Aibu holiday packing

[hooochycoo]

Family of four, two kids, age 6 and 9. Both have SEN, youngest still not toilet trained. Can’t carry own bags.

Going on holiday for 10 days to Italy. Staying in 3 different locations and travelling by train. Air B and B accommodation.

Parent one wants to take just one hold luggage ( suitcase) for children’s stuff. And then four pieces of hand baggage for rest of stuff ( parents stuff and any stuff needed on plane/train) ie 2 backpacks and two children’s backpacks/trunkis

Parent two wants to take two hold luggage ( suitcase for all kids stuff, suitcase for some of parents stuff, coats , shoes plus nappies, incontinence pads , wipes) and miminal hand baggage ( ie 2 small hand bags with stuff for kids to amuse them/ snacks/ tablets/ changing stuff) and 2 small back packs with rest of parents stuff .

Who is right? Is their a better way to do it?

Parent two is right. Stuff having to stress about putting all the things that you need into one case plus hand luggage.

In the scheme of a holiday, the £100 or whatever is well spent.

Just to add to the second scenario, children’s bags would be small enough to put inside suitcases when out of airport.

Essentially different is

1 - only 1 hold suitcase, but 4 pieces of large hang luggage

2 - 2 hold suitcases. 2 hand baggage size rucksacks. 2 small children’s bags to fit inside suitcases

Option 2!

We have younger children (3 and 5) who also can't carry their own luggage and we take only carry-on. Especially when we're staying in a few differnt places - easier to lug about. 2 small wheelie cases and 2 rucksacks so each parent pulls a case with a rucksack on their back and a hand free to keep hold of over-excited children.
When the children were too young for their own carry-on luggage allowence we took 1 hold bag, it was nice to ditch it!

Do you need pushchair/wheelchair or other equipment for dc? How 'under control' are you kids in statiins etc?
With mine (Who are younger but eldest has issues similar) we would have 1 case, 1 hand luggage and 1 child for each adult. But both my kids can walk around station etc. But would need a hand hold. I would give each of the kids a backpack for their entertainment bits.

You are definitely parent 2 and are obviously right

By cases I do not mean a max sized one - I would have 4 wheels and be easily draggable. I would also ensure you pack all you need in terms of medical stuff for dc as the hassle of getting it abroad as it can ruin a holiday.

If the children can’t carry their own bags then having four pieces of hand luggage is ridiculous. You’ll be trying to sort the kids out, including dealing with their special needs, plus wrangle a piece of hand luggage in each hand. Unless you’re both octopuses it ain’t gonna work!

The relatively small (in proportion to the whole holiday) cost of an extra hold bag will be totally worth it for your sanity.

Duh

Parent Two

Parent 2

We’ve not decided about wheelchairs/buggies. Oldest does occasionally still use wheelchair when tired/ill/overstimulated but can increasingly manage without . Youngest has special needs buggy that they occasionally use , but doesn’t really need it. Usually just uses it out of laziness or jealousy when oldest using wheelchair.

Not sure whether to take them or not. Not used trains in Italy before, don’t know if it’ll be more hassle than it’s worse for the occasional use.

But then if either of them get ill /tired we’ll need them.

Hmmmmm

How did you guess i’m Parent 2? I was trying to be even handed.

Parent 1 thinks we’re crazy to pay for another hold bag.

Parent 2 ie you are right. Could you take one push chair/ wheel chair just in case or is there scope to hire when there?

And make sure you pack a bit of everyone’s stuff in each suitcase just in case only one makes it!

So if you take 2 chairs, (your probably going to need to they will get tired) what can you realistically manage? Is there stowing space on the chairs?
IF you can carry it could you compromise on 2 hold on the way but reduce to 1 on the way back - using the second for the disposable stuff the dc need in a bag which can fold into another for return?

We've just been to Florida with one severely disabled child and another high functioning autistic child.
We could have 5 bits if hold luggage and we needed them all.... He's oeg fed and double incontinent. We had 2 luggage for 5 people with clothes and the rest was equipment.
You may as well take cabin suitcases for hand luggage. We found Matalan had suitcases you could strap together...this was our lifesaver !!!!

I'd usually do anything to save paying for a hold bag but given your circumstances I'd go with parent 2. It will make for a much less stressful journey and worth paying the extra

When I have travelled with them both on my own I can easily manage to push one wheelchair whilst pulling a suitcase , wearing a rucksack and hanging a bag or two off the chair .

Bags should be as large as possible. If you're moving around, you need not to be squeezing things into bags. There's got to be enough room in them for you to be able to find things without completely emptying them out, otherwise it gets messy.

Regional trains in Italy can often involve several steps to get onto the train. I am not sure about the more expensive long-distance ones (frecciabianca/rossa). Don't know if that helps you decide about wheelchairs/buggies.

Thank you! That’s very useful
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