Anyone else have to pack for the whole family alone?

[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!!

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!!

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!!

 

[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 ) 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

 

[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 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!

 

[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 ). 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!

 

[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 . . .

 

[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!

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

 

[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'! ).
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 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.
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.