Anyone else have to pack for the whole family alone?

[preshi]

How do you do it? Perhaps I'm too compulsive about things because in all reality we are still quite a ways out from our trip but I just got ahold of a good packing list and am making an excel spreadhseet for each of us. I am the packer in the family, I pack for all big trips but this... this is just nuts. How do you you pack for 2 kids, hubby AND yourself for 7 days! Is that like 5 suitcases? Does it sound like I'm on the right track even though I'm a little early? Or am I just completely crazy! :banana:

[MrsJackSparrow]

The kids each have their own rolling Disney case - from the Disney Store a few years ago - that I usually am able to pretty much fill with their clothes. All shirts and shorts are rolled, underwear stuffed in around the edges. One very large athletic duffel bag for DH and me. Has pockets on the outside for shoes. One more bag for odds and ends that didn't all fit in. Oh, and I usually bring kid sized coat hangers for the kids' stuff. And then there's the toiletries - they have their own case. :rotfl2: So yeah, probably 5 bags! :goodvibes

[antree]

Try packing for 2 kids, hubby and yourself for 2 weeks, not sure how the weather was going to be because we were going in Jan. OMG I was crazy. 5 bags sound good. We always leave with 5 bags, a stroller and 3 carry-ons and 2 fold up bags for purchases. Don't you wonder what are families would do without us. :)

[Reese]

We were surprising the kids with a trip in Feb so I had to pack without them knowing. I worked until 11 at night and I couldn't pack during the day so I had to pack in the middle of the middle of the night and hide it. Packing five kids- six including DH in only as much luggage as I could stack under blankets in my closet was definately an experience not to be repeated.

Next time I'll tell them and they can pack themselves :cool1: .

[disneymom3]

I pack for three kids, me and DH. I never do more than 2 suitcases and a carryon size bag (for the driving days.) I make sure to do a lot of mix and match clothes. Everyone has two pair of long pants, preferably jeans, one long sleeve shirt and a light jacket and generally four total summer outfits. Two swimsuits each, jammies and underclothes. I seem to regularly forget DHs socks. He is really happy if we get to our destination and he has socks!!!

We stay offsite at a villa with washer and dryer though so I know I can always wash if I need to. I often do one load during the week--which is why the mix and match is vital--and then do a load or two on our last day so I bring home all clean clothes.

[daisyduck123]

For our last trip, I had to pack for myself, DH, DD11, & DS8 for 9 days.

The clothing was easy because we had matching Disney shirts for each day. I just had to make sure all t-shirts were packed. I did have to buy 4 pairs of black shorts for us all & a few pair of blue shorts. (I wanted matching shirts & shorts & the family actually agrees to this every time!).

2 days before the trip, I almost had a breakdown when I couldn't find DS8's Tevas & some other things. I just sat down on the steps & almost started to cry....telling DH that I couldn't do all the packing by myself. Miracuously, the missing items turned up & then I was o.k.

The actual packing itself wasn't what was stressing me out. It was trying to keep track of everything I wanted to take....& I'd even kept a HUGE Rubbermaid (just for our Disney trip) in the master bedroom since our last trip.

I wish you lots of luck & a great trip!!

[pooh2001]

It's a Mom's world in my home. DH gets to pick a few shirts. The kids pack a few items for the plane. I check their bags before we leave.

We try for 3 suitcases for 9 days, 4 people. We do laundry after 4 days of our vacation at the resort. So, we do 5 outfits, 2 bathing suits, 2 extra t-shirts & 2 extra socks, 2 pairs of sneakers (wear 1 pair), flip-flops, 1 light jacket (worn on the plane). No jeans, no sweatshirts.

I also pack 1/2 used shampoo's & conditioners, plastic bags for camera's when it rains, a roll of paper towels. When we leave, we ditch most of our toiletry products.

We carry the film, camera's, our glasses/contacts, money, keys, ID's, tickets, etc... on us in carry on items.

I also pack some extra plastic hangers (from store bought items during the year) in the outside pockets of the suitcases. They are great to hang clothes in the closets, saving some drawer space. The plastic hangers are also left in the closet when we leave.

In the past we have over packed - never wore some clothes, did not need the items. We do not over buy on WDW trinkets. We get Goofy taffy, the new beach towel designs,....our DS wants to get some CD's in the music store in DTD, our DD wants to buy some earrings. We collect a few popcorn tubs during our week. We clean out the popcorn containers, fill up with socks, and pack them back into the suitcase.

Summer clothes take up much less space than winter clothes.
And if my teen DD packed - she would take up 3 suit cases of her own - I have to limit the queen of wardrobe to 5 favorite outfits (I do allow one sun dress and maybe 3 bathing suits for her).

So for our famly - 3 suitcases as checked luggage. DS & DD each have a small bag as carry on. I (DW), have a fanny pack and carry on (I have the sunglasses, hats,essentials) and DH has his camera bag as carryon.

[PA Princess]

I do the packing for me and the kids...dh basically does his own stuff. I prefer to pack the kids myself since I know what we need and want to pack. Last trip I packed for me, ds9, ds 8, dd4, and dd 6 months for a week. I made lists, and I also started putting things in the suitcases that I bought ahead and as we used them for the last time at home. I wasn't fanatical about that...didn't even matter if it was the right case at the time, as long as it was tucked in a case for future official packing :-)

I had a list of what I wanted with each person's suitcase of what was to go in that particular case...as specific as I could get, and then i checked it off as I packed. It sounds like more work than it really was. We had one suitcase for each person and each person had a carry on (all cases relative to person's size :-). I have to say that packing for a week at Disney is a breeze compared to packing for a week at the beach! Now that is some serious packing LOL

[Mom to Jordan]

When DH and I went on our honeymoon, he packed ONE shirt for the week! No clue what he was thinking. I have been doing the packing ever since. Our first trip to WDW I way over packed as it was January and I had no clue to the weather. After a few trips I have learned not to over do. There is nothing that you can not get at WDW if needed. I pack two bags for all of us. WE always go winter. I pack a couple pair of jeans, a couple pairs of shorts, enough t-shirts for each day (often matching disney ones), underwear, two sweat shirts, gloves and a hat. We sometimes need to wash out a t-shirt or under wear but never do real laundry. I start a week or so before and pack all the off season stuff then do laundry the day before and pack right from the dryer. It is really not something I freak out over. I figure the less you take the more you can buy there!!!!!!

[sara74]

Not only did I have to pack us all, but I even had to shop for DH for new summer clothes! Most of what he had was jean shorts that were so old you could see the outline of his wallet in them when they were fresh out of the dryer! So, I took DD4 and DS2 to the stores with me, bought shorts and shirts, brought them home to DH at night and showed them to him so he he veto power and then returned his rejects! All this, I have a career of my own and I was PG too! Then I packed it all for all of them! Not one little bit of help!

PS I way over packed! But I'd rather have too much than too little!

[lyzziesmom]

When DH and I went on our honeymoon, he packed ONE shirt for the week! No clue what he was thinking. I have been doing the packing ever since.

You just answered your own question: He was thinking that if he screwed it up royally just once, he would never have to do it again!! :rotfl:

[brettgirl]

SURE, Pack and UNpack and do all of the laundry!!!! for a family of 4. Sent along snacks, packed carryons, birthday presents, planned the whole itinerary and vacation---everyone did get to breathe on their own though!

[glass slipper girl]

Packing is always such a joy here before a trip. :rolleyes: I pack the clothes for myself and the kids, all the toiletries and park bag essentials, make all travel arrangements etc. and DH tosses some clothes (which I have of course washed and folded for him) into a bag in about 5 minutes total and then gripes about how he doesn't understand why it takes me forever and I get so stressed about it. :rolleyes: Maybe b/c the kids are trying to "help" me and their idea of "help" means removing what I have packed and hiding it around the house. That's a fun game for Mommy, ya know! We usually have the kids and I's stuff in the BIG suitcase, DH using a smaller one, one carry on with stuff we need in case the bags get delayed (which gets checked on the way home) and our carry ons.

Before our trip last December my youngest announced he was packing his own stuff. He came back into my room pulling his rolling suitcase and announcing he was ready to go. I checked the suitcase and he seemed to feel that for a 9 day trip to WDW he needed 4 pairs of underwear, a blanket sleeper, swim goggles, 2 tee shirts, 3 socks, 1 water wing, his Tigger slippers, 1 sandal, his favorite stuffed elephant, about 10 different Thomas the Tank Engine trains, his brother's toothbrush and of course the most important item...my credit card he had removed from my purse as he was packing. :rotfl:

[sameyeyam]

I let my family pack for themselves. I give them a couple minute rundown or checklist on what they need and then let them go do it for theirself.

However, when they are done, I go inspect their suitcases to make sure they have everything they need. It's much easier to look through their suitcase for a spot check, then to pack everything myself!

If they forget something, oh well! It's amazing how much stuff you don't need on vacation. I really pity some of those families that have about 20 suitcases piled up, it looks like they are moving! We each have 1 small suitcase and manage just fine. I also take along 1 large suitcase with extra food, we eat the food, then we have an empty suitcase for souvenirs.

[ryanally]

SURE, Pack and UNpack and do all of the laundry!!!! for a family of 4. Sent along snacks, packed carryons, birthday presents, planned the whole itinerary and vacation---everyone did get to breathe on their own though!

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
That's me too. I wouldn't have it any other way. Too much of a Disney control freak. Because we are blessed to be at the World at least once a year, I keep the Disney vacation things like ponchos, lanyards, water bottle holders in our "traveling" box in the basement. Then we go anywhere the travel items are all together. This helps take some of the stress away.

[Hannathy]

First my husband is an adult he can pack himself. If he has to wear the same shorts three days - he'll learn. Same for my DD who is 14. I'll remind her and ask did you put in this but otherwise she's on her own. I will pack for my DS who is 7. I agree with the "it's amazing what you can live without" We each take 1 medium suitcase and I'll throw in an empty bag for bringing junk back and the kids take their backpacks and DH takes his camera bag and I take a small carry-on.

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Brettgirl- you sound like me. LOL
Ofcourse I usually pack for everyone and did so the before our last trip (including cruise) except for letting DH pack his stuff with "direction" from me. That was my mistake. In other words I was like make sure you have your brown shoes, black shoes, crocs and sandals in there, etc.
Well you guessed it- he didn't pack his undershirts (needed for white shirt & tie for formal nights on the cruise!) and he didn't pack his brown shoes so he ended up wearing his sandals with his clothes for dinner on the cruise...

Next time back to me packing everything. LOL It's just better that way.

[idreamofdisney24/7]

I have had our suitcases in our living room for over a week and we don't leave till the 15th! I started organizing this afternoon too.. I have to pack for my husband, and kids (11,8,2,8 weeks). I also have been shopping for everyone..with kids, clothes from last year don't fit so it's a whole new wardrobe for everyone. Plus, I just had a baby and had to buy myself a whole wardrobe too. I printed up a packing list which is great! But, I'll still forget something! I put all my husband's stuff in his suitcase and he will double check it. I tell him I am not responsible for anything left out if he doesn't look into it!! It always happens! It's so stressful packing for the family!

[mskani]

I usually pack alone, but I play my Classic Disney CD's which makes the job go faster and more fun.

[Cinderella2006]

I am dreading packing for this trip! I have not only got to worry about packing for myself, my step son 8 and my son 2, there is my fiancé who thinks he only needs one outfit because he plans on buying everything when he is out there! Now come on, this happens every trip, I have to sneak clothes in. As soon as we land he wants to shop when the boys and me just want to hit the parks!

Preshi - you are not mad, every trip I write a list on excel but I still manage to forget something!

This trip in October will be the worst, we will be getting married this trip so we will not only need all the 'usual stuff' but wedding dress, suits for kids, fiancé and well just everything you need for a wedding!
I think i will start packing two weeks in advance.

[DisneyMomx7]

I pack for all 5 of us for a two week plus trip. I make all the Disney plans. I pack the bags for the plane. Unfortunately I do this all with the help of my three kids. This means it only takes twice as long.

I use the ziploc bag method for the kids and while it does initially take longer it makes our trip so much easier. The clothes are easy for me because I have whole closets full of things that the kids haven't been allowed to wear until we go to Disney and under their beds are baskets with brand new socks, underwear and hair things. Its just putting them together in the bags. My girls biggest problem is that they want to bring 20 pairs of shoes! Last year we heard DH grumbling as we unpack - why do they bring 10 pairs of shoes each. LIttle did he know it could have been much worse.

I pack snacks for the plane and the kids get their gameboys, coloring books etc. into their own backpacks.

Actually I don't mind the packing so much it just means we are that much closer to Disneyl Oh - I forgot that I ship one or two boxes ahead of time with the kids costumes, tinkerbelle gifts, water/spray fans etc.

BTW don't worry about 5 suitcases. Last year we went for 18 days and had 11 suitcases and four carry ons - and I still had to send out and do laundry.

Good luck.

[Grendalynn]

I do ALL the packing and vacation planning! And no matter how stressed out I get or complain, I think I like it that way!?? The kids are little, so its up to me. I am a control freak and would probably stress if I left DH to do it himself. He will get out what he wants to bring, I will take out the stained T-shirts and add what I want him to have. Its my fault, I am sure, but its just easier. Then I get all our cloths together in a bug heap and iron till the cows come home. A horrible, nasty trait that I inherited from my Mother - everythng has to be ironed before it goes in teh suitcase!!

:blush: We have 1 suitcase for me, 1 for DH, the boys (so far) share one and then we have the hair/shoe bag. Also the kids have a single backpack for the things to occupy them in route or at the airport. Mind you we get the $25 over weight fine on at least one bag everytime we fly!! :guilty:

I am one of 5 kids and we used to travel A LOT when I was young! As a family of 7 - on a 2 week vacation - you should have seen the luggage!! I got my overpacking ability from my mom - there is no doubt! It looked like a sidewalk sale at American Tourister when we pulled to the curb!! LOL so what I bring is nothing in comparison - I come by over packing justifiably!! :confused3

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

I'm in the midst of packing now. I too am using the ziplock bag method. It is my first time packing like this and it makes things so much easier.(thanks to the DIS tips board :thumbsup2 ) I have a ziplock bag for everyday numbered and labeled with a name. I am packing for all 4 of us and I prefer to do it alone. Too many hands helping just makes things too confusing. I get more excited with every new thing that goes in the suitcase :banana:

[suz72]

DH tosses some clothes (which I have of course washed and folded for him) into a bag in about 5 minutes total and then gripes about how he doesn't understand why it takes me forever and I get so stressed about it.

Sounds exactly like my DH :confused3 Don't know what we're gonna do with these guys

[penguin087]

Do I pack for the whole family?

Only if I don't want them to look silly!

[TAKitty]

I pack for all of us (me, DH, DS 12, DS 8), but I don't think it is a big deal. The bigger problem is that my Dh only wants to take two small rolling bags for the four of us for six days! We pack one boy with each adult bag. I am a notoriously "only what we need" packer. I have just enough for each day. It seems to work for us.

[snowy76]

When DH and I went on our honeymoon, he packed ONE shirt for the week! No clue what he was thinking.
LOL... Perhaps he didn't think he'd be leaving the hotel room too much, being on a honeymoon and all! :blush:

[emma'smom]

I'm starting to pack for my family of 4...last time we took five suitcases three carry-ons, stroller, diaper bag, and a briefcase. This time, it's a surprise trip for the girls. I'm using the ziploc bag method and packing individual outfits as they come out of the clean laundry. I've been tossing the bags of complete outfits in a laundry basket until it will be time for packing up the suitcases.

[bopper]

I have the kids pack themselves, but I give them a list and then I check it. Usually I will sit in my room and say: Go get 6 pairs of underwear (always 1 more than the days we plan to stay...you never know what happens! Like last time we went, my DH messed up the plane reservations and had us coming back the same day we left...but we didn't know that until check out time! so we had to stay an extra day :cool1: ). Go get 6 pairs of socks. Etc. Etc. I pack all the "park" items....like raincoats or fans or our collection of pins. I keep a "Disney Packing List" on the computer that we use. DH is perfectly capable of packing himself and I just make sure he has his water shoes or something he is likely to forget.

[disneymom3]

First my husband is an adult he can pack himself. If he has to wear the same shorts three days - he'll learn. Same for my DD who is 14. I'll remind her and ask did you put in this but otherwise she's on her own. I will pack for my DS who is 7. I agree with the "it's amazing what you can live without" We each take 1 medium suitcase and I'll throw in an empty bag for bringing junk back and the kids take their backpacks and DH takes his camera bag and I take a small carry-on.

I agree that DH could pack himself. This is my problem. He does not care what he wears and I do!

Honestly though, I don't mind packing for everyone. I usually end up forgetting something and we just live without it. My main thought while packing is that we are going to DISNEY and nothing else really matters!! We also always have a car so if it is something really crucial we can always get a new one.

On our honeymoon, I forgot my curling iron in the trunk of my dad's car. I had put it there because it was still too warm to go into the suitcase before the ceremony and then lo and behold, left it there. It was a nice intro to married life! Couldn't find a curling iron on the little Carribean island to save my life! :rotfl:

[Jenn Lynn]

I used the ziplock method for DD when we went in '04. It helped so much. Especially when DH got her dressed. He could just grab a bag and it was all there. I even put her hair accessories for the day in the bag. Worked out really nice.

DH packs himself then I review and add clothes. He usually forgets something or doesn't take enough. I pack both of the kids myself. The hardest one to pack is me. I am so indecisive. I defintely took too much last time so I am going to try and cut back in September.

[irishbosoxfan]

We are leaving in a few weeks for our first trip to WDW and I must admit I've been packing since January when we first decided to go! I have been using my laundry room as the storage area and it has been almost stress free(Ask me again in like 18 days!!)

There are 7 of us going(me,DH and 5 kids) and we will be camping at FW! So instead of the normal vacation packing I also have to have everything we will need for the campsite!

So far we have 6 bags to check and this includes our tent,screenhouse,air mattresses and all items for the park and campsite plus the 2 youngest girls suitcases are already packed--(They have so many clothes it was easy enough to set aside 6 short sets,2 sundresses,2 jeans,undies,socks and jacket)

All that is left to pack for is me and DH which I will be doing today then the three older kids.

As for lists I have 3----1 big white binder which has maps and info we gathered early on WDW---1 regular sized notebook which mainly contains the list of what is contained in each suitcase to be added before we leave so when we get to the airport the people can see what is in each suitcase and when we get to FW we know where any item we may need is located----1 fat lil notebook which will be making the trip with us which contains every tip and trick I picked up here at the DIS which is broken into sections for dining(which also has all our adr #'s,restaurant name and location),campground,MGM,Epcot,MK and has the master list for everything we needed at each(As I packed it I crossed it off the master)

I CAN'T let DH or the kids pack(DD4 packed her bag and she had her baby,blankie,tiara and her Bella dance video)-Because if we are missing anything it will be my fault and I can't get angry at anyone but myself(Well unless of course I decide to get mad at DH for not helping me and making me pack it all myself ;) )

[tweedlewtwinsmama]

I used the ziplock method for DD when we went in '04. It helped so much. Especially when DH got her dressed. He could just grab a bag and it was all there. I even put her hair accessories for the day in the bag. Worked out really nice.

DH packs himself then I review and add clothes. He usually forgets something or doesn't take enough. I pack both of the kids myself. The hardest one to pack is me. I am so indecisive. I defintely took too much last time so I am going to try and cut back in September.

My husband once forgot his coat when we went on a day (thankfully) ski trip. This is why I am packing.

[skent10]

I do the packing for myself and the 4 kids--DH is on his own since he travels frequently and can pack himself easily. Everyone knows their last chance for laundry is the day before I pack, so are pretty good about getting everything to the laundry room for a marathon cleaning session.

I also use the ziploc bag method. Everyone gets their own suitcase (the kids have carry on types with wheels and pull out handles so they can take/drag them through the airport themselves).

All five suitcases are laid open on my bed, and the roll call begins. "I need 7 pairs of underwear" and they all run to their rooms and bring me back 7 pair, which we put in ziploc bags. Then I yell, "I need 7 pairs of socks," and off they go to add the socks to their ziploc bags. We go through that until we have complete outfits in our ziplocs. Then it's "Bring me your swimsuits!" and "Bring me a pair of pyjamas!"

That way we all pack together, but I know exactly what everyone has in their suitcase. And if someone forgets something, it means we've ALL forgotten it! There was that one vacation when our sleeping attire consisted of underwear and t-shirts . . . :rolleyes1

[molly2004]

How do you do it? Perhaps I'm too compulsive about things because in all reality we are still quite a ways out from our trip but I just got ahold of a good packing list and am making an excel spreadhseet for each of us. I am the packer in the family, I pack for all big trips but this... this is just nuts. How do you you pack for 2 kids, hubby AND yourself for 7 days! Is that like 5 suitcases? Does it sound like I'm on the right track even though I'm a little early? Or am I just completely crazy! :banana:

You sound like me! I've got a trip in two weeks. The only thing that is keeping me from packing is that the kids (both 2 yo) will go in an unpack everything! They're at that stage now...take out...put in...take out...put in... ;)

I'm the light packer of the family. Before kids, I'd pack everything I need for a week in a backpack. If it didn't fit, it wasn't going. DH, on the other hand, has to have 3 pairs of shoes, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts....all for an overnight trip! "Just in case," he says. Ugh! So now, I pack everything for everyone, except DH's clothes. He gets to pick out his clothes, but I get to veto what he chooses.

One travel trick I learned is to roll your clothes instead of folding them. It takes up much less room in your bag so you don't have to pack much. Now, for the four of us, I can pack one large rolling suitcase. Two backpacks (one for DH and me) and that's it. That includes diapers for the trip, toiletries, etc. Again, my motto, if it doesn't fit, it isn't going! You can buy what you need when you get there.

Have fun packing!

[spoiltrotten12]

We are going for 2 weeks in July. First few trips it was just me and DH, last year it was me, DH and our DD (now 2) and in July there's going to be me, DH, DD and our DS (now 2 months old). Each year I am packing for one extra person!!

My two cousins are joining us on the trip in July (both active boys aged 4 & 6) so that their mammy (my aunt) and daddy (my uncle) can have a rest. Plus, my other aunt and uncle are coming along to help out. Thankfully I don't have to pack for them :cool1: :cool1:

[DISaholic's]

For all of you out there will little ones, please know that you won't always have to (or be able too!) pack for them.
I have a DD12, DS16 and DS19 and God Forbid if I were to pack for them!

I'd pack all the 'wrong stuff'! (as if Socks and underwear are the 'wrong things'! :rotfl: ).
I used to pack for everyone, but as they have gotten older I've basically been 'kicked out' of the packing for everyone but myself. My hubby even does his own now, as he's been traveling a lot lately and is used to doing it.

We leave in 10 days :woohoo: and I'm almost all packed, my DD is working on it. My DS's look at me like I'm crazy...they'll pack the morning we leave probably!

They've already been told that the Thurs before we leave is last call for Laundry, after that they're on their own or packing dirty clothes. :smooth:
They do get the reminders from me...'Don't forget your swimsuit, do you have your contacts?...etc.'

Anyways for all of you that feel like you do it all.....Once they're teenagers they won't have you even thinking about their clothes, much less packing them!

[Sue Sullivan]

I am surprised at how many people pack for their husband's. As a teenager I witnessed my father asking my mother why she dadn't packed a particular pair of sneakers for him for the trip amd then and there I decided I would never have to answer that question. My husband is responsible for his own packing. We do go over the basic itinerary before we go so he has an idea of any special events/circumstances. I have friends who will also fix their husband's breakfasts and lunches on weekends and pack their lunches to take to work. I think maybe I'm just mean since I don't. We do offer to make something foe each other when we are making one for ourselves, but it works both ways.

[my4kids]

I pack for me and 4 kids. Ages 2 - 11. DH packs himself (although I could do a neater job of it) but I check over a list of must haves with him and make sure he packed them. I pack everything (including bulky raincoats) and we had 4 large suitcases (thank God for luggage with wheels, the bigger kids can each pull one) and several carry-ons. I don't make spread sheets, but I do sit down and make a list. I have a column for each person and I kind of go through the week and situations for that person in my head. Example - if I am making a packing list for DS2, I think of him waking up and what his routine is and write down everything he needs through his day. "Wake up - change diaper - write down - Diapers, cream, wipes, make morning milk...write down..sippy cups.... It takes time, but I have never forgotten anything. It helps to make sure all of your laundry is done first before even starting to pack. It is so much easier to just go in their drawers and take out a stack of 7 shorts and 7 tops than too be running around doing various loads of laundry looking for things. Also, if you are staying onsite, and probably even if you are off site, there are laudries if you have an emergency, so don't over pack the extra things, just pack a bag of quarters and a couple travel size containers of detergent.

[juligrl]

I don't pack for DH. It's enough that I have to pack for 2 kids, me and dear dog, I'll wash all his clothes, but he needs to step it up and pack for himself. Everybody gets one suitcase and a backpack, small duffle or tote bag or the like -- dog too for wherever she's going.

[Wickedmom75]

I pack for all 6 of us. Dh does help doing the laundry to get ready for the packing. He picks out what clothes he is wearing and I put it in the suitcse. we are going in sept/oct for free dining and it is a surprise trip so I will have to sneak stuff into the suitcase the week before we leave. I made the decision that for this year we will probably only take 5 pairs of neutral ( jean or Khaki) shorts for each person, but 2 -3 shirts for each of us that way I only have to do 2 loads of shorts to get us through. We are going for 8 days and the last time we went we spent almost a whole day doing laundry , I do not want to have to do that again :rolleyes: oh and we always pack extra socks.

[jenwimett]

Let see, packing has not been my stong suite since DH and I started our own business in July '05. We had a trip planned thrid week in Oct. '05. Wouldn't you know it Hurricane Wilma was going to put a damper on the whole thing!

We were scheduled to fly out Saturday morning. Because of Wilma we had to move our flight up to Friday morning. I found this out Thursday at 3:00pm. Hubby and I still had a lot of work to wrap up before we leaved. I didn't get home until 9:00pm that night and YES I pack for Me, DH, and DS (6).

I ran home and dragged our suitecases out of the basement. Started packing. I was finished in 3 hours crashed at about 12:30am and woke up at 4:00am for our 6:00am flight.

Since this event I have never been good about packing. Even for out little 2 night getaways. It always comes down to the last minute. We have our first WDW trip planned for this September and AS GOD AS MY WITNESS I plan on packing a week before we leave.

I have been reading your posts and it seems that all of you are great planners. I'm wondering are there any other world record breakers in packing like me? ;)

Jen

[shellbelle1971]

Packing routine for our family:

DH always has a bag packed. He logged over 170,000 actual flown miles last year, so he takes care of himself.

Night before trip:
Put littlest 2 to bed.
6 year old collects suitcases--5 for children, one for me.
8 year old collects a "full set" of sunday clothes for each child (he knows what that is), and packs them into each one's bag. Baby's stuff goes into my bag.
10 year old collects 3 days' worth of socks, underwear, and jammies for each child and packs them into each one's bag. She also gets diapers, wipes, toothbrushes, brushes, combs, other personal-hygeine items for each child and packs them.
13 year old collects 2 days' worth of playclothes plus a warm sweatshirt or sweater for each child and packs them into each one's bag. He then packs a diaper bag for the baby. (Not hard-mostly a matter of restocking.)

The above takes about fifteen minutes. I pack my stuff while watching to make sure the kids are putting in the "right" stuff. I spend about ten more minutes after the kids are in bed putting together "airplane quiet/snack bags" and our "timeshare" bag (laundry soap, a few spices, etc.) (DH is in charge of packing up portable dvd players, his laptop, earphones, and movies.)

We all go to bed. In the morning, all I have to do is pack up my toiletries as I use them. Kids eat breakfast and get dressed as usual.

Another 5-10 minutes to load everyone in the car, and away we go.

[pixie dust 112]

In January 2005, we surprised 3 DDs with a trip to WDW. I took off from work the day before the trip to do all the packing in secret and the schools closed for a snow day. I was in the unheated garage in 20 degree weather packing all of the suitcases so the girls wouldn't see me!! Somehow I pulled it off!

Now I have everyone pack their own things (DDs are 10, 12, and 14) and then I go through the suitcases after they're in bed to make sure I approve of what was packed :rotfl: :rotfl2: :lmao: . I always take some things out and add some more. :laughing:

We're going in July this year. :sunny: It's our first summer trip so at least I only have to pack for summer weather and don't have to worry about storing the winter coats in the hotel rooms. 5 winter coats take up alot of space. :crowded:

[disneymom3]

I am surprised at how many people pack for their husband's. As a teenager I witnessed my father asking my mother why she dadn't packed a particular pair of sneakers for him for the trip amd then and there I decided I would never have to answer that question. My husband is responsible for his own packing. We do go over the basic itinerary before we go so he has an idea of any special events/circumstances. I have friends who will also fix their husband's breakfasts and lunches on weekends and pack their lunches to take to work. I think maybe I'm just mean since I don't. We do offer to make something foe each other when we are making one for ourselves, but it works both ways.

I think for many of us it is as I posted previously. I care what DH is wearing on vacation, he does not.

I don't do everything for DH for sure. In fact he does almost all of the laundry for the household. He also packs his own lunch, makes his own coffee everynight for the next day and does any and all ironing he needs to have done. He makes lunch for everyone all weekend and dinner every Sunday.

I just want him to look cute in our vacation pics and wearing the same black tshirt and junky denim shorts everday is not my idea of cute! :rotfl:

[Jrockmom]

I have to pack for 4 people :faint: DH, DS, DD, & myself. If not DS, :crazy: who is 11 will pack all of his clothes that he wears to play in that is comfortable for him but have stains & holes. And DD, who is 6 will pack all of her clothes :eek: . And DH has no idea what to pack :confused: . Thank goodness DS (17) packs himself. I try and try not to forget anything :confused3 but I always do I think I will try making the excel spreadsheet to make sure not to forget anything.

[barkley]

my husband swears there was something in the wedding vows that committed me to this, he just can't seem to locate it on the video ;)

i do it because if i did'nt they would end up wearing the same clothes they travel in (or my son would only pack pjs and dress shirts :crazy: -no pants-just shirts).

i also do it because i tend to pack stuff for the kids that they've either just about outgrown or will have by the next season there needed for (shorts, tanks, swimsuits, dress up clothes)-when we get ready to leave i toss the stuff out and have more room in the suitcases for the "valuable" junk we've accumluated.

we're going to hawaii in november, and i anticipate 99% of what goes with us will not return home.

[Bunchkin]

I do all the packing too. Along with the planning and all that that entails.

I don't mind though. It fits in with my OCD!! :rotfl:

DH is too busy to pack for himself. He's a work-aholic and would probably pack all work clothes if left to his own devices. :teeth: He wouldn't even know where to start. And I like things done a certain way, so I would rather do it myself.

The kids like to pack their own backpacks for the plane or van ride, which ever we are doing. I do inspect what they have packed to make sure it's ok.

And DD ( 9 yrs old) is getting to the age were she can help pack her clothing. I've taught her the roll method!! :thumbsup2

I make lists for everyones things that need to be packed for each person.
And general items and park items as well.

We try to use less luggage every trip, but it never works out that way!! :lmao:

[kkmcan]

I pack for all 4 of us plus the dog ( she goes to the kennel). I do pack for my dh as i feel that he's out working hard so we can afford this vacation. I'll take on that duty so when he gets home we can be out the door. He's a firefighter so he usually gets home at 8:00 am and we leave asap.

He works tons of overtime to pay for us to go so I love to do this for him. He takes care of us and I take care of him.

The only thing I ask him to pack is all the electronic items- camera, camcorder, dvd player, cell phone chargers, laptop computer, nintendos etc. I can't believe how many cords and chargers all this stuff requires! Unbelievable!!!

Kelly