#1 TOYS: My children think that their suitcase is for toys, electronics, and books. It is good thing I can almost always fit their clothes in my suitcase. They want to be prepared by taking every other toy they own. They are getting much better about this through trial and error. My solution? You can take it but you have to carry it, clean it, and repack it.
#2 ELECTRONICS: We really struggle with this. I am as much at fault as my children. Do we really need to bring 2 iPads, a mac, a kindle, 3 phones, a camera, a leap pad, a nintendo 3DS, a leap reader with 3 books and 1200 chargers. I don't have a solution yet. I have started leaving the kindle at home. Thats a start right? |
#3 EXTRA SPACE: Seriously. You think it is not a problem but it is. I have gotten good at the minimal packing thing. So I end up with extra space. Which would be great, if I didn't start grabbing a few extra "might need" items into that carefully created extra space. For some reason, I tend to start adding extra shirts. I have no idea why. I have NEVER worn all of the shirts I packed for any trip I have ever taken.
#4 SMALL CAR: I love my little car. I love the cheap gas milage and the way it fits in tight parking spots. It has a decent size trunk that can easily hold several suitcases but when you add camping gear or beach gear things start to get a little crazy. I try to pack travel sized items and when shopping for any travel gear I go for compact and space saving whenever possible.
#5 LEAKY LUGGAGE: Okay. I love and use lots of ziplock bags and that helps prevent leaky luggage but sometimes it still happens. Sunblock and lipgloss seem to be my biggest offenders. The leaks normally happen in my drawstring backpacks that I use when I am out and about on vacation, not in my main luggage. I am trying to more diligent about PUTTING my lip gloss and sunblock BACK in their own ziplock bags after each use.
What are your biggest packing challenges? How have you solved them and do you have any suggestions of mine?
What are your biggest packing challenges? How have you solved them and do you have any suggestions of mine?