THankfully, in our house we pack our individual things and each one would carry a separate suitcase/shoulder bag/small bag as the case may be.This would suit the taste of the individual.I take responsibility , however, for the medicine kit and food supplies for the family.Even when my son was a young child,, I used to pack his little trousers and shirts and make him carry the things in his bag[a school bag hanging from both shoulders].My husband packs and carries his.THis suits us all fine and we have less trouble coordinating .
What do you do?
Do you have your things in a common box/pack ?
Do you supervise and pack for the whole family?
Or is it a case of every individual doing it for oneself?
This is a very ordinary discussion.I thank you all in advance for sharing your experiences.
[question posted by kalav56]
responses and comments:
Hi dear, As you know that my kids are small and we both (me and my hubby) doing the packing, of course both of them are very happy and assisting us for packing (sometimes messing up)lol. We too prefer to pack up in separate bags for each so that we can find out the same easily when we reach the place. Here I meant about the cloths (separate bags) and in general items we pack in one bag.happy cheering [Sreekala]
That is good for you francisco! We help each other by not interfering with the packing of each other.lol When my child was a little kid I used to take his things and pack thme and make him carry it on his little shoulders.THat sweet angel used to march along smilingly .But, luckily since he is a boy he did not have too many to carry. [kalav56]
Whenever i have to travel,i pack the things for my whole family which comprises of my kid and my husband.My husband is a total chaos in this matter and he always forgets to carry some essential items when packing is assigned to him. Like you i also arrange some food stuff and water bottle in my kid bag and let him carry it on his shoulders.He looks very cute rofland does this duty with utmost care. [bamrahkirti]
He is now 2.5 years old.It is my PIL who take care of him when i am away. [bamrahkirti]
I am single and live with my parents. That leaves me with the privilege of not actively packing things for other family members. My mom, has to carry most of the burden since my father is lousy with it. Very good with lifting and pushing stuffs, he doesn't really bother much about what's inside the box. lol On my last visit, I had packed all my stuffs myself. My mother helped me with it and my father helped with counseling o where and how to keep the passport and visa and important copies. He is very good with it. niceday [mimpi1911]
Now which father isn't ?They always know all important rules and regulations.My father-in-law insists on this.And what is this vanishing act dear? You seem to peep in like lightning and then are nowhere to be seen.happyhappy [kalav56]
I am single and live with my parents. That leaves me with the privilege of not actively packing things for other family members. My mom, has to carry most of the burden since my father is lousy with it. Very good with lifting and pushing stuffs, he doesn't really bother much about what's inside the box. lol On my last visit, I had packed all my stuffs myself. My mother helped me with it and my father helped with counseling o where and how to keep the passport and visa and important copies. He is very good with it. niceday [mimpi1911]
packing things in different suitcases is surely a good idea but just think of the number of luggages you would have and then if you have your own transportation it is still ok we can adjust but if you have to use the public transport then it would be a big headache. If it is a short trip my hubby packs everything in one suitcase but if it is longer trip then we prefer seperate suitcases and a common bag for anything like utilities which we would require often. [avani26]
THat may be true if we carry large pieces of luggage.And this becomes a real problem when we use public transport.Thanks for the participation avani. [kalav56]
Dear friend, If it is long trip I would just make a list for those things I have to pack. Later I would help others in packing. Making sure I had packed my necessary things in my bag or suitcase. I would carry a separate bag that contains most often used things of me.happy [SHAMRACK]
I jsut keep these thigns in separate pouches in the same bag.Thanks dear friend for the participation. [kalav56]
Hi, friend. I have to admit i'm tired of packing things. I've been doing this for numerous times, though i didn't pack for travelling. I used to study in a boarding school and had to pack all the stuffs every end and beginning of a semester. It drove me crazy though my mom helped me with it. Now when i go travelling with my family, each of us pack things by himself/herself except my father who's never been into such things. [chenxiaoyue_713]
I can understand how you would feel.My husband has also the same attitude because whe he was young he had a lot of packing and lifting to do.THanks for the participation. [kalav56]
Frankly speaking Kala, I think you must have done some wonderful things in your past seven lives if your husband can pack for himself LOL. My hubby can BUT like the quintessential turmeric in all Indian menus, he'll need my help in all that he does. Our son is just 10, so though he gets super excited if ever asked to pack his things, he really doesn't know what to leave and what to take…so I do the packing for all of us. Its not that I mind much…we are only three people and I always travel light…we're not going to any party that I've to carry so many clothes! Also it helps me to keep a tab on what's coming back (that's another bother you know, re-packing when you're coming back) [sudiptacallingu]
Very true and if we lose somehthing because we have carried far too many we would feel guilty too.What you said about my husabnd is absolutely true and I have to thank my mil and fatherinlaw [he had a number of transfers and my husband is totally fed up with travel and lifting the luggage of everyone at home when he was young.Now he lifts his own little suit case or bag and we all pack and carry our own things.It keeps us peaceful without worrying about or feeling guilty about what we have left behind etc. [kalav56]
My last trip was to South Africa. I was pregnant with my baby daughter and my son was twenty months old. I had a pack my backpack and my son's bag. We traveled on a plane with a generous baggage allowance. I had difficulty with carrying all our luggage. We traveled to Cape Town and the Garden Route. The trip before that was when my son was thirteen months old. We got a budget airline to Latvia. That airline didn't let my son have a baggage allowance accept his pushchair. I had to take just one backpack with both of our things in. The weight had to be 15kg or less. Packing that lightly was very challenging indeed. For example I had to take my son's soy formula drink powder and his catheters. In the end I managed to pack all we needed except for my son's lightweight travel cot. I paid extra for the airline to accept that. When my children are older they will probably be able to help me pack. Right now they are too young to do that. Happy traveling. [maximax8]
When our children are very small we would naturally do the packing for them.And mothers usually take responsibility for this.It is an unwritten rule and we do thsi very lovingly.I used to pack my son's small things and he used to carry i t on his shoulder bag.He is a very endearing person and he showed the same characteristics when he was young too. [kalav56]
Hi Kala, I pack well, at least I used to. But my papa is very dominating. He just wont allow me to have my way. :) Whenver we go out, he does it. Even unpacking what I pack saying I dont know anything - you know the usual stuff that such parents can do. I leave it to him, and invariably something or the other gets left out. I am quite amused normally. Because then he says you should have reminded me, and stuff like that. :) [vandana7]
It si high time for roles reversal and that your father listens to you now.happyhappy [kalav56]
most of the time, my wife prepares the things we need when we have to travel together. but we seldom do go out together. and sometimes, even if i am traveling alone, she still makes sure i have everything i need. she will prepare all my things, everything. but i used to be the one packing them in my bag. [neildc]
So, your wife takes care of your packing--very good. THnaks a lot for the participation. [kalav56]
I tend to pack for myself and not for my partner. If I pack for myself then I know that I have everything I need while I am away whereas if I pack for my partner I know he will pull everything out again and go through it all and repack. [recycledgoth]
In our house too we have the system of individually packin g our own things .This makes us responsible for our own things, we need not burden ourselves in the name of managing the whole thing and get troubled and stressed out. [kalav56]
i pack my things when i was travelling and after i my pack i pack my family when travelling [pradeep12]
Ok I get your meaning.after packing your own things you help others pack and coordinate this a s awhole.Is in't it? [kalav56]
In our family also each one packs his own .May be I will give some suggestion regarding the pick of clothes .As for food items and medicines it is my resposnsibility.Each one has his own pack .So it avoids any kind of confusion. [visaseetharaman]
We are also like that and this is the easiest because each one takes care of one's limited belongings.TH e chances of missing things would be minimized.Thanks for the participation. [kalav56]
Kala It is the same with my family .We all pack our own bags and carry our own stuff.it is much more practical and easier that way...My children have always been doing things independently right from their childhood..I take care of things like some snacks, water,fruits and other requirements that we may need... [kiran8]
Yes Kiran. We are also like thta and this is the easiest because each one takes care of one's limited belongings.TH e chances of missing thigns would be minimized.Hnaks for the participation. [kalav56]
Hi friend, when we have to go out, we pack two main suitcases. On for children and one for two of us. The packing is done almost always by me better half, my contribution being nil almost all time. Even my clothes and other things packed by my better half. Don;t you think i am spoiled by her! rofl [common_man]
THEN I am sure you will do your share of spoiling her. [kalav56]
As much as i can i try to help not just myself but my family too.Like if i can im helping my mom and my brothers things so that everything will be orderly.And then the faster we help out each other the faster we can travel and enjoy more time together as we are travelling too ;) [setsuna26]
THat is true.But if we take care of our individual things all independently that is also a help. It would get things done faster. [kalav56]
Each is responsible for one personal bag, but I am responsible for the common things, like ice, water, snacks, maps, chargers for the cell phone, etc., and emergency things. [drannhh]
Responsibility for common things fall on the woman after all.Thanks drannh for the response. [kalav56]
Hi Kalav, When we go away, there are only two of us, hubby and myself, I pack my own suitcase and he packs his, so there is no problems or arguements. Tamara [tamarafireheart]
True Tamara.This saves us a lot of bother.THnaks for the participation and additions to the post. [kalav56]
I am a lazy guy. I don't even pack my clothes and other things during my travel. My mom use to do it all the times.I was scolded many times regarding this. Now I am living alone.Now I have to pack my luggage by myself. It is really a tough task for me. In a month I have to go to my home. Hope I will all my things to home without forgetting anything.I am thankful if you guys give me some suggestions. [singuri]
Maske two lists-"Things to be done" and "Things to be taken". If you are about to vacate a room and are planningto go home for good then it is easy because you have to pack the whole thing.Here it would be a matter of organizing things and categorizing them. Otherwise keep a checklist as what I have said and perform tasks stage by stage so that you would be relaxed in the last week.Keep a mark for "Most important things"like credit card, money etc.etc and keep them in a separate wallet or pouch today itself and retrieve it from there whenever you need it.Diligently keep it back there.This would ensure that you won't forget things.Keep your tickets and essential money in an envelope and write on top of this "Ticket and cash" and keep it in the purse you are planning to carry during your travel.Depending on whether you are going home for good or are planning to come back, you will have to make your plan. [kalav56]
When I was married, I normally packed for everyone. That way I was sure that everything that was needed for a trip was packed. As the kids got older, I would make them a general packing list of things needed for a trip and they would pack accordingly, but having the choice of what clothes to take. In my last relationship, I normally packed for both of us, even if it was a camping trip. I would have the truck loaded and ready to go by the time he got home from work. Which saved time in being able to get away as soon as he got home. Now, it's just me and my pup, so not a lot of packing to do. I normally pack light anyway, depending on where and how long I'll be gone. [palonghorn]
Yes if you need to save time then the responsibility must be taken by the person who has maximum time at her disposal.But, even then it becomes easier if each individual at least collects one's things and keep them.This would avoid unnecessary arguments and no one can blame another person for one's forgetfulness. [kalav56]
It's been a while since the last time I traveled with my family, but when we did in the past, each one would pack his/her own things. Packing is considered an individual responsibility in our family, so we learn to tell between what we need in a trip or what we needn't happy [madteaparty]
It is the same in mine also.Here , we find it easier to keep control over one's things.Only water and some food items would be my repsonsibility as a common kitty. [kalav56]
I don't like packing so I only pack my own things. It's like that in our family, it's each to his own :) Maybe, if I have a family of my own, I will pack for my little kids. [jprui80]
When each individual packs he becomes responsible for his own an d this would not be a burden on any particular person. [kalav56]
Usually, it is me and my husband travels. I take out my dress to pack, but my husband arranges it in the luggage bag. He always make sure to arrange the common things such as paste, brush, tissue, some medicine, etc. He is fine with arranging things. My habit is to arrange things at the last moment and he doesn't prefer it. He likes to arrange things at least one day in advance to avoid hurry at the last moment. So, I encourage him to pack and he is fine with that. [daliaj]
Every couple follow a routine based on their own levels of patience and characteristics.THANKS FOR THE RESPONSE. [kalav56]
hello kalav, when my husband & i travels or go in a vacation...its only me who pack our things! well we don't usually bring much things, just few clothes & some personal items. i just keep the clothes in one bag and the other items in another. if its me who packs everything its easier for me to find the things we needed... no problem with me with it coz usually my husband just have few items to bring. [ckyera]
We all get used to our individual style of packing.I have evolved a pattern over the the past years . [kalav56]
I don't travel all that often. When I did, it was eaither my family doing it for me, Or I would do it with my partner. To save space in our truck we compacted everything we might need into a couple of suit cases and plastic boxes. It would fit into the truck bed better and off we went. And since my wheelchair was a must-have, we needed to make sure we had room for it. [kaylachan]
No, my partner owns a pick-up truck. Its our only mode of transportation. So it goes anywhere we need to drive somewhere. [kaylachan]
Before I was married, we all packed our own stuff and my father took responsibility for the medicines and mother for food supplies. Before we kids could do it...it was our father's responsibility and we learnt how to pack from him. After marriage, the responsibility of packing fell on me. When my older son was little, he would have a small bag with his things that he would carry. He and I have travelled alone many times and so he got used to it too. I do the packing for the family now. Try to reduce the number of bags by taking the minimum number of pieces because most often than not, I know I will be the only one handling it. My husband's idea of packing is dumping everything in a bag...so I'm more comfortable doing the packing myself. The only part I hate though is that my husband waits till the last possible moment to decide the stuff he needs to take...so I can't plan the size of the bag we need to take. [SViswan]
Yes, it was a disappointment. The little one is too young to realize what he's missing. But the older one was disappointed. Though my husband plans to visit Kerala every month, our next family trip is going to be during Onam when a cousin is getting married. [SViswan]
In our house we pack our thing alone, we make list what we will need in our journey and we will checking the list in case we forget something. That we pack them into suitcase. We usually use two big suitcase and it will be carry by men in family it mean my father and brother. I will bring my back pack and food for snacking in the way. [nangisha]
And do the men in your house do it wihtout complaint--about how women carry so much of luggage etc..,? [kalav56]
well, as childish as this sounds...my mom packs it for me so it's sure that I never leave anything important-- i'm very forgetful so she doesn't trust me..but it's fine- i know she knows what's best [lady1993]
If it suits you and your mother who is to remark on this ?Each to one's own. THnaks for the participation. [kalav56]
Yes I do back the things for my whole family. According to my wife I am a good planner and I am a good organiser. So usually she does all the cleaning of clothes and buy all the necessary items for travelling but then it is up to me to place things in the travel luggages. I have a check-list which items I should carry with me. So this helps me to be more organised and make sure that I took everything with me while travelling. [ronaldinu]
That is excellent planned team work then.One does the collection of items and the other person packs it all up in a compact way.THanks for the participation. [kalav56]
It depends on who needs help packing. My wife, ONLY needs me to help her close her suitcase but as with my older daughter NO WAY she needs my help, the two younger children I have do everything from picking out the clothes to the packing of the suitcases. [ziyadahinc212]
My sisterinlaw used to do thsi.She would stuff so many things in her sutcase and fill it to the brim and then after closing it would heartlessly sit on it and close it.Your response brought that picture to mind. [kalav56]
For the most part we all pack our own clothes. We end up going through a checklist for the kids to make sure they packed what they need. But the other stuff gets packed by me and Kat. [Draeke]
with three kids, it can become overwhelming at times, lol. Thank you, I'm having a good time with the site so far :) [Draeke]
i pack my own things :D but if they need help... I will help pack their things too.. :D we travel many times,, but most of the time... my mother was the one pack mt things :) that was before:) [hartnina]
And, who does this"they"refer to?I could not follow it. Welcome to the forum.I see you are new here.Enjoy your time here.This is a great place where you can find good friends. [kalav56]
Hi Kalav, I have two special kids but they are responsible enough in choosing the shirts and stuff that they need to wear and bring. now how do they participate in packing? they give me the stuff that i need to put in the luggage bag. I packed the clothes for my entire family. my husband is so cooperative then to help me out. [msfrancisco9369]
they are really sweet. i am so lucky to be their mom. thanks! [msfrancisco9369]
My husband usually packs for himself; I pack my bag and my daughter's. We each carry our own case; hers is on wheels so she has no trouble with it. If we are not going away for an extended period of time her things may be packed with mine and she may only have shoes etc in her case. I have always packed for my daughter but now that she is eight it is something she can learn to do for herself. We may be going away this Christmas and she will be nine by then so there is no excuse!happy [paula27661]
But I know you would still collect thigns for here nad help her do this Paula.I sed to do the packing for my little son when he was 7 or 8 and he used to carry it , whatever the distance was.I t would be mnimum luggage and he would sling th e bag from his shoulders.When we pack our individual bags things are very well organised and easy to manage. [kalav56]
It's good to pack yours only. If you pack all your things with others altogether it won't be organized. And you need to have a big bag to carry those things. [jea_pinka08]
Organizing apart it is easier to manage.THnaks for the response and wlecome to the forum. [kalav56]
For me and my family it is individual,everyone has a different suitcase and carry their own.It is easier for me as if i do some shopping overseas i can limit it according to my suitcase.Its much more easier this way. [razim17]
Very true.When we carry our suit ccase we know what we have kept and where and it is easier in so many ways. [kalav56]
when i travel on business, i usually do the packing. but when the family travels on pleasure, the wife and the kids do the packing. i just tell the wife what i probably may need. but on the side, especially when the trip will take more than three days, i usually pack a business back pack on the side, with my laptop, some books, papers and ball pens and my broadband... [bystander]
and i am grateful, for her having around... and i love her, for being such a good friend... and of course, i pray for her good health, so we can live together longer... [bystander]
I normally pack a bag for both my boyfriend and I. I will ask him to get the clothes that he wants/needs and I will put them altogether on the spare bed and then pack. Once its in the bag, it stays in the bag. I normally write a list and cross it off. We will share the load of bags, unless its just one bag then he will carry/wheel it. As for the children I have a 2 month old so unfortunaltey I have to pack for him when we go anywhere and definately need a list for stuff to take for him. [cinderella2007]
When there is a child, the responsibility is always on the mother.IT would be quite a detailed packing if there si a tiny baby around because we would have to plan a lot.Thanks for the response Cinderella! Nice user name-I like it.angel [kalav56]
The last time we had our travel was last 2008. We went to the province of my father..well, it's been a long time since we went there. And it just once in a life time for us to have a trip together with my family. It was just three days but it really means a lot to me. I think that was a memorable one with my family and I am still hoping that I could have a trip with my family again, it may not be now but maybe in the future. Anyway, about the packing, we do it individually, I think it is most convenient since we can choose what we want to bring. My little sisters as well are the ones who pick up which clothes to bring and they just have same traveling bag with my parents. I think I am the only one who has a different traveling bag. Well, I was glad that I didn't bring too much clothes since it's not that heavy.happy [joannaleed]
My family and I usually pack our separate things. We also bring individual luggages and bags. We choose whatever we want to bring and what clothes to wear. Like you, as for the medicines, my mom would usually handle that. She will pack all kinds of medicine needed, band-aids, etc. [zzyw87]
Since I'm an adult, with two elder sister, and senior citizen parents, whenever we travel, my mother would pack for my father and then the three of us siblings will pack our own bags. Mama usually packs the food. [emdyey09]