It can be hard to plan what you’ll need on the plane, let alone what you will need when you get to your new destination. Knowing what you might need is important, and learning how to let go of things once you have to much is even more vital. Be smart about packing your suitcases, and travel light on the plane. It will relieve stress and make the flight go by in no time. Here are some ideas for parents and children.
What to Pack in Your Suitcase and Carry-On Items
You should take enough clothes for a week or two, a comfortable pair of shoes, a jacket, and enough underwear for about 2 weeks. Take your laptop and charger and pack it in between all of your clothes for extra padding. Take a few toiletries in travel sizes and double secured in plastic baggies. You should also pack a house phone in case your personal goods are delayed. Extra snacks for the kids like cereal and granola bars are also a fantastic idea, especially when you arrive completely exhausted at your new home and you dont want to go to the commissary right away.
Try to pack as little as possible in your carry on items. Take a small book, or get a Kindle Wireless Reading Device before you leave to pack multiple books at a time. Take an MMP3 player like an iPod and headphones, a wallet, a small camera, and any medicine you might need.
What to Pack in the Kids’ Suitcases and Carry-On Items
Pack at least two weeks of clothes, cups, plates, utensils, a small booster chair for smaller kids, and enough clean socks, underwear and diapers. If you have a baby, take at least two bottles with you, and pack the rest in their suitcase. For older kids, pack a few books, things to keep them busy, and things that remind them of their old home. If you are moving to a cold climate from a warm sunny beach, surprise them by packing some sand and shells in a bottle and placing it in their suitcase for them to discover.
A child’s carry on item should be filled with favorite comfort items and activities. A blankey, teddy, whatever it may be. Pack an extra pair of clothes and underwear, more than enough diapers to get through the trip to be covered, and some snacks. Also include activities that will get the kids through the plane ride.
Efficient and Entertaining Kids Activities for the Plane Ride
Most planes have TVs with kids channels and movies that can be ordered with a credit card. Another idea is to buy movies on an iPod through iTunes and let each kid take turns. You can also download kids games from the App store through an Apple iPod touch
Consider buying handheld game consuls for kids like a Leap Frog Leapster2 Learning Game System
Also reconsider activity books and crayons, especially for the under 4 age group. They will drop their crayons, whether or on purpose or on accident, and then you’re stuck fishing for them between people’s legs. Stick with the handheld systems. Even if you think your child might be too young, they will have fun poking and prodding away at the system, and they will inevitably grow into it
Think Positive Thoughts
This many sound basic, and maybe obnoxious, but being positive the night before the plane ride will send good vibes to the kids. It is completely true that kids pick up on parents emotions. The night before, take a lavender infused bath, start the book you will read on the plane, and just try to relax. It is an exciting opportunity to move overseas, and the plane ride is just one of the many adventures you and your family will experience living abroad.
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Carmen Grant is a proud Navy EOD wife and mother of two boys, ages 3 and 4. She spends her time blogging about military life, volunteering at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society as a financial caseworker and taking care of her family. She is owner of two new military life websites, www.spousesprite.com and www.militaryfinancefairy.com. Two off base places for military wives!
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