Tips For Hassle-Free Traveling With Your Family

The number one thing that I always tell my clients and even my friends and family is to do things that will make your life easier. Life is hard enough, don't make it more difficult for yourself.  Planning ahead, making lists, and accomplishing tasks in the moment (even if you really don't want to) will save you time and sanity in the long run, so get up and get it done! Here are my top tips to make traveling (whether solo or with your family) much easier:

Make a list. This can apply to many aspects of life, but making a list when traveling is especially important. It can be easy to forget something minor that I wanted to bring, and it can be a big disappointment if I forget something important I needed to bring, so I make a list. Start with the most obvious and also important things, going all the way down to something as simple as dental floss. Make a "to pack" list as well as a "morning of" list. There are tasks that I can accomplish ahead of time, and tasks that have to wait until right before I lock the door (some of you may need to add that to your "morning of" list, and that's fine!). Regardless of when I do things, or what I'm going to bring, writing it all down gets it out of my already clogged head and onto paper where I can hold myself accountable.

This one sounds obvious, but if I'm already on a roll of forgetting things, I'm more likely to forget this one too - SNACKS. Don't forget the snacks. I like to do a separate grocery trip just for the food and snacks that I will need for my trip, either in the car or for the actual trip itself. Snacks are stored in a plastic bin in an easily accessible place in the car so I can quickly grab and give. There is nothing worse than hungry kids screaming in the back of the car because no one can reach the chips. Plus, I like snacks too LOL!

Invest in portable DVD players for the car. Letting the kids relax and watch their favorite movie on a long car ride never gets old. Concerned about too much screen time? Plan ahead during the week by limiting screens then - that way once travel time comes they have lots of free time stacked up waiting to be used! They'll stay quiet (mostly) and won't be asking "Are we there yet?" the whole entire way - only between switching movies.

Clean the car out. "I love traveling with a messy car." - said no one ever. Put the soccer cleats away, throw out all the old french fries, and vacuum and wipe all surfaces. I never regret it, no matter how long it takes me. The ride in the car is part of the whole travel experience, so making it a positive one will start your vacation off right!

Once my car is cleaned out, I pack it. I always pack everything that I possibly can the night before. The morning of a travel day can be hectic and stressful even for the best of us, so I like to make my life easier by getting the bulk of the work done prior to. Suitcases, snacks/dvds, and any extras I may need for the ride such as my EZPass or cash can be packed the night before. The only thing that I pack the morning of  is my last minute bag including toothbrushes, AM meds, or anything else that I still need right up until I walk out the door.

I find it a lot less stressful if I put my energy into unpacking once I arrive at my destination versus trying to make and keep my suitcase looking presentable while also living out of it during my trip. It's impossible. Once I started unpacking my belongings upon arrival I have never not unpacked. When you're living out of a suitcase, plus your whole family is living out of their suitcases, things can get a little chaotic. Worrying about where my underwear went to should not be part of the itinerary!

Keep dirty clothes in a "to wash" bag. You'll thank yourself later when you're home and the clean/dirty have already been sorted. To piggy back off of this, run the load of dirty clothes as soon as you unpack, which brings us to my next tip.

I unpack as soon as I get home! Don't put tasks off till later that you can do now. I'm always tired and maybe a little irritable, but I always thank myself once it's done. My clean things are put away, my dirty clothes are being washed, everything has been reset, and I just got home. Your weekend getaway shouldn't last longer than the weekend - so don't procrastinate unpacking! 

I've learned to implement each and every single one of theses tips into my own travel routines and they have truly changed the game for me and my family. Not only is packing/unpacking and traveling easier, but those added stresses just aren't there anymore, and it feels so good. 

If you found any of this helpful, please comment and let me know what your favorite tip was! And as always, if you want more organizing tips, tricks, and inspiration follow KB Organizing Company @kborganizingco on Instagram and Facebook!