I am not a morning person so it's going to be painful. But I can try to sleep on the airplane and remind myself that we're on VACATION.
We're headed to Gettysburg. Then Williamsburg. And finally North Carolina to visit my husband's mom and sister. Part of the trip will be by plane. But the other part is by vehicle. And we have the kids with us, so that can cause me to be like..
I have ideas on what to bring when traveling with children and yes, alcohol is involved.
1. Headphones. For them. Having to listen to their ridiculous games on the iPod or YouTube videos can be irritating. Also, pick up a pair for you. The noise canceling ones are fabulous.
2. Earplugs. If headphones aren't for you, get some of these.
3. Booze. You know. If the headphones or earplugs didn't help. But never ever while driving. Obviously.
4. Chocolate. If you aren't into booze. Honestly, I don't drink much. I prefer the sweets. I'll eat my feelings, no problem.
5. A nanny. Pawn the children off on her. Or him. I'm not opposed to male nannies. Granted, I'm not Mariah Carey so I don't have the cash for a nanny. Sadly. But if I did, I'd be all, "Kids, you're going with Mary Poppins, see ya when we arrive at our destination!"
6. Entertainment. For them. For you. I usually buy new toys from the dollar spot at Target and hand those over to the kids. They also have Nintendo 3DSes so I get them a new game. This generally keeps them quiet. Entertainment for me means trashy magazines and books. I tell the kids not to bug me unless it's an emergency.
I'm sure everything will go smoothly. My kids are older, which means they're slightly more patient when we travel. They have their moments of course, but you know, that's when I can bring out the earplugs...
Posts
Hahahaha!!! Enjoy your vacation!'
ReplyDeleteOmg I am so with you right now! We just got back from "vacation" with a 13 month old. I needed a nanny for sure!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely need some booze! Hehe Have a great time!
ReplyDeletehaha. good luck!
ReplyDeleteBwahahahaha. This is the best post packing tip post I have EVER read. You hit the nail on the head with all of these. I love my kids, but let's not sugar coat it. Kids can be awful sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI always pack twice as many outfits as I think I need because kids get dirty. I also bring earplugs to keep the noise out at night.
ReplyDeleteYou need snacks for the kids to keep them quite and busy!! Hope the trip went as smooth as possible even at the crack of dawn!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post! I am currently on holiday with my own two so totally get this!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and her husband just got back from a cross country trip with their three boys - 5, 3 and 1. She's got nerves of steel, but I'm sure a glass or two of wine was in order each night after she finally got them all three to sleep.
ReplyDeleteI found small snack packs were great to pack too. I love the Dollar Store toy idea. Something new that they're not going to lose interest in right away would be nice.
ReplyDeleteHahaha I love this!!! Have an amazing vacation!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with needing all of these essentials, especially those ear plugs! Whether with kids or alone, I never travel without ear plugs. They are perfect for crowded planes and noisy hotel rooms.
ReplyDeleteAhah such a funny post! I remember myself as a kid... must have been pretty awful for my parents to have all the noise. Have an amazing holiday
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a must have list!! I might have a few other things I'd add, but this is a great start!
ReplyDeleteHaha I wouldn't have an idea when to start packing with kids, but it sounds like the perfect start to a list for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you travel with kids. And thank you for their headphones. Sometimes parents will blast their child's game or show in public places and I want to strangle them (the parents, not the kids).
ReplyDeleteHeadphones were a life saver for roadtrips! And I always made sure an adult beverage was nearby as soon as we arrived to our final destination :)
ReplyDeleteHaha INDEED to all the above! Had me laughing from the start. So true too! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteOh yes...plus lots and lots of snacks. My kids get HANGRY, so I need food readily available.
ReplyDeleteEntertainment is so important to bring when we go on a trip. I wish I could bring a Nanny along. I will have to try some ear plugs next time.
ReplyDeletehahaha yes these are musts for traveling! Hope you get there with some sanity still intact!
ReplyDeleteThese are too funny. I think you've got a lot of them right! Wouldn't it be nice to have a nanny all the time?
ReplyDeleteThis post cracked me up. kids can be crazy; we need crazy ideas!
ReplyDeleteYES to headphones and entertainment!! I recently traveled for 18 hours in the car with my niece and the iPad and headphones were a lifesaver!
ReplyDeleteHow fun to be heading off on a fabulous family adventure. Chocolate is the perfect pick-me-up for stressful travel situations. Booze - maybe. Hahahaa. But entertainment for the kiddos is definitely a must. Many good wishes for a wonderful vacation!
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny post. Gadgets are definitely lifesavers when traveling with the kiddos.
ReplyDeleteChocolate is a brilliant idea. I always bring snacks for others but never think of myself.
ReplyDeleteTravel and kids aren't always things that go together. But the right attitude and a good set of noise cancelling headphones do wonders.
ReplyDeleteHaha noise cancelling headphones is a must. Especially when the kids are crying- Lol I am kidding- but they are good for drowning out any unwanted sound x
ReplyDeleteI love this list. Its accurate and totally honest. I'm loving the chocolate and earplug ideas!!
ReplyDeleteSigh. A nanny. I was just thinking today how much I want one for mornings here. We still can't get it together and at least three out of four of us are fairly self-sufficient. No offense to Des, but he's.. five.
ReplyDeleteFor us, bringing food and gadgets with headphones is a must. We also bring medicine just in case we get motion sickness.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for the headphones for kids with devices. It's extremely rude to allow children to blare their games in a confined area without consideration for people around them. I was on a flight one time where a parent refused to make their child mute their device - and the flight attendant refused to deal with it. By the time our flight landed, I had a serious migraine. I don't like it in restaurants, either. Thank you for reinforcing this with your kids.
ReplyDeleteHave an enjoyable trip! This is a handful list. Love to pack snacks and neck rest when travelling long haul.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine all the challenges!!
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I love traveling, even if it is a challenge at times. And, yes, don't forget the booze.
ReplyDeleteHa! I'm like you - I don't drink much but you better give me my chocolate!! I HAVE to have it when I travel - and if I forget it, there's always those overpriced stores at the airport!
ReplyDeleteHow funny! Booze and chocolates...are must haves for me! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewww.gregdemcydias.com
I love your post. I hope you guys enjoy your vacation and having headphones is a must for any trip. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am not yet a parent but I can relate to it for my friends kids. Haha Chocolates makes them hyper and iphones and gadgets makes them stay put over the rest of the flight then food alternate.
ReplyDeleteMy father always travels with earplugs. It's not always for the noise.
ReplyDeleteMy son is now a teen so no big deal for us when it comes to traveling. But even when he was younger, he was never a problem. Lucky me, I guess. :) Enjoy your vacay!
ReplyDelete-Lynndee
Booze. Booze. All the booze. LOL! Because booze helps everything.
ReplyDeleteSo, so funny, and that photograph! I can honestly say on my last flight I got so fed up of my hubby and son that I actually found an empty seat and moved.
ReplyDeleteLOL you said alcohol is definitely involved. I don't see why not. Pack it up! I would pack wine on any trip lol
ReplyDeletehaha This is the greatest packing list I read.With kids,you will sure need all these.I love the idea of ear plugs and a nanny.Because travelling with my kid never give me much relaxing time... :) :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I actually laughed out loud. On a serious note, this is an excellent list :D
ReplyDeleteThere's no way we couldn't be able to go anywhere without some entertainment. Thankfully my oldest is starting to get used to wearing headphones as well.
ReplyDelete