... over-pack or under-pack when you leave the house? Doesn't matter if it's for a trip to the grocery store or for a week long vacation...
I usually carry the minimum while running errands (who wants to schlep extra stuff, PLUS 3 kids??)... I keep spare diapers and wipes and stuff in the car in car the baby has a blow out, but that's it. (I don't miss toting around a diaper bag!) If we're going to be longer than an hour, I usually throw some snack in my purse for the kids, and some water. Light packer.
BUT... I tend to over pack for vacations, even if it's a weekend camping trip. I HATE having to go to the store on vacation. Errands do not mesh with relaxation ;) However, I'm really, really trying not to over pack for our beach trip next week. BUT my big dilemma is, the baby's in a cast, and I have to make sure I bring all his 'gear'. I'm exhausted just thinking about it!
What do you think I absolutely need (aside from the obvious sunscreen, cast cover, towels, umbrella, etc)??
What do you commonly pack that you never use?
Are you a light packer or an over packer?
BY THE WAY, I updated my profile picture, it's not very good (it's from my brother's cell phone), but it's got the baby with his little cast.... it's green and we're calling him 'baby hulkster' ;)
@Cheryl, he'll be sleeping in the pack and play NOT IN MY ROOM! We had a tough time this week, when he broke his leg we put him in our room, in bed with us... no one slept. Then I slept with him in bed in another room... no one slept. Then I tried sleeping with him in the pack and play in the same room... no one slept. I think I'm going to put him in the pack and play, in the girls room, MWAHAHAHA!! ;) Mama needs her beauty rest!!!
You know, I ALWAYS used to lug my hairdryer with me. Now it seems every hotel (or person's house) you're staying @ has one.
One less thing for the pound limit... which I have exceeded on more than one occasion. :)
Flying helps me pack light, but when we drive--I always overpack--especially clothes.
Take about half the clothes you think you'll need--especially if you can do laundry there.
As for other stuff--just take a week's supply.
There will be stores there if you forget anything major.
I tend to over pack toiletries and clothes.
Swimsuits, beach towels, clothing, sunscreen.
Depending where you stay, you can rent a lot--even beach towels (so bulky to pack), umbrella & chairs, linens, baby gear, etc. Maes it so much easier!
I'm a over packer. Not really sure on that first question....most of what I pack is for my daughter in the diaper bag.
Ooooh, where ya going for vacation!
I think I'm an underpacker but I too HATE buying anything on vacation, only b/c you pay double or more for it on the road or you won't be able to find it. My husband is also an underpacker but thinks he can just buy anything he needs on the road.
I always pack our portable potty when we take road trips, the kind that folds up and you can line w/a plastic bag. But my kid never uses it b/c he suprisingly has great control of his bodily functions.
Traveling with a baby is hard b/c of all the equipment you need.
After having my 3rd I became a light packer. My hands (and car) are too full to be packing anything extra. It is alot easier not having to lug around all the gear.
This last summer we went to the beach and stayed at a hotel. They have washers and dryers onsite. We used them for our beach towels to help keep them fresh and remove most of the sand. (we blew out the towels too before packing them back up on our way home - less sand we brought back with us, haha).
I really don't have a suggestion on something we pack and never use b/c we usually back the bare min.
Have fun!
I overpack but I'm ready for EVERYTHING. It's the survivalist in me.
Neither, it is all rather scientific, or not. I pack a casual outfit for each day, whatever is needed for special events. Then I pack a couple extra casual outfits for oops moments that usually involve klutzy children. The night before I pack everything I needed to go to bed, in the morning everything I use goes in the bag as well. 20 years running I have never had too much or too little. :)
My GF, Pam, gets confused when she sees me pack!! She's a seasoned traveler but can take a HUGE suitcase with her...however, she does travel for work so she needs more than I would....I can pack for one week in my carry-on duffel bag...and make everything work with two pairs of shoes... what's funny? my hubby thinks I OVER PACK...and I don't think I do...he's a military man though - so he makes things work in a back pack...urgh...
For next week? I would go with ONE sweat shirt for the cool evenings each...shorts and long pants - the condo you are staying in has washer/dryer, right? I know it's supposed to be a vacation - but it really does help to have one!! :)
With Roman's gear - what else do you need? And need being - you will die without? :) other than clothes, diapers, wipes - not much of anything really...sand chairs I assume will be at the condo already...will Roman be sleeping with you or in the pack and play?
I tend to underpack now, but will be back to "overpacking" in about 8 months!
LOVE the picture! He looks so much like your husband!
I underpacked for our trip to the beach, so we ended up buying things like water shoes and an umbrella on the boardwalk - talk about EXPENSIVE! WOW! In general though, I make lists of everything we need, and then pack one extra outfit. The only time I do not pack an extra outfit, is if we are staying in a timeshare that has a washer and dryer. I prefer that because then we go home and only have to put clothes away, not stare at piles of dirty laundry. So I guess when I travel, I normally pack just right :).
check out listbean.com
a free site that helps you do check lists- pre made check lists and lists you can add to :)
I am a crazy over packer. In fact, once when we were going out for the afternoon, we actually ended up driving upstate and stayed overnight on a whim. I had enough clothes, bottles, formula, diapers for our son!!! Haha, my hubby and I were in the same clothes, but the baby had everything he needed.
I dont even have little kids anymore but still tend to overpack for wknd excursions. It's not really me that does it, it's hubby. The suv will be so full of everything but the kitchen sink. I always hate the re-entry because it's a disaster to put back everything we NEVER used while gone.
I over pack clothes for trips. Even when hubby and I go to the mountains and stay at a hotel overnight I pack 3 or 4 outfits. I want to have a "choice" in the morning when I wake up like I do looking in my closet!
