Comments on: Travel tip: Let the kids pack

By: Jan Gephardt

Jan Gephardt — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:35:11 +0000

From a very early age (like 3 or 4), my husband and I told the kids, “Okay, go pack your suitcase!” whenever we would go on a trip. They knew where to find their suitcases, and they felt very “big” and capable whenever they were charged with this job.

When they thought they were done, they would come tell us (lots of coaching was needed at first, for this!), and we’d go through the checklist with them. “Did you pack underwear?” we’d ask. They’d look, find it (or not), and reply. “How many?” (Counting was needed for this response; at first we’d count them out for them). Gradually we’d make it through the list.

It took what seemed like FO-O-O-O-R-R-R-E-E-E-V-V-V-ER to go through the darn list, the first dozen times or so. But by the time they were six or seven, they already were extremely competent packers. We’d still go through the list, but it was a much faster process.

By the time they were in their early teens, no checking was ever necessary. They were seasoned veterans. When they were in high school, they were the awe of many classmates, who’d never done the job for themselves before. They even figured out space-saver techniques WE hadn’t thought of, and taught us!

I’m not kidding–my son went over to his best friend’s house to help him pack for his first semester of college, because the young man didn’t know how to pack his own suitcase!

The two things our kids have thanked us for most often, since they reached young adulthood are (1) not getting a divorce (not that we considered it), and (2) teaching them to pack their own suitcases! I can’t recommend it highly enough!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:19:04 +0000

I let my kids pack their own things for most trips. They each get one small case (laptop-size) for toys or books, and I make lists for their clothes: 3 short-sleeve shirts, 3 pairs of pants, 3 underwear, 3 socks, 1 pajamas, etc. Of course, I don't worry much about their outfit combos, but when they choose what to pack, they don't complain about what it is they have to wear. Linda’s last blog post..Utz Factory Tour in Hanover, Pennsylvania

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:23:32 +0000

I still pack Jess’s clothes, but she’s packed her backpack of toys the last two times we travelled – one trip to Far North Queensland, the other to country Victoria. Seriously, it’s the only way to make sure that she gets exactly what she wants in the essential toy/entertainment area. Silly parents, we always bring something she doesn’t want, and leave something vital behind!

Have a lovely trip to AZ, my friend!

By: Enjoying Travel with Kids

Enjoying Travel with Kids — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:22:00 +0000

Just recently my husband suggested that when go on a weekend away in the near future, that the kids should pack their own bags. (Our kids are similar ages to yours). My first thought was that our youngest will end up freezing the whole weekend!

Thinking more though, getting them to pack their own entertainment-y sorts of things – books, toys, soft toys etc – is a great idea.

BUT, I reserve the final say about the clothing though! I just can’t imagine my four year old suddenly realising that underwear is not optional – I really doubt that she’d think to include underpants…

Enjoying Travel with Kids’s last blog post..Favourite places we’ve visited: The Alhambra, Granada, Spain.