For us a plan is a must to make coming home from school, wolfing down dinner, running out the door to wrestling/soccer/football/boy scouts an easy transition.
My first tip and making this easier with a toddler.
1. Keep the diaper bag stocked. I don't mean just diapers, wipes, and a change of clothes. I mean healthy snacks that will keep. Preferably in a reclosable container P.S. I keep them for the older boys too just don't tell their friends I keep them in the diaper bag. Ex: boxes of raisins, those nice puree fruit pouches with the little twist-on cap).
2. Keep a few band aids and a plastic bag in your car or diaper bag just in case.
3. Keep a full sippy cup with you. You never know when you might need it with a toddler.
We're planning our first family vaca in August. We're driving and it's going to be a 10 hr drive. For long trips:
4. Plan on taking a reusable shopping back with things like pretzels, beef jerky, and hard candies to keep everyone happy and reduce spending, impulse stops, and whining lol
5. A small cooler tote with a drink for each person and maybe some string cheese, grapes, apples, whatever you like.
6. Keep some plastic bags in the car for things like: diaper changes, um car sickness emergency (but hopefully not) and garbage collection at rest stops. That is also a good tip for every day trips.
7. Pre-charge all your devices your taking that need charged: ipods, DSs, cell phones whatever. This will hopefully save you from that "mom i'm bored are we there yet?" Anything take batteries?
8. Print out directions, map your route, or set destinations in your GPS ahead of time. Some of your destinations may even have a website with suggestions on where to go.
9. If your hotel/resort brochure or website doesn't specifically say if they offer something you might need: IE. a crib, hair dryer, etc, call them. You may not need to drag the pack and play, hair dryer, etc with you.
We're planning on getting up early to start this trip. I'm thinking coffee for and the hubs. Seattle's Best Coffee has convenient new grab and go Iced Lattes. Socialmoms.com had this link to a $1.50 off coupon Save $1.50 on a 4 pack today!
So I'm thinking this might be a great idea for the trip too.
10. Last tip, and this applies to all trips. Take your time and be careful. It's better to be 15 minutes late than to not get there at all.
What tips do you have for making life easier on the go?
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seattle’s Best Coffee blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here
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