Packing for a holiday is never going to be the same again
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MummyBloggers
It's that time of year again, when many families are shutting down their computers, locking up their houses and heading off on holiday for a couple of weeks. And while destination, length of time away and how you get there are all very different when you become a mum, that's not all that changes!
If you are anything like me, you may start to notice that how you pack now is significantly different to how you did it pre-kids.
Hopefully, I'm not the only one who has experienced these changes!
1. When you start packing
Before kids
Before I became a mum, I was the person out until the wee hours the night before, only to have to go home and start packing at 3am. Oh how times have changed!
After kids
Thinking about packing starts at least two weeks before we're meant to go, and then the actual physical task of doing it begins about a week prior to departure. Leaving it to the last minute is either going to end in disaster or I’m going to forget something really important. Usually the latter.
2. The length of time it takes to complete
Before kids
I remember one trip with the girls that literally involved heading to the shops, picking up an entire new wardrobe and flinging it all into my suitcase a day before we left - oh times have changed!
After kids
Now when we head away I check mine and my daughter’s case at least five times before I close it - and I always give it another quick look right before we finally do leave the house! No longer hours; we're talking days here.
3. What’s in the suitcase
Before kids
Bikinis, shorts, nice tops, towels and a few heels thrown into a bag was usually enough. Lying around on the beach with a cocktail in hand doesn’t really require a lot of stuff!
After kids
It's a little different these days! Now my case is packed with body boards, towels, sheets and some of my daughter’s toys before I even go near my own clothes. My packing list is crammed with sun cream, first aid kits, kid’s clothes, beach toys and anything else you can think of!
4. The size of your suitcase
Before kids
In fairness, I was never really a light traveller. I used to look enviously at those people who could simply travel with a carry-on case and still look immaculate and stylish.
After kids
My big suitcase has just gotten bigger and bigger. I’m happy if we can leave the house with just one case each!
5. The state of the suitcase
Before kids
I would never have been caught walking around the airport with a grubby looking case that had one broken wheel – what would fellow travellers think!
After kids
I don’t care if it’s torn, dirty or has only one working wheel; if it fits everything I need comfortably then I’m happy!
Mary Byrne is a staff writer at MummyPages and mum to a horse-crazy, sports-mad, seven-year-old girl.
