Bye bye, carry-on only trips! Bring on the backpacks, the strollers, the car seats and yes, even the toddler safety leashes!
Prior to kids, I was a two-week abroad, carry-on only type traveler. I was proud. This was a mastered skill. It was truly an art! Then… we had kids and this skill now feels useless. As a mother, I have mastered an entirely new set of packing skills though. From finding the most convenient car seat to drag through an airport, to the perfect amount of carry-on luggage.
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Packing for the plane
It is key that you have what you need for the first 48-hours of your trip on you. Yes, luggage gets lost. And with kids that would be an even bigger disaster. Most airlines have 48-hours to reach you with your luggage or you often qualify for a free flight. So the incentive is often there for them to get it to you in that window. That being said, make sure you have what you need to enjoy the first two days, no matter what happens. Backpacks are the best way! Everyone has a backpack and everyone has their hands free. This allows us to wrangle our children more easily. And it allows them to have what makes them comfortable in their own backpack. Safety note: backpacks attract sneaky thieves so be mindful of where you store things like your wallet and passport. These should never be in a small outside pocket that can be easily unzipped while you’re waiting in line somewhere.
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Insurance {as important as your suitcase}
Pre-kids we didn’t often think of this one. Now we are wired to worry about everything. There are many options, so make sure you research the company. If you’re traveling within the U.S. you will often only need your trip costs covered {which is anything you paid that is non-refundable}. A kid can get sick and all of a sudden your family could be out thousands of dollars. Trip insurance will reimburse you. If you’re going overseas you need health insurance as well. A lot of policies give you the option of combining medical and trip insurance. That is often the best way… unless you have a certain medical condition or you are pregnant. I learned that first hand. We were able to pay a fee to our primary medical insurance company for coverage in the countries we were visiting, and that was the best option for me while pregnant. Make sure to read the policies and don’t be afraid to ask direct questions. And of course, have the insurance documentation either on you or saved on a device {cell phone/tablet} before leaving.
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Checked baggage
The picture above is what we packed for three people for 10 days in England/Wales. It’s much less than a weekend at the cabin up north! Why? Strategic planning. Planning takes time but it’s worth it. Why would we lug all this extra stuff through airports, rental cars, shuttles, and trains if we didn’t REALLY need it? We make lists for each person. We plan the outfits for each day {we of course pack a few extra outfits}. Then I go back through each suitcase to make sure we didn’t get a bit too crazy with added items. Outfits with layers are also great when traveling if the climate will be changing. I try to find ways to limit us to two sets of shoes and one jacket per person. I also pack each suitcase in order of the trip. That means the last outfits are on the bottom and the ones we need for the first day are on top.
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Don’t be afraid to pack food
We all know we can’t sneak a water bottle through the TSA checkpoint, BUT you can take food. So if you want to save a little money, and avoid spending time getting everyone snacks…pack their favorites in their carry on backpacks. This also comes in handy for the younger kids who get a bit anxious. I’m pretty sure gummy bears can solve all the world’s problems for my toddler.
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Tablets. Really think about this one.
We’re all trying to cut down on screen time. But think about what keeps you occupied while sitting in an airport or on a plane with a bunch of strangers? We all grab our phones. Maybe a good book we’ve been meaning to get to. But, the bottom line is… kids need something to keep them busy. Keep in mind you won’t always have access to WiFi so be sure to download whatever shows/movies/books you know they will want.
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How many toys does the toddler really need?
The answer is always, not that many! It’s hard to say no but I found a trick. If you fit everything in this one small bag you will get a new special toy {also the smallest toy I could find} when we get on the plane. Yes, I bribe my kid sometimes and I have no shame.
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Luggage limits
Think about what bags work for going through the airport. THEN think about what works for going through security. My toddler loves having his own little backpack on him but sometimes that little bag exceeds our limit. So, slip that tiny bag into a bigger one. Same goes for your purse. Pack it into your main carry on if it fits. Know your weight and measurement limits. Know your sizes. Know your rights. It’s less about what you have on you and more about how you package it. Side note: carry-on bag limits don’t include your ‘personal’ item. So let’s just say, my husband has a ‘murse’ for the sake of plane travel.
