away, fresh towels are put out, and the last load of laundry is run. This way, when we come home from our trip, the house is spotless .... it is so nice to come home to a nice clean house !!

And finally, on the morning of departure we have something NO MESS for breakfast -- bagels (served on napkins) and a paper cup or juice or milk. We do this to cut down on clean-up. Then everyone gets dressed to leave, right down to the shoes.

The last part of our "departure" agenda -- everyone folds his / her PJs neatly and places them on their dresser --- then they make their beds and tidy anything left undone in their rooms and in their assigned cleaning area. All trash is bagged up and taken to the dumpster ....

Then ... we are OFF on our travels.

Now - what do we pack this way ?? Well, because it is a valuable skill to be able to pack for ones self for a trip not to mention it is an effort to preserve Mom's and Dad's fragile sanity when preparing for a road trip. HA !!