packing for family of 5! 3 kids 3 and under for a week in miami-never traveled as a famliy before-NEED ADVICE

Sofia - posted on 12/20/2011

wow, sheli you had me taking notes! thanks, everyone. we leave tomorrow morning...so far all packed (except the lap top, chargers, and morning hygene care...but those are last minute items)...knowing my mommy brain- i will most likley forget them...so i made a list and taped it to the door. haha

Sheli - posted on 12/20/2011

Okay... I can TOTALLY get what you are going through! I have 4 kids.... 5, 3, 2, and 6 months. I have flown twice with the older 3 by myself while pregnant with number 4.
Here is my advice.... definitely do NOT wrap the gifts... the wrapping would get destroyed anyhow. If you have transportation and an hour or so to yourself, I would not pack the towels. They take up a ton of space and with the cost to check luggage it is usually cheaper to hit a wal-mart and buy some that you can leave there or donate than to pay for the luggage space/weight.
Distribute shoes between different suitcases. They weigh the most and on one occasion I had to open up both suitcases to move things around because one bag was way under weight and one way over.
Even with daddy there I recommend this... if you have a double stroller, TAKE IT instead of the umbrella stroller (even if the umbrella is a double). They take a little more time to get through security (but it will take you a while anyhow I promise), but you can check it planeside and there are many places to hook/hang and store your carry-ons and car seats while walking through the airport even (and especially) when the kids are walking. I've done the ergo carrier and they are great for getting through security, but they make it hard to carry your diaper bag, purse, etc...
Bring lots of busy stuff for the kids to keep busy with... I always gave each of the older 2 a backpack or kid sized roller. They feel like big kids and it keeps their mind on being a big kid rather than all the people, stores and distractions in the airport. They filled them with matchbox cars, crayons and coloring books, barbies, anything small enough to be easy to carry but not so small they will spill all over the plane. Separate each 'set' of smaller things into plastic baggies inside their backpack.
If you have a portable DVD player... use it. :-) The people around you would rather hear a cartoon than crying. :-)
Bring lots and lots of their favorite portable snacks... fruit snacks, gerber puffs, anything that will keep them chewing and keep their hands busy at the same time can be a lifesaver on takeoff and landing. My kids always have the hardest time with their ears on decent, so we save the chewier snack like fruit snacks for the way down to help out with that. Lots to drink for the 1 year old. If they are still using a bottle, try not to give it to them for 30 minutes before take off and very little during the flight until decent starts. They are more likely to voluntarily drink it then and sometimes they get scared when their ears hurt and won't eat.
There is no charge to check baby items... car seats, car seat bases, etc, pack n play, etc... check all you can. 3 kids is a lot to haul around through an airport, especially if you have to change planes.
Anything you can buy there and not pack... do.
last but not least, a child safety harness will not just keep them from wandering, it keeps anyone else from grabbing them. If any of them go missing, notify anyone working at the airport immediately. They lock it down and do not let flights leave or anyone in or out of secured areas until the child is found.
I think that's about it... I know it's a lot, but traveling with multiple small kids is a lot to handle. Have a safe trip and Merry Christmas! :-)

Maureen - posted on 12/19/2011

Don't wrap the presents ahead of time. I would shop for the presents once you are down there. You can get most anything at Walmart. THey may not go through security. I traveled with my three kids by myself this spring. I recommend stowing the car seats underneath. We found some traingle shaped crayons so if they fell the kids could still get them. Have the oldest carry a small back pack with her stuff. THey love acting all grown up. Have them wear easy slip off shoes just to get through security. They have to walk through by themselves. I explained how it would be beforehand so it cut down on the nervoisness. If they have a favorite blanket or toy let them carry that on. Packing for three days is good because chances are they will get more clothes for Christmas anyway. Bring an additional bag to bring all the presents baxk. Good luck.

Sofia - posted on 12/19/2011

thanks! all great tips :)

Kimberly - posted on 12/18/2011

oh I meant to say too if you roll your clothes instead of folding you fit more it!!

Kimberly - posted on 12/18/2011

Ok I have only ever flown with one kid but have been overseas back and forth. Do the kids have to be in carseats in the plane? If they dont then check them underneath as this will make it much less to carry. Also try to limit your suitcases to two, one for all the kids and one for you and hubby with presents. If your staying at your mom's for a week is there anyway you can hit walmart or some other cheap store and just but three towels while down there and leave them at your mom's for next visit? If you can wash maybe even cut down on the clothes to three days. For on the plane have a backpack for the kids which has snacks, drinks, books, colouring books and crayons, dont know if you have one but a portable dvd player is great. Or get a movie on flight, diapers and a change of clothes even if it just a top for each kid. Or you can get the two older ones there own little bags then only have to carry stuff for the youngest. Make sure you take some kind of candy or gum if they can have it for take off and landings so there ears will pop and if the youngest have a soother or drinks a bottle give it to them then. Hope this helps a little and wish you a very merry christmas