As I’ve mentioned a time or two (or twelve), my husband and I are going on a cruise at the end of this month and I am in the midst of last-minute preparations before we leave. Any parent will tell you that preparing to go on a trip is a lot of work (not that I expect you to feel badly for me, I am about to leave on a seven day cruise to the Caribbean after all) and this one is no exception. Leaving four children for a week–even when we’re lucky enough to have grandparents to watch them–is a lot to think about and prep for, and of course I still have to pack for myself! Some links contain affiliates, all opinions are completely my own!
Headwrap // Leather Jacket (similar) // Boots (similar) //Luggage (similar) // Picture by @seaglass_cottage
If you’d like to go on a trip without kids, here are some tips to help you get planning!
Start Preparing Early
Nothing can ruin a great vacation more than being stressed out and flustered going into it. I like to start preparing as early as is feasible. Start laying aside the clothing you want to pack, cleaning up the house, and preparing your kids for you to be gone (if that’s what works for your family–our kids do great with other people and go crazy if we tell them things ahead of time so we like to tell them about trips the day before–or the day of) about a week before if you can. Make lists of things that need to be done as you think of them and don’t leave any miscellaneous planning (such as printing up directions) until the last second. Try to plan things out so that you can be well-rested going into your trip, especially if you’re going to be stuck flying a red eye.
Work out a Schedule
Whether you have one kid or six you probably have some type of schedule that helps things run smoothly at home, right? After all, most kids have school, extra-curricular activities, playdates, etc… I always like to type up a schedule for whomever will be watching our kids that lays out a rough daily schedule, plus any little extra notes that will be helpful. Favorite television shows, easy meals that the kids will like, where extra linens and towels can be found, etc. Sometimes I also try to set up playdates for the older kids to make it easier on the babysitter. This written schedule is also a good place to jot down important phone numbers so it’s all in one place. Make sure you leave enough time to go over the schedule with whomever is watching you kids in case they have questions!
Stock up on Essentials
Before leaving for a trip I always want to be sure and leave my house well-stocked. First of all, it makes life easier for the person watching my children so they don’t have to drag everyone to the store. It also helps makes things easier on my kids if they have the familiarity and comfort of their favorite foods and items. Don’t forget about things like vitamins and medication too. If the babysitter be driving your car (which they probably will because, car seats, duh) be sure that the gas tank is full, and think about leaving some gas money home if it’s applicable. And don’t forget about paper goods, like toilet paper and diapers!
Clean Things Up
Personally, I hate leaving the house a mess when we leave for a trip. I’m not saying you have to sterilize every surface, but it’s always better to leave your house clean and tidy. Nothing brings on the post-trip blues faster than walking into a messy house and realizing that now you not only have to unpack, but also clean up. Since most people won’t leave a space messier than they find it, it’s a pretty safe bet that if you leave your house clean, you’ll come home to it clean. I also find the weeks leading up to a trip to be a good time to reorganize those areas in my house that tend to get messy faster, such as my children’s dresser drawers (how will the babysitter find clothes if the drawers are a mess?) or the pantry (you don’t want them to have to deal with hangry children because they can’t find the makings of a meal in your cupboards!). Don’t forget to make sure the laundry hampers are empty and clothes are put away as well!
Last Minute Checklist
Don’t you just hate that feeling when you’ve started down the road for your trip and realize all of a sudden that you’ve forgotten something important? I am always a fan of checklists and especially so before a big trip. My checklist before leaving the kids includes everything from packing to cleaning to typing up a current schedule for the kids (I keep a document saved on the computer and update as needed to make it a little easier). I also always have a last-minute sticky note I keep by my purse of all the things I can’t pack until last minute, like a phone charger or toiletries. Once you’ve said goodbye to your little sweethearts you really don’t want to upset them by coming back to the house five times for things you’ve forgotten.