Family on the Go

It’s probably safe to say moms usually do the majority of the packing for family vacations. If you’re like me, you make lists and ensure the kids are all set, and you have absolutely everything you could possibly need for them before considering packing for yourself.

We will discuss what to bring to keep kids entertained, help in the car, plane or while out in later articles, but after forgetting things for myself, not prioritizing my own items and not always feeling 100% while traveling with the family, I wanted to take a moment to share some of my favorite items to keep me feeling my best on vacation.

These 10 things help me feel a little more like me while traveling:

Comfortable shoes

If you’re like us, we are always walking and increasing our steps exponentially compared to when we’re at home. For me, I want to be comfortable and able to easily walk from place to place but also don’t want to look like I’m walking the mall in the late 90s.

If we are just leisurely walking around the city or a museum, I tend to grab comfortable sandals. These Clark’s flat sandals have great support, are under $40 and are often on sale. I bought two pairs and both have lasted over two years. I even wore these on a 30,000 step Disney trip sans kids, and they held up tremendously. I can’t say enough good things about the comfort of these sandals.

My go-to travel tennis shoe is the Adidas Cloudfoam Running Shoe. Now, I wouldn’t be running a half marathon in these – and honestly wouldn’t use them specifically as running shoes, but for distance walking, sprinting to a gate or chasing kids around a children’s museum or zoo, they are the perfect footwear choice.

You can usually find them on sale or buy the last season’s style priced more reasonably than the latest one. They also come in a variety of colors, which can make it dangerous when you like them that much and want one of each.

Duffle/Diaper Bag

I made the mistake of buying a very expensive, designer diaper bag with my first child. I loved how it looked, but it wasn’t as practical as a bag to hold diapers, burp cloths and bottles should be.

As the boys have gotten older, the diapers and bottles have become less, but activity books, toys, snacks and cups have taken over; I need something big and durable.

When we travel, I tend to pack backup outfits for the boys and myself, along with activities for when we’re out and the extra space in the bag becomes a home for souvenirs, leftover food or anything else we pick up along the way.

Compartments and shoulder straps are a big plus with any weekender or duffle bag. It’s also imperative to fit under the stroller or easily in a wagon so you don’t always have to carry it with you. There’s no specific bag I recommend over others as it becomes a matter of preference, but regardless of what style you like, I just recommend practicality, space and compartments.

Extra clothes

After the first loose diaper or blow out, I started leaving an extra outfit in the diaper bag for the boys at all times. But, if you’re like me, it took multiple spills or accidents – while holding my kids – for me to remember to bring a backup outfit for myself.

I try to keep my extra clothes comfortable, but still something I would want to wear. Maxi dresses are always a safe bet. I usually pack at least one or two. It’s easy to just throw it on and still feel pretty and put together.

Comfortable, nice pants that can be mixed and matched with tops are also a great duffle bag filler.

Now, you definitely don’t need to buy clothes just to have a backup while on the go, but if this gives you a way to justify it, you’re welcome!

When I pack, I’ll plan one outfit per day and then I may put one or two extra outfits with them in my suitcase and one in the diaper/duffle bag to always have on hand for those unexpected – yet inevitable – accidents.

Dry shampoo

I don’t know about you all, but I used to get up every morning and my hair would be washed before I left the house. Since kids and the pandemic, I am a new woman and shampoo touches my hair maybe once every other day. Vacation is no different, especially if we have tours planned, want to get out early or need to hit the hotel breakfast before there’s a line for the waffle maker. If you don’t understand that reference, you might be in need of a higher end list than what I will provide.

On the mornings when we will be active or I need to get myself and the boys ready, dry shampoo does the Lord’s work, making it look like I washed my hair. It’s a staple in my toiletry bag for the days when it’s needed most.

Heatless hair curler

I’m usually skeptical about these types of products, but this is my new obsession. If you don’t have a lot of time but want your hair to look like you put even the smallest amount of effort into it, this is a must.

For under $10 and a couple hours, you can have comfortable beach waves or curly hair with these heatless hair curlers. I like that it’s easy to wrap your hair around and you can do other things – or sleep – with it in to get nice, bouncy curls when you take it out. I’ve started taking it with me instead of a curling iron or wand on each of our trips.

A skincare regimen

There’s a theme here because after kids, my skin has never quite been the same, so I need to stick to a routine while traveling if I want to keep breakouts and my skin under control.

I found this Clinique gift set and absolutely love it. Not only does it have a great moisturizer and overnight mask, but it also has an exfoliating scrub, lipstick, mascara and comes in a nice makeup bag that is great to throw in a duffle or carry on.

I bring additional skincare products and makeup, but even just these Clinique items help me feel more like myself and give me a great look with minimal effort.

Wrinkle repair

If you don’t have to worry about wrinkles – or they don’t bother you – I’m jealous. In order to keep my forehead looking younger than 80, I need to stick to an anti wrinkle regimen each night.

This simple Rapid Wrinkle Repair Serum is one of my favorites. I just add it to my nightly routine before bed and feel like my skin looks younger in the morning.

Moisturizer

I’ve always dealt with dry skin and sometimes Eczema, so a good moisturizing lotion is key, especially when traveling and not hydrating as much as usual. I stick to Cerave Moisturizing Cream at home, so when I saw they made it in travel size, it’s consistently stayed in my toiletry bag.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a fancy lotion at some of the nicer hotels, but to keep my skin from drying out, Cerave is the way to go for me.

Lip balm

As I mentioned, I never drink enough water while on vacation, so any form of hydration helps. Vaseline Lip Therapy keeps my lips feeling soft and with it being a tinted balm, it gives them a little color. I instantly feel like I look a little more alive as soon as I put this on.

Razor

And lastly (and this might not be important to all) is a great travel razor. Just so I can wear whatever I want or if I need to swim with the boys, I keep this in my bag so I can quickly shave and not have to worry about stubble or unwanted hair. It’s extremely small and easy to fit in any bag.

Some other items I love but didn’t make the list are:

A good travel shampoo and conditioner

A nice toiletry bag with a hook and compartments

Tweezers

Makeup remover

Tech bag with multiple chargers

Ear buds for after kids go to bed but you want to watch or listen to something

These are all suggestions and items that make me feel more comfortable and more like myself when traveling. You may have a different preference of brands or your own specific needs, and that is perfectly fine. My only goal is for us moms to think of ourselves even a little bit after thinking about everyone else’s needs.