Vacation Planning From a Mom’s Perspective

Planning a vacation, specifically a family vacation, is not for the faint of heart. As a mom, specifically this mom, it is completely full of blood, sweat and tears. Last week our family traveled to Hawaii. It was a wonderful trip that we will never forget, spent on the beautiful island of Oahu visiting my husband's sister and her husband and kids. 

The day we returned - after finishing the fifth load of laundry and emptying the sand from our suitcases and shoes - I reflected on what actually goes into planning a vacation for our family. So I decided to share my to-do list(s) with you all. And as a bonus, my husband's to-do list is at the end.

My to-do list:

Long-term:

• Convince husband we need go to Hawaii
  
• Check our calendar and figure out the best time for us to go with kids activities in full swing
• After loads of research, book the flight
• Build excitement with the kids for the next several months
• Start an envelope "fun money" fund
• Coordinate with my sister-in-law to figure out transportation, lodging, vehicles, activities, etc.
• Make sure husband takes time off of work, stay on the phone with him while he physically schedules his time off to be sure it gets done

Week before:

• Call two schools to let them know the kids will miss two days of school
• Let dance teachers know the kids will miss dance class
• Confirm flight and seating arrangements
• Plan and buy decorations for the girls birthday party I planned for two days after we return from Hawaii
• Check the swimwear status of family members and buy new suits
• Check the water/hiking shoe status of family members and buy new shoes
• Write out a schedule of planned activities for the week we're on vacation
• Begin checking the weather to help with packing (only 8-100 times daily)
• Confirm details with sister-in-law
• Worry about every single detail concerning this trip

Short-term:

• Shop for flight snacks... 8-hour flight and no meal on the plane
• Charge all electronics to be used on the plane...again, 8-hour flight
• Make sure everyone has working earbuds...again, 8-hour flight
• Create a packing list for kids to attempt to pack themselves and check their work...then re-pack them
• Pack my own clothes, trying not to cry because my shorts don't fit as well as they did last summer
• Meticulously roll and fold all clothing items in an attempt to fit one week's worth of clothing for five people into two suitcases
• Shop for last minute supplies needed (sunscreen, travel-sized items, etc.)
• Buy the kids their favorite gum to chew during takeoff
• Line up people to check our mail
• Have kids pack their carry-on bags
• Double check there are no liquids in the kids carry-on bags 
• Triple check there are no liquids in the kids carry-on bags
• Check flight status
• Print and pack boarding passes
• Make sure husband and I both have our driver's licenses

Morning of:

• Check flight status
• Make sure everyone is up and dressed appropriately for a winter morning and a tropical afternoon
• Pack all devices that were charging overnight
• Pack chargers
• Pack last minute toiletries into the suitcases
• Weigh the suticases to make sure they're under 50lbs
• Double check all doors are locked and lights are off and things unplugged
• Check one more time there is no liquid in kids carry-on bags (the squishy toy goes in the checked luggage just in case)
• Make sure we're out the door at the appropriate time
• Make sure we're out the door with the appropriate gear
• Make sure garage door closes behind us

Plus a million other things. In each category.

My husband's to-do list:

• Lay out his clothes for me to pack
• Finance the vacation

Like I said, vacation planning is not for the faint of heart. But so worth it to see the joy on our kid's faces! 

Until Next Time,

Neko