My husband asked me a few days ago why it was that I packed 4 bags for a 4-day trip away.
Here’s what I packed:
1 bag for me. Clothes. Hairdryer. Brush. Toiletries. Flip-flops.
1 bag for William and Alexander. Clothes for both of them. Sneakers and sandels. Along with Alexander’s “blankies” and diapers. Medicine (William and Alexander both had ear infections and just getting over pink eye).
1 bag for Benjamin. Clothes. Burp clothes. Hats. Binkies. Bottles. Formula. Diapers. Wet wipes. And his special white blanket.
1 bag for the beach/pool. Bathing suits (my husband’s included). Towels. Lotion. Sippy cups/snacks. Shovels, pails, balls.
He packed:
1 small bag for himself with some shorts, tees and one pair of jeans.
So I said to him, after we got to the hotel -
“What would you have packed for the boys?”
And here is why a Mom is different than a Dad…
He just figured the boys would be in their bathing suits the while time and only would need one change of clothes that we could just wash while we were away.
He’s the best Daddy in the world… but this is why Mama packs for all the boys when we go away!
hahaha… the same as in our household. The hubbs is in charge of his bags and I always pack for the girls and I. I could only imagine what he would pack for the girls hehe.
Hee hee…this is something that would happen at our house! There’s no telling what we would leave behind if he packed for everyone.
Totally and completely true!
But you know, every time I pack us all up for a trip, I can’t help but feel a little bitter when I see my husband with his ONE simple bag. I would love, for once, to pack for myself.
Hahaha! My husband’s the same way! I actually envy how small his bags are when we travel. I always bring just about everything in my closet, and my kids’ closets, along with us.
Ahhh, we’re going through this same conversation lately. I always pack and get the kids ready but he criticizes me for doing too much. I can only imagine what would happen if he was in charge. A whole lotta nakedness, that’s what.
What I find really amazing – how it can take longer for a man to pack that one bag of his stuff, than a woman to pack things for 3 kids and herself?
Or how the kids get dirty every day on the trip, but it still is the Daddy that runs out of clean clothes?
Oh, and I used to get that “why 4 bags” question. Then I bought the biggest Sampsonite and now I can fit all my and kids stuff in one bag – with wheels under! I don’t care what people think of me with the huge luggage even on short trips – it works!
Remember when I bought the three giant LL Bean duffle bags… one for you and Janie, one for Keith and Adam, and one for me and Dad? I packed every piece of ski gear and clothes, etc. into those 3 bags, washed the stuff we used when we got home, and just repacked the bags! That worked for years! And remember your swim bags? Same thing! Pack, wash, pack… always ready! Now I just have to figure out how to always be that organized with grandchildren things!
Mom – Pinks & Blues Girls
LOL so true! Any time Steve and I go away on a trip, I have a big suitcase filled to capacity…he’s got a little duffle bag! lol xox
So true! We went on a trip to the Grand Canyon earler this summer, and my husband packed one pair of jeans and a T-shirt for himself. Imagine my surprise when I asked him why he didn’t bring an extra pair of underwear. “I thought YOU’D pack one for me,” he said. After my blank stare, he said, “Well, I knew we’d be going swimming, so I didn’t need another pair.” Uh, yeah…he couldn’t admit he forgot. Once we got back home, I threw those tighty-whites in the garbage.
Love your blog!
It was the same around here while the girls were young. Of course now they pack their own stuff. At least your DH packs his own bag! My DH mainly on me. Plus if I don’t help, he would just pack a bathing suit. Then on the way to wherever we are going he starts asking “Did you bring________?”
So true, so true! Good thing we moms know what the kids need before they need it!
A mom is so imortant! So is a dad, but obviously not for packing! lol
I would not trust my husband to pack for a child ever! My daughter now 13 has been packing herself for any trip or overnight for the last three years. She could probably pack her baby sister better than dear husband.
LOL, My husband refuses to dress our girls anymore much less pack for them! Too many times where I’ve tried to put on a straight face and merely said, “That’s what they’re wearing today?”. I’m not very good at the straight face thing though.
Audrey that is too funny. I use to pack also for the same reason. I always got made fun of “overpacking” the kids but I was prepared for anything, even delays and emergencies. From your list it sounds like you had the bases covered.
The best part is when you FORGET something and your husband looks at you like… “HOW COULD YOU!” Didn’t see him packing the bag. Mom’s have to be on top of it all the time!
ha ha, men are so funny. They will never really know.
LOL, that’s such a cute but sadly true post! I’ve decided long ago that it takes nearly as much to pack for a few days as it does for many–there are the staples that have to go EVERYwhere! No matter how short the time. I hope the trip is great, and hope those boys got to spend hours and hours in the swim suits! Despite it all. xoxo
Too funny! My man would do the same thing.
LOL
there are some things that daddies just don’t get.
I love your story, My husband would probably have done te same thing LOL
I can totally relate! Everytime we go away my husband thinks i over pack. Men don’t realize that to get ready you have get yourself and the kids ready, they only get themselves!
I didn’t even have to read this post to know the answer…NO…men should never pack the bags!! You’ll end up buying a new wardrobe and all new toiletries!!
Agree! I always take on the responsibility of packing for the kiddos. But good job, you were able to pack baby things into 2 bags! I would have brought the whole house with me
I hope you have a grand time. Can’t wait for pictures!
4 bags? For 4 people?
Ok, that only is astounding… I need 4 bags just for me.
My husband is actually the opposite. He would pack the kitchen sink if I let him. hee hee
Ha ha, very light packer. But his reason and the way he explained were funny and cute =)
See, this is why I can no longer even let me husband pack for himself without some serious intervention. He doesn’t even count the days we’re going to be gone correctly. See the problem (clean underwear).
Oy!
Oh my goodness, this is my traveling life! So good to know I’m in good company!
That sounds about right!
Dads are great at having fun and being the hero, not packing!! They are capable, but it would require the kids literally having one outfit for one trip for him to ‘get it’. 
One night without the special blankets or cuddly toys. One time and I think he would get it, I am not willing to suffer through it though. It just isn’t worth it!
my hubby, bless his heart, would forget to pack for our kids!! I barely have half the suitcase for me when I pack. I would rather buy clothing at our destination than pack. I dislike it immensely.
I try to be a minimalist when packing (for a family of 6, the car can get full pretty quick). My 15yo packs herself and always takes twice as much stuff as I would pack if I were in charge. But for a 4-day trip, I could probably get the 6 of us by on 3 suitcases and a carry-on.
I don’t think I need to worry about it for now, though. Doesn’t look like I’m going anywhere for a LONG time.