It Was Always Puzzling Packing For My Children

Packing for my children was always so stressful.  I always worry about what I might forget.  My darling husband has always been kind enough to say, “Don’t worry, we can always buy what we need when we get there,” but that isn’t the point to me.  I always feel like it is such a huge waste of money to buy what our children already have.  I began making list, adding to them each vacation, until I had the list perfected, or as close to perfection as I could come.  I have kept organized lists for warm weather, cold weather, in-flight entertainment, carry-on luggage, checked luggage, and optional items for children.   It all sounds a little crazy, until you realize that you can customize the printable lists by crossing off what you don’t need, and checking-off what you have already put into your luggage.  The list can also be altered to fit the individual needs of your child.  Just add what you think might be missing.  If you have a little guy that loves to crawl around on the ground, add more pants, etc.  I hope that my lists reduce the stress that comes with packing.

Mom's Holiday Cookie Recipe and Children Traveling For the Holiday

As we prepare to travel away from our house this holiday season, I remember how much fun it was to bake with my mom as a child, and how much I enjoyed eating the results of our “hard” work.  It is a little more difficult to create those special memories on Christmas for our children because we are away from home.  I have for the past several years, brought a container full of Christmas holiday cookies with us (in my checked luggage).   I think my children will tie the holidays to our family by helping to bake in our kitchen before we leave. 

Here is one of my children’s favorite cookie recipes:

Oat meal Lace Cookies

2 ¼ Cups quick cooking rolled oats

2 ¼ Cups packed light brown sugar

3 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 Cup butter (melted)

1 egg (slightly beaten)

1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract

½ to ¾ Cup chopped nuts

Mix all ingredients, drop by level measuring teaspoon full onto well buttered cookie sheet (spray oils are acceptable).  Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.  Let cookies cool before removing them from the baking sheet.  The cookies will be large and flat like lace.

Safety for Children on Vacation

As you prepare for your family’s holiday vacation in the merry madness of it all, don’t forget to take a few extra steps to insure your children’s safety.  Lucky Little Travelers (http://www.luckylittletraveles.com/ ), a new website dedicated to family travels, recommends a few pre-cautionary safety measures:

1. Teach your children their full name and phone number (including area code), you would be surprised how many 4 year olds don’t know their last name.  All children need written identification on them, meaning write on their hand or use a sticker for little ones.  For older children, give them a copy of the vacation itinerary.
2. Teach your children your full name and their father’s full name. (Grandparents full names, whoever you are visiting, and city name where they are going.  They may not remember, but at least you will know you tried.)
3. Use stickers- preprinted with name, parent’s names, cell phone number (including area code) and address.  Place identification stickers on clothing or use in shoes.  Make sure that your child knows their name and address is in their shoe. (You can buy name tags to run through your printer, or the simple introductory stickers.)  Include if you can, cell phone numbers (including area code), home phone numbers (including area codes),  home address, and your child’s pediatrician’s phone number (including area code), and an emergency contact number.
4. Take a photo, with your camera phone or camera, of each child on vacation, at the beginning of each day.  It will I.D. them in the outfit that they are wearing that day, and vacation photos are wonderful memories so it is a two for one.  Also, all adults on vacation should carry current photos of your children.
5. If you should decide to purchase a more costly I.D.  bracelets or dog tag, you should include:  cell phone numbers (including area code), home phone numbers (including area codes),  home address, and your child’s pediatrician’s phone number (including area code), and an emergency contact number.
6. For older children:  Be sure they are told hotel names and number, and give them a copy of your itinerary to carry with them in their backpack.

Easy Organized Packing for Children on Vacation

Entertaining children in-flight or in the car can be a tricky task.  We at Lucky Little Travelers have created a printable in-flight (or car) packing list filled with great ideas.  These lists come from years of experience of traveling with children.  You can add to the list with activities that you know your child is interested in, thereby creating a customized list of activities for your child.  Our lists are always free for your use and they come in a printable format.
Lucky Little Travelers (www.luckylittletravelers.com) is a new website dedicated to family travel with children.  Our purpose is to aid you in a stress free vacation.  Packing is always challenging and we can help alleviate some of the pressure.

Packing list for Children for Cold Weather or Warm Weather Vacations

Organized Packing List for Your Children's Vacation

Organize your children's packing for your holiday vacation.  We (http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/) have printable packing checklists for cold and warm weather vacations.  We also have a printable packing list for both carry-on and checked luggage.  If you are wondering how you will entertain your children for the long plane or car trip, we have printable packing list that can help aid you.  Family vacations should be fun, unfortunately it is stressful to prepare for them, our goal is to ease your stress.  Please check our new website:  http://www.luckylittletravelers.com/  We are a new website and still building.  If you don't find what you are looking for please check back with us.