Do you always dread the night before you leave for a family vacation? I mean, there are so many things to do. And it is simple to forget to do some of the most important things! I used to dread these nights for the longest time. Then I created a checklist of the things I needed to do the night before any family vacation. I simply check things off as I do them and fall asleep knowing I am ready for the morning. You can even use this checklist for romantic vacations with your spouse or a weekend getaway with friends. I know you will appreciate this list as much as I did when I wrote it!  

Things to Do the Night Before Your Amazing Family Vacation 

Back Up All Your Devices 

This is the one thing most people do not think about doing prior to a family vacation. But what would happen if your device was stolen? Or got knocked into the ocean, only to be found in nonworking order?  

Backing up your devices ensures everything on them will be waiting for you once you purchase a new device. Simply set up the new device from your backup and everything will be right where you left it.  

Charge All the Batteries 

Long layovers at airports, longer car rides, and plenty of downtime while traveling are what you should expect when you are headed to your destination. One of the only ways your kids, and you, are going to survive it all is if you have your devices charged and ready to use.  

I recommend charging your portable chargers too. This way you can use those for charging your devices if necessary before you reach your destination.  

After everything is charged completely, put all those chargers and adapters into your carry-on bag. This will ensure you have them ready to use on your family vacation.  

Read Through Your Itinerary 

If you have me plan your family vacation, I will send you an itinerary that lists everything you will be doing each day. It will also show your flight information, hotel or resort information, and other information that is important for your family vacation.  

The night before is a great time to review it once more, so you remember what is going on. Plus, it will ensure you arrive at the airport on time, because your departure time will be fresh in your head.  

This is also an excellent time to put your passports and other important documents into your carry-on bag.

Take Out Cash from the ATM 

I know that using a credit card is the easiest way to pay when traveling. However, it is important that you have some cash readily available for your trip and know how to carry your cash properly. If you are traveling internationally, I recommend going to your bank a week or two before your departure and having them get you money in the currency you need.  

This is also an excellent time to alert your credit card companies that you will be traveling. By doing this, the companies won’t decline your cards as being used fraudulently.  

Complete a Medication Check 

I usually make sure to check prescription medications a few days before I leave for vacation to make sure I will have enough. If you do forget, make sure you do it early enough on the night before your trip, so you can make an emergency trip to the pharmacy if necessary.  

This is also a good time to make sure you are stocked up on all the over-the-counter medications you may need while traveling.  

Finish Packing 

Hopefully you will be all packed for your family vacation at this point. However, if you haven’t pulled those suitcases out yet, it is time. Have your kids and spouse pack their own bags. Or at least have them give you what they want to take. Depending on your family, you may need to double check what they have given you. This will allow you to avoid clothing issues once you have reached your destination.  

Get a Good Night’s Sleep 

Once you have everything else on this list done, it will be time to get a good night’s sleep. This is the most important item on the list, because enough sleep will allow you to think clearly if an issue arises while you are traveling.  

These are all the things I have on my list to do the night before a family vacation. You may have other items you need to add, depending on your family and responsibilities. I recommend creating a list and saving it on your computer. Then you can simply print it out and check things off for each family vacation you take. That way you can focus more on the memories you will be making and less on the things you forgot to do before you left.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your next trip?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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