When mom travels, it takes quite a bit to get everything ready. Mom is a big part of keeping the family together, whether she is home or not. She leaves a part of her heart at home with her family and wants to make sure everything goes smooth for them. Traveling can involve a lot of stress for mom.
[tweetthis]When Mom goes on a trip, she doesn’t just prepare for herself…it is for the whole family[/tweetthis]
Here are a few tips to help you prepare yourself, your family and your heart so you don’t miss the opportunities set before you. Some read this and see it as a to do list to make you feel guilty. Not at all. Just some ideas of things that you might forget. Above all, this is a NO GUILT blog for moms!!
What preparations should take place? It varies from family to family, depending on the circumstances. Will the children being staying at home? With grandparents or friends? If they are staying home, things will be a little simpler and not include extra packing. If they are staying elsewhere, packing for them needs to take place.
For the Family:
- Make a list of all that needs to be done, purchased and packed.
- Have the laundry washed, folded and put away so all the drawers are well stocked, especially for younger children. But it will be fine if you don’t get it done. If this doesn’t happen, my husband and sons are great to keep the laundry on track.
- Lay out outfits for each day if that will make it simpler for younger children.
- Go grocery shopping and have enough food for snacks and simple meals. Sometimes this includes frozen pizza, sandwich items, and more convenience food that we normally don’t eat. Or if this doesn’t happen, the kids and dad can have fun doing this or eating out. Or pizza delivery sounds like a plan. Unless you live in the country like I do and pizza delivery is only a dream.
- If I have time before I leave, I try to cook a few meals that can warmed. But don’t feel guilty if you can’t… dad and the kids can have some fun eating out or enjoying snacks and easy meals.
- Buy disposable plates and cups~ you will be glad for this when you return!
- Make sure household supplies are well-stocked, like toilet paper, detergent, soaps, etc…
- If there are appointments, leave a list with times and phone numbers.
- Try to pack at least 2 days before (if possible) so you aren’t up all night packing (I speak from experience on this~ an all-night packing marathon means you often forget things and makes you cranky for your trip)
- If your children are staying away from home, either provide snacks or leave money for meals. Pack the bags of each child.
- Prepare the needed vitamins/supplements/medicine in pill cases so it will be easier.
- Leave insurance card and a note giving permission for them to seek medical care, if they are staying with someone other than their father.
- Leave a list of information for dentist, doctor, etc… along with any allergies they may have or list of medications or vitamins they may need.
- [tweetthis] Try to have time to just “be” with your kids. I often get so busy with preparations that I miss just being with and enjoying my kids before a trip. [/tweetthis]
- They just want you…especially when you are going to be gone for several days.
- Leave special notes ~ I always try to write a note/card for the boys for each day I am gone. They look forward to this. It is just a few lines saying hello, telling them how much I love them, reminding them to be good. The boys love this and they surprised me on my last trip with a stack of cards for each day. It was so sweet!! They even included a few dollars here and there for snacks. It made my trip!! {Sometimes life is crazy and I don’t get this done. NO GUILT. Just a nice gesture and memory maker if there is time}
- Sometimes I leave small gifts for them to open~ books, coloring books/crayons, small cars, board game. It depends how long I am going to be gone and how I am feeling or how prepared I am before I leave.
- Leave a special scripture that you pray over your children or if you your child is having anxiety from you leaving. A great one to write out and post somewhere in the house is:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5
For Mom:
- Take a deep breath. Maybe this is your first trip or you are a pro. Either way, you always feel a tugging in your heart about whether you should go or not, how your family will make it and all your insecurities seem to surface. You will be fine. They will be fine.
- Make a list of everything that is to be done for you and everyone else.
- Check your clothing situation so you aren’t making a last minute shopping trip to find something to wear. {I always seem to be making last minute trips to the store}
- Don’t forget all the phone chargers, ear buds, portable charger, light jacket, etc… If you are staying in a room with several roommates, I always bring this multiple charging station or an extension cord so we can plug everything in. Sometimes there aren’t enough plug ins for phones, computers, etc… for each person.
- Pack healthy snacks that will keep your energy up or you have to skip meals.
- I always take essential oils to help me sleep and keep me from getting sick on the plane and in the hotel room.
- Pack any vitamins or supplements that you need for your health.
- I have started carrying this neat homeopathic travel kit to have just in case. It has come in handy many times!
- Take pictures of your family on your phone so you can show them off and to help you when you get homesick. Also great to look at when you are praying for them.
- Download your favorite music or books to read while on the plane, if flying. Don’t forget a notebook to write down thoughts or to use at a conference.
- Take ziplock bags...they always come in handy for something or other.
- Going to a conference? Bring a notebook, portable charger, extra bag or room in your suitcase for all the goodies you are going to get in your swag bag or the shopping you plan to do. Always have a light jacket or sweater for in the conference rooms.
- Carry a glass water bottle with you so you can stay well hydrated. Or pack a few water bottles in your suitcase.
Your Heart:
- If you are traveling to a conference, all sorts of thoughts come to mind. Insecurities rise to the top and you worry about your clothing, hair, whether everyone is wearing boots or not, do you have enough business cards, will you fit in or be a loner. Please take some time to sit back, take a deep breath and don’t let Satan take control of your trip. You are called, you are precious and you are chosen. You have a mission. God has a plan for you and Satan isn’t pleased at all.
- Leave your anxieties with God ~ the traveling, the fear, insecurities and ask God to empower you and make you shine. Ask Him to help you be an encourager before you leave home… to your family, your friends and as you travel before you ever get to your destination.
- Be careful not to let the anxiety control your attitude at home… it won’t speak well to our family if we are ugly to them before we go out to be a light and change the world.
- Take your eyes off yourself. It is an urge you will have to fight against ~ your outfits, your business cards, your hair, business cards, will you get a book proposal… the list goes on. I remember my first conferences and being around people who so impressed you online and who you thought were “big shots”. It was great meeting them, but I realized they were just people, like us. They have their own insecurities too. The ones that stood out were the ones who took time to speak, smile and asked if I needed any help. You can do that too… smile, chat a few minutes. Look for the people who could use some encouragement… even if this is your first conference. You can make a difference.
- You will meet kindred spirits who may become your best friends. Allume Conference has brought me some of my dearest friends.
- Are you having travel anxiety? Here are some verses to help you as you leave your family:
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. Isaiah 54:14
Preparing to go on a trip is a lot of work! What suggestions do you have??
Other Travel Posts:
Flying with Essential Oils
