Its ALL about the preparation!! When I pack for a trip, I’m not only packing for me…I’m prep-packing for everyone! Sure, the kids can pack, but some oversight does help avoid troubles on the trip.
- Packing the suitcase/bag: Lay it ALL out. And I mean ALL. I’ve been on a trip and forgotten pajamas, and somehow, I often seem to forget socks. For me AND for my kids. So now, I lay out piles of like-items, such as a pile of shirts, a pile of shorts, a pile of socks, a dress or two, etc. Right by the suitcase, at least two days in advance. I do the same for my kids, because inevitably they’ll forget something and then we have to buy something once we are traveling. So, each kiddo gets their suitcase surrounded by their piles, and almost always someone says – “wait, I don’t have a swimsuit,” or, “Oh, I outgrew all my shorts!” Its way better to do that last trip to Target several days before, then the night of a trip. I mean, I LOVE Target – but I don’t need to see the Target in Florida or the department store in London. I try to have the kids involved in the actual packing of the suitcase. Showing them how to roll and fold, and letting them know what is going in so they can add things they want to take – especially important for those tactile-sensitive kiddos – don’t forget their favorite shirt/pants!! (For my kiddo, its a hoody sweatshirt. There must ALWAYS be a hoody. Sometimes, a specific hoody.) Even if you have a kiddo that cannot pack due to age or ability, having them next to you and using a visual schedule of packing, going to the airport, etc can help with the process of travel!
Make sure to leave room in each suitcase for souveniers. Or that hoody my kiddo will buy. - Packing the personal bag Each person should have a personal bag. Because if they don’t have a way to carry their stuff, YOU will end up carrying it! Personal bags can be small backpacks, tote bags, purses, etc. For ASD kiddos, it’s usually a small backpack with at least the following:
– Device: Phone, ipad, Kindle, tablet
– Sensory Toys: squishys, stuffies, fidgets, etc
– Headphones: either for music or the noise-reducing kind
– Visual Schedule if needed
– Visual Communication Card if helpful
– Gum: Critical for landing and take-off. Gummy candy can work in a pinch or if your kiddo doesn’t do gum
– An activity for when electronics are not allowed (book, activity book, coloring, game)
– Snack that your kiddo helped pick out (thank me later)
– Favorite shirt for layering (hoody, sweatshirt, etc)
-Anything else critical for your kiddo - Labeling Each family member gets a color to identify stuff on the trip. A ribbon on their suitcase to identify it on baggage claim, sharpy marker in that color on their device charger, ziploc back of snacks, you name it. Device chargers in particular are in high demand on any trip, and this helps avoid the “no, that’s MY charger!” argument.
- Your bag What do I put in my personal bag? Usually too much. Recently I made the mistake of choosing fashion over function, and I ended up having to get a more practical backpack once at the destination. Two days of carrying my cute but short-handled Tote around and I was in misery. Your personal bag will often double as the “everything we’re taking for the day” during each day of the trip, so if you’re going hiking/walking through the national parks this may be a different choice than if you’re going to NYC or the beach. A cute, versatile backpack usually does the trick.
-Earbuds (Although I love my noise-cancelling headphones, I have to be able to hear my kiddo on the plane, so earbuds work much better)
– Gum: for when your kids lose theirs
– Snack: because someone will run our of theirs
– Mini liquor bottles (just kidding, sort-of)
-Book you’ve been dying to read: Air travel is one of the few places where you actually have time to read for more than 3.2 minutes.
-Magazine – often easier to read in those 3.2 minutes of peace
-Wrap/big scarf/Pashmina: One, I always get cold on planes and two, one of my kids usually ends up being cold at some point. Although I tent to pack neutral colors when I travel, this usually has a pop of color !
-Phone, laptop, camera: I never pack my electronics in anything but my carry-on. I like having them with me in case my suitcase gets lost.
-ASD identifying Card (this is super helpful when you’re kiddo is having a rough time but you don’t want to say in front of them” My kid has autism!”…that tends to only exacerbate the issue. You can make one at home or get one in a kit, it’s a great way to let flight attendants and nearby passengers gain understanding of where your kiddo is coming form. We tend to use ours only if an issue comes up.What are your must-haves when you travel?