Like many of you, I never checked bags before I had kids. I traveled all over the globe without ever spending a moment at the dreaded airport baggage carousel. But now that I do have kids, packing light is about as achievable as, say, time travel.

So, forget packing light. Aim for packing lighter instead. Here are a few suggestions to help. You’ll still be checking bags, but at least they’ll be lighter bags.

Shop on arrival

This isn’t everyone’s idea of a vacation, but if you’re traveling with kids you’ll probably wind up shopping when you arrive anyway. Consider picking up things like crayons, shampoo, granola bars, mac n’ cheese, cold medicine and diapers after you arrive. Why schlep it all across airports and time zones if you don’t have to?

Break the shoe habit

The temptation to bring running shoes, sandals, walking shoes and dressy shoes is great, but shoes are heavy and bulky. And guess what? Nobody is really looking at your feet anyway. Try to bring no more than two pairs per person if you can.

Plan to do laundry

If you’ll be staying in a condo or apartment with laundry facilities, throw a plastic baggie of laundry detergent into your suitcase. It’s better than bringing a separate outfit for every person for each day of your trip. You’ll feel a little underpacked at first, but you’ll get used to it.

Read less

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is relax with a mindless novel or five. Since I’m not willing to compromise on this, I go to my local library or thrift shop and stock up on paperbacks. (They’re lighter than their hardcover counterparts.) Unless you’re going somewhere remote or foreign, you can pick up books at your destination too and leave them behind when you’re done.

Rent it

Traveling light can seem especially impossible when traveling with an infant. My advice? Rent what you need. Companies like Babies Travel Lite can set you up with strollers, car seats and high chairs, and they can have it delivered before you arrive. It may seem like an unnecessary extravagance, but with airlines increasingly charging for checked bags, it can save both your money and your sanity.