Recently, we packed up the two kids – aged four and six months – and headed to Chicago for my aunt’s wedding. If I didn’t love my aunt so much, we would not have even attempted to make this trip! As the season of crazy holiday travel approaches, I am sharing with you a few tips and tricks I’ve learned (and wish I thought of!) to attempt to make your trip just a little bit easier and a little less stressful.
- Start your list and pack early.
As you will likely hear me preach about in posts to come, my bullet journal helps me get my life in check for just about any situation. I began my packing list about a week before we left Dallas. I follow a “traveling with baby” checklist that I’ve been using since Gloria (now four years old) was an infant. I keep it in my phone, and also my bullet journal, and refer to it for every trip we make. As for myself, I planned out every outfit and accessory I would need for each day. This strategy was an upgrade from my previous one – pouring a glass of wine the night before and shoving anything I might think I would need or want to wear into a bag.
My packing list - Pack snacks the night before.
Really, do anything you can the night before. I packed our lunches, snacks and filled water bottles. I also had my purse, diaper bag and cross body ready to go. - Make sure all of the bags fit into your vehicle.
I was so proud of myself for having everything packed a couple of days early, but forgot that my husband also required a few things to survive the weekend. Oops. We don’t have an SUV or minivan, and with a back seat full of car seats, not much space either. So as a result of us packing the car the night before, I ended up having to severely trim down on items and repack our bags. Did I mention this was at 11 pm the night before? - Get gel nails and a blowout.
I am as low maintenance as they come, but taking the afternoon before my trip to take care of myself saved me so much time during the hustle-bustle weekend. I got gel nails (for the first time!) and hair cut and blown out. I brought my curling iron to touch up my hair the day of the wedding. You think this left the suitcase? No. - Wear a small cross body bag.
Keep your phone, ID and credit card, boarding passes on hand. This will avoid you having to dig through your purse or diaper bag a million times. - Get to the airport early.
We try to get to the airport an hour before boarding to make sure we have time for coffee, a quick breastfeed and a few minutes to chill. - Treat yourself to something, anything.
Starbucks, a glass of wine, the National Enquirer. Anything to make you feel like a human and not a toddler-toting zombie. - Empower your child to be a helper.
Gloria helped pack her backpack with toys, snacks and water. She carried her own backpack (some of the time) and had easy access to her things when she wanted them. - Be the last to de-plane.
Before I had kids, I’d see those people who would wait for everyone else to leave the plane and think “What is wrong with you? I have places to go, people to see, NOW!” Now I get it. Now that we’re a family of four, if we want to sit together, we’re likely in the last few rows of the plane. So this is not a big deal anyway. But it gives us a moment to gather our stuff, strap on the baby carrier, and not feel rushed or judged. - Accept the chaos and find small moments to savor.
All we wanted to do was get home! We arrived back at DFW on a Sunday night (a school night!) after both kids’ bedtimes. They were cranky and hungry. Heck, I was cranky and hungry. The car seats didn’t want to cooperate. I took a deep breath, Gloria dug out her tiara and wand, we turned on some music and danced in the parking garage. It was a sweet moment. It didn’t last long, but I remember thinking how lucky we are to have this precious time together.
