V boring packing question

[Puisanceel]

I'm taking my 5 year old to London next week on the train, to stay with his grandparents for a week (We arrive Monday early afternoon, return Friday just after lunch).

I have ADHD and get overwhelmed by packing. I cannot drive due to (another) medical condition which can cause blackouts so we have to travel via train. We both enjoy this but I always seem to bring WAY too much stuff and struggle to carry it.

How much would you bring? What size bag/suitcase would you use?!?!

Has your son got a backpack? I'd use that for immediately accessible stuff on the train. So fir me with a 4 and 6 yr old that would be spares pants, socks, trousers for 4 yr old. Cereal bar each, piece if fruit each,Wipes,bottle of water. In the front pocket small pscjs of pencils or crayons, tissues, mask. I'd buy them a new magazine fir the journey.

If you visit reasonably often I'd buy a couple if colouring books, pencils, a lego or 2,couple if board games etc to leave there

Why do you need so much underwear?

Because I wear a fresh pair at night.

Then pack your big rucksack and have a bag for life near the top that you fish out on the train

Great idea thank you

If you get stuff down your clothes but they aren't sweaty then you can give them a wipe with a cloth to get the worst off and wear them again. I would especially if I was travelling. That could halve the jumpers and trousers you need to take?

Use packing cubes inside your bags. Makes a big difference!

@SweepTheHalls

Use packing cubes inside your bags. Makes a big difference!

I came on to say this! Get some for next time, they make such a difference

I used to go to my mums on tne train when the kids were little. My mum bought the kids cute little colourful wheelie suitcases that they could wheel themselves. I had a giant walking rucksuck for my stuff and also some of the kids stuff that didnt fit in theirs.

I also carried a large satchel with train snacks, playing cards, colouring etc for the journey.

I do have packing cubes so will definitely use them

DS has his own rucksack but only a tiny one- really only good for a drink and a couple of snacks.

That makes sense.

Well take lots of pants then and just ditch all the other stuff.

Also period is due Friday so if it comes early will need contingency pants!

I would take as much as you need but roll the clothes are you pack them. You will get so much more in. Take your big case and a fairly big bag for the train with his stuff to play with in.

Things like socks and knickers can be squeezed into tiny little gaps.

When I did this with DD, we took a large (50 litre) rucksack inside which I had a fabric tote bag (takes up very little space on its own) with essentials/lunch in it. DD had her own backpack.

One thing that made my life easier was that when we were going through stations etc., my purse/phone were in a little backpack DD was carrying. Then I had easy access to them rather than having to get my big rucksack on and off. However if there's any possibility you or your DS will lose his little backpack, don't do this!

It's very uncool I know, but I usually use a bumbag for my phone, keys and money.

It's very uncool I know, but I usually use a bumbag for my phone, keys and money.

Uncool is a lot better than losing them