BabyWise Master Lists + LOOKING UP LINK-UP

This weeks post is very busy.  Not only is it a portion of the Baby Wise Friendly Network and their contributions on parenting; but it also is my first Looking Up Link-Up post.

If you are a parent who enjoys taking your family on outings, I  hope you will find something useful in this post that will help with packing & planning.  If you are here from another blog please don't leave without scrolling to the end of this post and adding a link to your own blog.  This will create more exposure for you and a fun network of learning & sharing what each of us has to offer.

Here is today's post about summer fun & master lists; how organizing your pre-packing will make any day trip or overnight stay just a bit more comfortable.
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This week we went on a summer outing that we all were very much looking forward to.
Once a year they have a big air show a few hours from us and since we all love the excitement of aviation; we could hardly wait to get there!

Unfortunately the day didn't go near as we had envisioned.

5 hours of pouring rain, no outside shelter, everything soaked, the show was delayed for 3 hours as we wilted.  The kids were crying, I was crying...on the inside.  Needless to say, it was a disaster.  All I kept thinking, as we were sitting in the middle of the downpour holding our umbrellas statistically to form a canopy as a shelter, was that I really needed to make a master packing list for trips such as these.

Years ago, I created a Master Grocery List; it included anything and everything that I could possibly use in my home.  It covered Lima beans to light bulbs and everything in between.  It has a suggested number of those items I would need in order to be "stocked up" and as I got ready to go to the store I would print off my Master List, look at each item and determine how many I needed based on my "stocked" ideal number.

Many things, such as fresh fruit, I knew that I would need regularly; other things such as canned tomatoes, I would place a small number next to it, telling me how many I needed in order to replace what I had used.  It became a convenient way to shop and make sure that I didn't miss a thing.  As I'm dripping from the storm lagging on overhead, with 2 boys sitting in dirty diapers and no dry place to change them, my daughter "starving" for something to eat (which was impossible due to the ATM crashing and now out of order) and water up to our ankles...I day-dreamed of my Master Packing List and what I could have possibly packed in order to make this experience more comfortable.

What if I made a list that was similar to the grocery list and on it was items for day trips along with over-nighters?  Whenever we decided to go anywhere, for any length of time, I could simply print it off and circle all the items I would need according to where we were going, length of stay, activities, & weather.  Then I would at least be as prepared as I could be.

I went home and compiled a list of what I thought may be helpful to us...
Here is the list I came up with; if you find it helpful please copy & paste it to a Word document and use at home for your family  :)

MASTER PACKING LIST

FOOD

Drinks

Cooler

 Ice Packs/Loose Ice

Thermal Carrier

Coffee Travel Mugs

Water Bottles

Baby Bottle/Sippy Cup

Milk/Formula

Snack Foods (Carrots, Apples, Granola, Chips)

Case of Water

Medication/Vitamins/Supplements/Oils

  

TRANSPORTATION

Double Stroller/Single Stroller

Light Blanket to cover stroller if needed

Car Seat Cover

OVERNIGHT

Diapers & Wipes

Blanket & Pillow

Playpen & Sheet

Deodorant

Make-Up Bag

Hair Products

Toothpaste/Brush

Hair Brush/Comb/Hair Dryer/Straightener

Towels/Washcloths/Loofah

Q-Tips

Nail Clippers & Tweezers

Soap/Shampoo/Conditioner

Rubber Bands/Head Bands/Bobby Pins/Barrettes

Shaving Cream/Razor

Facial Cleanser/Moisturizer/Oils

Laundry Soap/Fabric Softener

Feminine Products

  

CLOTHING

 Play Clothes

Church Clothes

Extra Outfits

Socks/Underwear/Bras

Sweatshirt/Sweats

Pants/Capri's/Shorts 

T-Shirts/Tanks/Long Sleeve

Casual Sweater

 Jacket

Sandals/Flip Flops

Boots/Shoes

Pajamas/Slippers/Robe

Hat

Jewelry

  

EXTRAS

Notebook & Pens/Pencils

Art pack for kids (crayons, colored pencils, etc.)

Facial Tissue

Ziploc bags

Wal-Mart Sacks for wet clothes, trash, dirties…etc.

Lip Balm

Insect Repellent or alternative (Tea Tree Oil)

Glasses/Sun Glasses

Shower Shoes

Flashlight/Lighter or Matches

Toilet Paper

Travel Games/Movies

Camera/Video Camera

Ear Plugs

Hand Sanitizer

Sports Gear

Reading Material

1^st Aid Kit

Calendar

Handheld Vacuum & Charger for vehicle

Nursing Cover 

WEATHER

Umbrella

Sunscreen or alternative

$1 Poncho from Walmart

Fold Up Chairs

Tent

 Blow-Up Mattress

Camping Supplies

Swimsuits/Trunks

Little Swimmers

Floaters

Goggles

   

COMMON NECESSITIES

Cash

Laptop & Charger

Phone & Charger
Wallet/Driver’s License

Itinerary/Maps

Medical Info/Emergency Numbers

Business Cards

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 I hope this is at least a good start of something you can use at home.  I'm sure you may want to tweak it and add or move categories.  I am certain that it will be a great resource to me the next time we venture out as a family.

I was thankful that finally the airshow was able to start and as the clouds faded & the rain simmered down we were able to get a few photos; next time we will be more prepared and surely enjoy ourselves a bit more.

Now it's time for our 1st of many Looking Up Link-Up

An InLinkz Link-up