High Maintenance Mom

We have a few weekend or longer trips coming up and I'm making lists of everything we need. In the past I have diligently packed for everyone the night before only to get somewhere and realize I have too many clothes for the kids and forgot a few essentials for myself. This is one of several lists on the website. Please let me know what works for you and I will update the list with your suggestions...

In advance, if you have time

• Make sure car is tuned and running smoothly.
• Check car seats and consider cleaning car (inside and outside).
• Make sure you have enough gas to start out (we often leave several hours after our planned departure time because we realize we need gas or to return a library book on top of the pleasure of just getting everyone and everything into the car).
• If your trip isn't already overscheduled, check out where you are going to see if there is something nearby of interest for your family (the hotel where you are staying can help out as well as several websites and of course, friends). List the types of activities you will be doing and make lists for the clothes you will need. On our next trip we will be driving several hours, spending two nights in a hotel, swimming, going to a park with water play, attending an evening wedding, and attending a morning brunch.
• Make lists of anything you will need that you may need to buy before you leave - toiletries, diapers, wipes, food, clothes, toys, books.
• Check on your music selection. Does your iPod/mp3 player have all your family's favorite songs? Do you need to burn CDs?
• Check to make sure you have enough of the vitamins and medications your family uses daily.
• Check on any clothes that might need to be cleaned - especially anything that requires dry cleaning.

Basic overnight items

• Toothbrush (one for each person).
• Toothpaste (possibly different types for kids and adults).
• Floss.
• Hairbrush/comb.
• Shampoo, conditioner, soap (if your children have sensitive skin you will probably want to bring the type they use too).
• Sunscreen.
• Deodorant/Antiperspirant.
• Small first aid kit (bandaids, some type of ointment like bacitracin, alcohol wipe).
• Your makeup and extra toiletries (tampons, pads, hair styling stuff, etc,).
• Pajamas (one for everyone and an extra for any child who might wet the bed or cover themselves in food).
• Blankets or stuffed animals - whatever your child can't sleep without.
• Sheets - for a crib if you are getting one (It might just be bad luck but I've been given some nasty crib sheets at nice hotels).
• Water cup - both my kids sleep with water cups so I don't have to get up in the middle of the night to get them something to drink.
• Vitamins and medications.
• Contacts, contact solution, storage case, glasses.

Daytime basics

• Underwear or diapers for everyone (plus bras).
• Shorts or pants for everyone - since we have so many different activities, I am bringing 3-4 pairs of shorts for my kids for three days (I'm assuming they will get one pair dirty before the wedding and need an extra pair).
• Shirts for everyone - again, 3-4 shirts for the kids (one for getting dirty in the park and the others nice enough for formal kids stuff). I'm bringing 3 each for the adults.
• Shoes - sandals and dress shoes for all of us (if it wasn't summer I'd bring sneakers instead of sandals). I'm taking one extra pair for myself because we're driving.
• Socks for the boys dress shoes and one pair for all of us in the hotel in case it's cold.
• Milk cups or bottles if you use them. A bottle brush if you plan to use a sippy cup or bottle for several days.
• Hats for outside.

Extras for activities

• Swimming - everything from my Going Swimming List.
• Formal attire
• Dress, suit, skirt/blouse/jacket, or whatever you are planning to wear plus all undergarments (underwear, bras, socks, nylons, etc.) - same for your husband, if he's like mine, you'll be packing for him and noticing items that should have been washed after the last event.
• Accessories - jewelry, scarves, etc.
• Shoes.
• Something to keep the kids occupied, if necessary - a new book, stickers, a toy, etc.
• Park - soccer ball or other outdoor activities.
• Exercise clothes - I'd like to sneak down to the hotel exercise room once the kids go to sleep. We'll see if that happens... (shoes, socks, shorts, tank top, long sleeve shirt, sports bra).
• Camera and/or video camera
• Music for the car (movies if you have a player).
• Chargers for all electronic devices (cell, iPod/mp3, computer, etc.)
• Games, toys, and/or books for the car. We have small plastic backpacks that I keep special travel items in. The toys look new to the kids because they only see them when we travel.
• The "stealth" diaper bag.