Packing Essentials for Traveling Parents

As we embarked on another adventure as a family, I started thinking about all the things I could share on here as my top travel mom tips for packing… what snacks  to bring, what to wear on flights, and any other things that could set you up for success when flying with littles. 

While all this is important to get you to feel prepared, I was reminded on our trip to Tahoe of the things that really lead to a great trip as a family. 

We headed to the airport on a Wednesday morning at 3:30 AM. I’d been up since 2:15, my husband, shortly after, and we’d only gone to bed about 4 hours before after packing everything and getting it in the car the night before. (Side note: why does it always seem like the day before vacation, all the “fire drills” happen at work and neither my husband or I wrap up at our planned time?). The flight was on time, I fueled up with a protein shake and pre-workout so I was ready to go for a morning of cross country travel with our little family, plus my siblings and their kids, and my parents. All of us arrived at the airport ahead of time, got through security with no delays, and we had a few minutes (we thought) to head into the airport lounge for a free coffee and quick breakfast snack. 

As we arrived at the gate just before our boarding time, we noticed that there was no movement by anyone yet towards the gate. As the first flight out at 5:40 AM, I felt a little worried, but figured the crew was still readying the plane. Flash forward 4 hours later due to an FAA fiasco, we finally left the gate. Luckily our connecting flight was also delayed from the same issue that day, so we would make that with no problem, but the kids were getting tired and I knew I was also getting tired so the challenge was coming hard and fast, and I couldn’t stop it. 

Blakeley, my 4 year old, had been telling me she wanted a nap since the last flight was about to end, but I tried to encourage her to wait as we didn’t have a stroller, and the layover was only 1 hour, but of course telling a 4-year old that is pointless as she doesn’t understand time or that mommy can’t carry bags plus a sleeping child while chasing her 2 year old sister (hubby was on bag duty and also getting us food). And that’s when we both got tired of the challenges. My patience with her taking off her shoes and laying on the ground in the airport after the morning we had wore thin and I yelled in my angry voice “Blakeley, GET UP NOW! These floors are disgusting and you might get stepped on.”

We’ve all been there as parents. For me, I’m constantly working to do this less becoming I never felt compelled to yell until I had kids. I brought my tone back down and reconnected with my daughter on her level, but was still bubbling inside and also needed a nap. During the floor sprawling she had gotten her pants wet and was now upset about her wet pants needing to be changed immediately while not understanding why I wouldn’t strip them off in a busy airport terminal. End of the story, we made it to a rest room that had a long line and we got changed by the baby changing station instead of in a stall, but all was well aside from us both being overtired. As I walked back with her to our family, my sister in law took one look at my face and laughed. I knew I had “I’m over this.” Written all over my face. 

I share this story first to let you know that although I’ll likely highlight the magical memories in the future and depending on where you’re at in your motherhood journey, think “wow, she has it together. I can do better” , know that I’m just like you. A mom trying to do my best.

So here are my tips:

Do your best. 

#1 rule of parenting, while traveling or not. Your best is yours alone and it changes all the time. Continue learning what your best looks like so you know what your standard is. 

Pack a suitcase full of patience. Carry it on with you and don’t check it below. 

Traveling with young kids is not for the faint of heart. For me, remembering my tiny humans are still developing their brains and that I’m their source of regulation helps keep me accountable when emotions and stimulation runs high. 

Look for the helpers. 

I am always wrapped in kindness from strangers during my travels. Whether it’s a kind business traveler gently reminding me I have one more bag as I head away from security, a simple friendly smile and chuckle as my kids loop de loop on the moving walkways for the millionth time, or a flight attendant letting us know that a row opened up elsewhere on the plane where we can have an extra seat for our squirmy lap child. There’s always kindness abound and can be a great opportunity to look for it when you’re feeling the stress of the day.

When your kids act out, check your reflection first. 

Whether I like it or not, my emotions rule our household. It’s a beautiful superpower to have as a mother, but also can be my kryptonite. This trip, just like any regular day, reminded me to check in with myself when my kids became emotionally dysregulated.

Find moments of joy. 

Whether it’s a smile from your just-as-weary partner, or the laughter from your child enjoying the excitement of an airplane taking off, find those moments throughout the travel day and be mindful of them because they’ll fuel your fire to keep going. 

One practical tip…just because 🙂

As I sit on an airplane writing this amidst a crazy day of travel, where I’ve been peed on, and I’m currently sweating through my shirt as my 2 year old sleeps soundly on my lap, I’ll throw one other practical tip in here: Dress in layers and pack a change of clothes for you too. You’ll thank me for that one later. 

Don’t forget to pack your mindset.

To summarize, you can prepare and pack all the “things”, but if you don’t prepare and pack “you” with the right mindset for the day, the adventures in travel as a parent might kick you in the rear.