Summer Vacation Essentials - Write It Down!

As a child and into my teens, I spent summers with my family north of Toronto or in Canada's breathtaking Maritime provinces.  Whether it was for a weekend or a full week, we always had a very organized way of packing that made travelling with 6 people or more (2 adults, 4 kids, and sometimes a tag-along friend) easy!  I now do the same when travelling with my husband and 2 boys.  Our summer cottage vacations are a 4-hour drive away - forgetting an essential item at home is not an option!  To avoid this from happening, I start a Cottage Spreadsheet a week before we leave, adding to it each day.  We use it to pack, and to double-check.

It may seem tedious, but it works for us.  It's extremely rare that we forget something important.  Having to run around Northern Ontario buying things we already have at home doesn't seem like a fun way to spend a vacation!

Here is an example of this year's spreadsheet (still in the works):

COTTAGE LIST 2011
MOM & DAD		BIG-A		LIL-J		MISC
swimwear		ladybug pillow		baby monitor		bedtime books for boys
alarm clock		Ace doll		diapers/wipes		small lego tub
daily meds		pull ups		facecloths		colouring stuff
first aid kit		Big-A bodywash		Lil-J shampoo		board games
advil		5 x shorts / t's		Lil-J soap		play pool
boys meds		2xpants/long shirts		2 stuffed toys		life jackets
crocks/runners/flipflops		2xpj's (short&long)		blankies		sunscreen
sweater each		swim shorts / white t's		Lil-J food		laptop / ipod / chargers
water shoes		1 hoody sweater		cream (face & body)		portable dvd player
		water shoes		5 x shorts / t-shirts		movies
				2xpants / long shirts		DS & games
				2 x pj's (short & long)		car drawing boards for boys
				swim shorts / white t's		sun hats
				1 hoody sweater		bananagrams/bingo
				water shoes		humidifier

I even make a list for meal plans.  When other family members are at the cottage too, it's makes it easier to split up meals.  This way we know what food to bring, what food to buy, and what day we're cooking.

If your child is old enough, have him/her write or type up their own list, even down to specific bedtime toys or books or car games/toys that they want to bring.  This will help to avoid last-minute additions to suitcases and will quicken the packing process.  It will also help to teach them responsibility.  Give them a limit - 4 books and 2 bedtime toys.  Let them make a decision on what they will bring.

The great thing about using a list to pack for a trip is that you also have a guide when packing to go home.  Leaving things behind at a cottage is far worse than leaving things behind at home!  Bring an extra copy of the list with you and check items off as you pack them up.

Vacation is fun, and should be stress-free.  Packing and unpacking can be a hassle, so why not make life easier and use a list to help?  It will help to keep things organized, and will help to avoid lost or forgotten items.