How To Pack For Your Family Stress Free

This is a PR collaboration.

Having just come back from a holiday I thought I would post an article about one aspect all parents dread prior to travelling; packing! Packing is one of the most stressful aspects of travelling with children. How many clothes do we have? Can they stay entertained with all the activities? Having everything in place so you have everything covered is the temptation - but this isn't always the best option! Holiday packing needn't be overwhelming. In case anything does go wrong, we've crafted some great tips for keeping stress levels low. Check out these family travel packing tips: Take Only What You Need, Don't Pack Too Much You probably won't because you are very unlikely to change your mind. Prepare everything you plan on packing, then take out half of what you planned on packing. Do not overpack - you are unlikely to wear everything you bring. Furthermore, if you are going somewhere with laundry facilities, why take along baggage you will not need? If there is anything you forget to bring, such as an extra T-shirt, just remember you can just purchase it on-site if you need it.

Get Your Children Involved 

As we understand, packing (or anything!) might take a little longer for young children, yet providing them with their own rucksacks in which they can accommodate their favourite toys and colouring books can make them feel more involved and useful. I know my children love their personalised T-shirts and I order theirs from Rarecustom. Be Aware Of Your Luggage Weight Allowances Before You Travel

Each airline clearly states its luggage size and weight limits. You may end up having to pay extra fees if you arrive with luggage that exceeds the carriers' limits even slightly. You can avoid surprises at the airport by double-checking your luggage before you leave. Of course, if you are travelling within your own country, you don’t need to worry as much about the weight of your bags. Make Sure There Is Some Extra Space

Your case is filled with a few spaces even though you packed light. Don't rush into filling them in! You may want to bring some souvenirs back home as gifts to friends and family, or even for yourself. Let them back in some space. Have A Spare Pair Of Childs Clothing In Your Carry-on 

The suitcase is not the place to store all of your child's clothes. It is not uncommon for accidents to happen and the only thing you are likely to need if they do is a spare set of clothing. A limited emergency kit including spare clothes, baby wipes, and some nappies if your baby uses them should always be kept in your hand luggage.

Pack Accessories

A single outfit can be transformed into several different looks by adding different accessories. Packing small accessories such as beads, hats, and scarves is easier than packing many outfits. As well as taking up less space! Pack Each Day Separate 

Whenever possible, pack an outfit a day for each child in individual ziplock bags. It is true that it may seem like more work, but it really saves you a lot of time and hassle when trying to put together outfits for all your family members, especially if your family is larger than average. Also, ziplock bags are also a great way to pack away dirty laundry without having to worry if it gets mixed up with any clothes you're going to bring back from your trip. Pack A Basic First Aid Kit

Being prepared for travel with children is always beneficial, so remember to pack a first aid kit that includes plasters, antiseptic cream, bug repellent, infant paracetamol suspension and child ibuprofen. Remember, it is always better to have something and not need it than to need something and not have it. Pack Something The Kids Haven’t Seen Before

When your children start getting bored or restless, pull out a few new toys and games from your hand luggage. A few great ideas are card games, magic writing boards (they feature an easy-to-clean screen and a pen attached that won't roll away from the screen like regular pencils), reading books, and travel games. You won't have to worry about them taking up much space either. Make Sure Pack Appropriately

Unless you plan on hiking, you can leave the hiking boots at home if you do not plan on hiking. Additionally, look at the weather forecast before coming to your destination, and make sure that you are adequately equipped to cope with what you will encounter. Have a look at travel blogs before you go to help you pack more sustainable items on your family holiday if you would like more information on that. Always Plan Ahead 

Make a list of the things you need to do. It is always a good idea to keep a mobile device handy so that you can make a note. Make a list of things you need to do and email it to yourself. It doesn't matter what you do, do whatever you find works for you, and start as soon as possible. Even if you are very careful, you are almost guaranteed to forget or overlook something when packing at the last minute, especially if you are running behind a camera with excited kids hovering in the background. Don't wait until the last minute to start planning. Make sure you give it a try, you will be pleased with the results. 

This short guide should help you to pack for your family holiday easily and stress-free. Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them in the comments below.

My Favourite Holiday Moment

Moving to the Mediterranean is a dream of mine, and over the past couple of years I've brought up the possibly of emigrating. The Balearic Islands, Majorca in particular feels like a home away from home to me. As soon as I step of the plane, feel the sun warming my face and breathe in the Spanish air, I feel at ease and utterly content. I think that is all it'll ever be though, a dream. Uprooting the kids, selling our home and moving away from family just isn't feasible anymore.

Thankfully we love to travel so the need to emigrate is kept at bay. We are very lucky to go abroad once a year and go on a couple of UK breaks every year too. It's something we prioritise and look forward to all year round, just the two of us before we became parents and now as a family too. 

Holiday Gems specialise in short haul travel locations such as Majorca and they recently invited me to write all about my favourite holiday moment. Having been abroad quiet a few times it was hard to narrow it down, but one moment stands out to me more than any.

It was back in 2012, before we had children. We were in Majorca, in our new favourite hotel. Whilst we were enjoying the sun and the all inclusive cocktails, we were reminiscing about the past and making plans for our future. We looked around at all the families and made a promise to come back when we have a child and become parents ourselves.

Just a few years later we did just that. Here's a photo of Noah in Majorca, at our favourite hotel, just like we promised. It was so surreal and humbling to keep the promise that we'd made together and it was the most magical holiday. It was quite the feeling to sit there and watch him splash about in the water, he probably wondered why Mummy and Daddy were smiling so much. We made so many incredible memories that holiday.

What's your favourite holiday moment?

- This is a PR collaboration.

My Top 5 Holiday Photo's

Well we are now officially in autumn! Bye bye summer, it was nice knowing you. You know when you decided to make an appearance those couple of days. Maybe next year you can hang about a little longer? That would be great!

Anyway, less of that. With the colder and darker evenings approaching and after seeing this fantastic blog post I thought I would post a little something to perk me up! Here are my top 5 holiday photo's!

Alcudia beach-

This is my all time favourite holiday photo and possibly one of my favourite photo's in general too. I shot this around 6 years ago now while Nick and I were on a 7 day holiday in Majorca. This is one of the many little piers that go out into the Mediterranean sea. You can always find tourists taking photo's and admiring the views from them and the locals tend to use them to catch fish and sell to local restaurants.

Sailing in the Med-
Another shot from another holiday to Majorca. We were on a boat ride in the Mediterranean sea. It was a scorcher of a day but it was so serene sailing on the crystal clear blue water. You would think this was a photo from the Caribbean if I hadn't told you otherwise!

Benitses Road Tip-
This photo feels like a lifetime ago and was taken roughly 10 years ago now. I went to Corfu and we took a road trip across the island in the blistering heat. We were situated in a small fishing village called Benitses and it was such a quaint little place. Very traditional, peaceful and very rural.

A room with a view-
This is another photo from my trip to Corfu. We had arrived in the night and it had been pitch black. Our hotel was located on a hill and we couldn't really see anything when we got there. When I awoke the next morning I opened the shutters on the balcony to see this view and I remember to this day that I was just speechless. It was one of those moments when a view just takes your breath away.

Arial view of Benitses- 
Wow, right? This photograph looks like it could be a post card. I remember sitting up on those hills after our ride around the island and feeling so humbled looking down at that view.

Looking back at these photo's has me so excited for our holiday next May. It will be the first time we have taken Noah abroad and it's such a huge milestone. Wish us luck!

Top 5 Valentines Destinations

It's fast approaching that time of year when we take a breather and really appreciate our other half. Valentine's day. I know Valentine's Day isn't for everyone and there are some romantic scrooges out there but personally, I love it! It's a nice excuse to dedicate time to your special someone, spoil them rotten, and show them you care. It's also not half bad getting spoilt yourself too!

This year we would like to do something a bit different to celebrate that special day and perhaps go away for a few nights or even a mini-break. I'm always looking at ways to change things up when it comes to our date nights. If you are anything like me and want to add an extra touch of excitement you could always purchase some human pheromones, in spray, moisturiser, or oil form, to set the mood. Add a little extra spice to your long-awaited date!

I have put together a few ideas of what I would like to do. Some may be a bit far-fetched but a girl can dream.

Mini break- 

Alcudia is our home from home and we have been numerous times. As I was pregnant last year we didn't go on holiday and I am really feeling those holiday blues. It would be amazing to go back soon and even more amazing if we were able to go over the Valentine's period! I keep thinking what an amazing place it would be to propose too? Though I think Nick would have to shop for Engagement rings first. 

Weekend away-

What would be nicer than a weekend getaway to a luxury boutique in the Yorkshire countryside? Ox Pasture Hall is not only an ideal location for a Valentine's getaway but perfect for weddings too. 

Stay local-

Hopefully, if the weather picks up in the next few weeks we could take a lovely family walk on Valentine's day. Not only would it be budget-friendly but it would be nice to get some fresh air and take in our beautiful local countryside. 

Go gigging-

Nick and I are both huge music lovers and an ideal destination for us on Valentines would be going to watch one of our favourite bands live. We usually go to Manchester Academy to see a show.

Dine out-

We dined out a lot before the baby is born but haven't had much time to since he arrived. We have saved up a bit of money not going out as much so it would be nice to splurge a little on Valentine's day at a place like Mitton Hall which is local to us. 

Have you any plans for Valentine's day? What is your ideal date?

This is a PR Collaboration. 

My New Years Resolutions

I'm not normally one to actually make New Years Resolutions nevermind stick to them but this year with how much my life has changed recently I wanted to change my ways and create a few New Years Resolutions and stick by as many as I can.

Family time.

Now Nick, Noah and I are a family I want to make sure we spend a lot of quality time together especially now while Noah is young. As he get's a little older and more aware I want to take him to the zoo and the sealife centre. I'm so excited to be able to do things as a proper little family.

Mummy and Daddy time. 

If you are a parent you will know that as soon as your little bundle of joy arrives there is a lot less time spent with your significant other. Although I see Nick every single day sometimes I miss him because we don't have that quality time together anymore as our focus is on our son. At least once a week I want to snuggle up on the sofa and watch a film together and at least once a month I want to have a date night with Nick where we go out and enjoy one another's company.  

Diet - Join Slimming world. 

I was heavier than I would of liked to of been before I was even pregnant so of course going through pregnancy too I have a lot of weight to lose. The last time I was weighed was at my 12 week scan and I didn't even ask what I weighed as I didn't want to frighten myself. We don't actually have any scales in our house but I know I need to bite the bullet and see how much I weigh. I feel like I could lose about 2 stone. So I have a long long way to go. 

I am not the best when it comes to dieting or eating healthy. I did join Weight Watchers a few years back and lost a stone as it was easy to follow but it didn't really work for me in the long run. I have decided to give Slimming World a go as I have heard nothing but positive feedback from the programme. So wish me luck! I am going to need it. 

Excersize - Be more active.

I just want to be more active on a whole. I don't mean go full throttle working out every day cause lets face it I have a baby and don't get much sleep so at the moment that won't be feasible. Perhaps in a few months down the line I may join a gym but at the moment I just want to get out the house and go for long walks with Noah in the pram. This will be more appealing when the weather picks up a bit. 

Holiday - First family holiday.

Nick and I love going abroad and our home away from home is Alcudia in Majorca. We didn't go away in 2013 as I was pregnant. It was the first time in years we didn't go on holiday, we really missed it. This year we want to take Noah on his first holiday, which is so exciting. Probably back to Majorca knowing us! 

Mortgage - Buy our own home.

In 2013 we were accepted for a mortgage but we just need to now decide where we want to live and find the home that is right for us. We are getting there with our deposit but by the end of 2014 I hope we are in our very own home or atleast on our way to that goal. We are currently looking through various estate agents UK to find the perfect family home because now we have a baby it's time to start building a foundation for us as a family. 

Savings - Pennies make pounds.

Nick and I are dreadful when it comes to spending. We waste so much money and really need to learn how to budget better. Our savings would look a lot more attractive right now if we weren't throwing money down the drain left, right and center. We spend way too much money on meals out and takeaways. I aim to put a little bit more money away into our savings each month.  


Wedding - Make plans.

We have been engaged for a few years now and haven't talked in depth about our wedding as of yet. We've always been preoccupied with moving house, new jobs, redundancy, pregnancy and now a baby. This year I want to atleast start discussing our wedding plans and begin saving up. 2015 wedding? Who knows!

Here are my New Years Resolutions for the year. Lets see what I stick to! Here's to 2014!