My dad is a lean, mean, packing machine, and I like to think I got those genes from him. I get a kick out of planning and packing efficiently, and love arriving at a location when everything I need and nothing more.
I also struggle with self doubt and the tendency to want be over-prepared.
Cylon and I have been doing our big trip to Tobago since about a year and a half after we got married. This summer we’ll have been married for 12 years. We have agreed that we can’t remember how many times we have made the trip, but are pretty sure this is #9.
I mentioned in my post about packing for travel with kids that I have lists detailing what each person in the family needs for the trip. I edit and hone them every time we come down.
The lists only work when I use them.
One of my favorite family rituals is bedtime reading.
At our house, it has many forms. Dad might read to the littles while Mom reads to the bigs. Sometimes there is a special book for just one or two kids that they get to stay up later for (read: Harry Potter). One parent might read to everyone, or the bigger kids may hang out in the living room and read quietly to themselves.
Confession: it doesn’t happen every night. But it is something we all enjoy.
When we’re traveling, just getting the kids to bed at a decent hour can be a challenge. Still, I like to bring a couple of books along. We typically make time for it every few nights during the trip. It can be a great way to gather together and settle down at the end of the day.
Here’s what we’re reading on this trip.
We left The Compound around 11 a.m. in two cars.
Despite many opportunities to join us, our oldest begged off. Roads here are narrow, winding, and frequently change elevation; even dramamine didn’t make a drive appealing to him.
We drove north to Castara, stopping along the way to see a little waterfall a short walk down a stairway, and just out of sight of the road.
(Photo Credit: Kimona Paramour Photography)
Like the trip to your destination, once you arrive, there are some things you can’t control. There may be days where the unfamiliar food is a thrill to everyone in your family…except one very unhappy person. Maybe everyone is ready to sleep except for the ones who need it the most.
As an adventure-loving homebody, I need a certain amount of familiarity to feel comfortable, and try to provide the same thing for the rest of the fam while we are away from home.
I’ve read so many tips for easing travel with kids, and most of them involved mess or more work for the parents (individually wrapped gifts to be opened hourly on the flight, anyone?) And any parent knows that if your kid is having a certain kind of day, NOTHING you do is going to help.
With something like this, you just have to say a prayer and put on your game face.
