If you want to have a smooth vacation, start with the preparation before travel. Being prepared can mean the difference between a fun get-away-from-it-all vacation to a stressed-out experience.
If you are contemplating waiting until the last minute to pack and prepare then I have to warn you. Becoming frantic the night or two before the trip can carry over to your vacation, making it hard to relax.
Here are some things that you can do to prepare for your travel.
Laundry
Get all of the laundry done well in advance of the trip. This way you can get that chore out of the way and be able to pack whatever clothes you want to take. Once the laundry is clean, you can put together outfits and know exactly what it is you would like to pack. Plus when you get home, you’ll only have to do your travel laundry.
Create a Packing List
Make a list of everything that you are bringing. Not only will this help when it comes time to repack and come home, but you can also hand the list to another family member and have them complete the list. For example, with my older children, I may create a list that includes: three pairs of shorts, one pair of nice pants, six pairs of underwear, etc. Then it is up to them to pack their own items (I’ll double check, of course), so it is one less thing for me to do.
Pack the Personal
Grab a separate bag that you will carry with you, to pack all of the very personal items you need, from paperwork to medicine. You might include keys, cell phones, wallet and money, boarding passes, etc. Pack this particular bag as early as possible, or if you use these items on a daily basis, keep the bag or tote out in a central location and return those items to the bag after use. These are all of the things you will either need while you are actively traveling, or items that you couldn’t be without if your luggage got lost.