Oh my word... when did packing become so difficult?!?!?!

[kldmom2000]

We leave in just under 39 hours now..... I have not packed a thing.

Why?

Because I have an 8 yr old and an almost 6 yr old. Both girls. Both trying to pack their own stuff. It's mostly stuffed animals and dolls. I pull them out. We have tears and meltdowns....

Whenever I attempt to start packing, one of them has torn apart something somewhere or needs my help doing something.... kids keep showing up in my yard to play with my girls but I don't like to leave my girls outside unattended esp. when we don't have a fence so I have to keep going outside so I end up playing neighborhood babysitter....

Can you say STRESS?!?!??!?!

Thank heavens it's SUPPOSED to rain tomorrow so I can keep us cooped up here and try this again tomorrow....

 

[happymommy]

When they aren't looking, just pack FOR them! I don't let my kids pack for themselves - my son wants to bring his toys and junk still!

Good luck!

 

[Ppufi]

Try packing right before they awaken, maybe.

 

[vcgirl925]

Wait until your dh gets home. Have him take them somewhere or go outside with them and do it yourself!

 

[wifey1220]

My 3 yr old boy has been packed since March. We don't leave till Sept 13th. He had to buy a ton of shirts at the disney store but refuses to wear them untill we get to disney. He has also packed toys and stuffed animals and costumes lots of costumes. I plan on unpacking his suitcase. Picking out the oufits I want him to take and saying they must be packed . What ever room is left in the suitcase is his to take what he wants. He only has a little pilot case so he can't fit too much. I hope!!

 

[madmom1030]

When we travel I make a list for my dds who are 6 and 8 of what they need to pack. I write it down for my 8 year old but give it to my 6 year old verbally. So I tell her bring me 7 shirts. When she is done I tell her the next thing I need. I also pack everything they need for a day (shorts, shirt, sock and underwear)in a ziploc bag so that they just have to pull out a bag and have everything they need. They normally help me put their outfits together. I also double check everything. Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[happymommy]

Also, my kids are allowed to pack some stuff in a backpack, toys, video games, etc. If they have that control, you can pack the actual suitcase.

Tell them they can bring a little stuff in their smaller "travel bag". They honestly don't need a lot of distractions at Disney - but I understand them wanting some things from home. My kids used to also bring a special item to sleep with (for us it was blankies). It had to fit into the backpack.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We make a rule about the dolls/stuffed animals. She is allowed to bring 3. Two are allowed on the plane with her and the 3rd has to go in luggage. She gets to pick which 3 come with her. It has worked well for us.

 

[chloe770]

Whenever I attempt to start packing, one of them has torn apart something somewhere or needs my help doing something.... kids keep showing up in my yard to play with my girls but I don't like to leave my girls outside unattended esp. when we don't have a fence so I have to keep going outside so I end up playing neighborhood babysitter....

Can you say STRESS?!?!??!?!

Thank heavens it's SUPPOSED to rain tomorrow so I can keep us cooped up here and try this again tomorrow....

We lead very simaliar lives. I always a house or yard full of kids. Have you tried renting a new release movie? That may buy you 45 minutes to an hour ?

Also, I let my son 5 pack his own small carry on bag. Whatever he can fit in it he can bring, but he is responsible for carrying the bag and making sure everything makes it home.

 

[cjackearl]

The last time my 9-year-old dd spent the night with a friend, she packed her own suitcase. She picked a strangely large suitcase for just overnight, so I told her I needed to double check that she had everything. She had packed, I kid you not, FIFTEEN Webkinz!! BUT, no underwear or toothbrush! Show's where her priorities lie, I guess!

 

[sk!mom]

Starting at 5 or 6, I had my DD help me pack. I would give instructions and she would fetch. Try, "Bring me your 7 favorite pairs of shorts with shirts to match." "We need 2 or 3 swimsuits." etc... Kept her busy and we got it down. Now at 12, she packs herself with a little supervision and a few suggestions from me.

Have fun on your trip. I hate packing so I trained my kids to pack themselves as quickly as possible.

We just traveled with a group of 21 and I was amazed that one mom in our group packed for the whole family even her husband. That would almost make me want to stay home.

 

[mommytoone]

I pack, but let my DD7 help. She will pick what she wants, and I will pack it. We do it together. If she packed we would have to bring every piece of clothing she owns.

 

[Luhts]

I was amazed that a one mom in our group packed for the whole family even her husband. That would almost make me want to stay home.

My dh has learned to pack for himself...one trip we took I forgot to pack t-shirts for him, and another I forgot his underwear!

My 3 y/o regularly tries to do his own packing...I let him pack whatever he wants, then when he is not looking I just take out what is not coming. I know your kids are older, but you could still secretly remove unwanted items at the last minute.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We had a rule about stuffed animals on trips. If we were flying, they could each bring one. If we were going in the car, they could each bring two. Any activities they choose to bring (books, magazines, toys, etc.) have to fit into their backpacks and they have to carry them by themselves the whole time. This tends to cut down on the amount of things they just can't do without. Now that they're a little older, their main "toys" are iPods and Nintendos which take up less room than dump trucks!

I'm still doing the packing for my boys and they're 13 and almost 10. I have them help and tell me if there's anything specific they want to wear, but I count out the underwear and socks and make sure they actually put the things into their suitcases. It also ensures that their clothes will actually match!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

We just traveled with a group of 21 and I was amazed that a one mom in our group packed for the whole family even her husband. That would almost make me want to stay home.

Sadly I do this...I wouldn't do it on a "regular" day but I have to approve DH's Disney wardrobe!!!!

 

[Temair]

Okay I admit it I pack for all of us. MY DD can help me pack her bag. DH will probably be at work so I'll take care of it for him. DH would probably pack dress pants and long sleeve shirts not shorts and t-shirts. I also use a nice list so that I don't forget anything. Only 37 days left to go. I havn't started packing yet, but I do have a Disney box for things I don't want to forget that are just for disney.

Last time i let DH pack for himself he packed allright and then left it inside the door of the house and drove off. Me and DD we already at the condo with my parents, he was bringing just himself. Needless to say we ended up having to buy him another outfit so he had at least 1 change of clothes. It was a good thing the condo had a washer and dryer.

 

[vcgirl925]

My dh has learned to pack for himself...one trip we took I forgot to pack t-shirts for him, and another I forgot his underwear!

My 3 y/o regularly tries to do his own packing...I let him pack whatever he wants, then when he is not looking I just take out what is not coming. I know your kids are older, but you could still secretly remove unwanted items at the last minute.

I have always done ALL the packing for everyone. My dh packs the electronics and that's about it. But..i like packing and planning so it's fine with me.

 

[chloe770]

I usually ask DH to pull out what he wants to pack then I add in everything he forgets.

 

[ChristusG]

I feel your pain LOL!

My four year old freaks if she's not allowed to bring her very favorite toys. We bought her a rolling backpack a few years ago. It has about five pockets in it. She can stuff whatever she can fit into there. And then she's allowed to bring three stuffed animals (the kid is a stuffed animal addict and would bring 20 if I would let her). I pack her clothing/etc.

 

[Rylee]

Give them their own bag (backpack or carry-on) to pack.

We do this but still limit the number of items they are allowed to bring.