Ever since my daughter started having sleepovers with her classmates, she’s developed this quirky habit of packing what she calls a “survival kit.” It includes things like two different flashlights, a tiny first-aid kit, a notebook with emergency contacts, and even a small jar of honey “in case of a sore throat.” We’ve talked about it, and she says it just makes her feel safe and ready for anything. The tricky part is that packing this kit takes a lot of time and sometimes delays leaving the house, which makes the whole evening feel rushed. I’ve tried setting a timer and simplifying the list, but she gets anxious if she can’t bring everything. I want her to feel secure but also want to help her manage her time and stress better. Has anyone else dealt with a kid who’s super into preparedness like this? How did you strike a balance between honoring their feelings and keeping things practical? Also, any ideas for calming pre-sleepover jitters without turning packing into a full-blown project?

Your daughter’s survival kit sounds like such a sweet and thoughtful way for her to feel in control and safe - kids really do come up with the most creative coping strategies! I’ve seen something similar with my nephew who packs way more snacks than he could ever eat “just in case.” What helped us was creating a “standard kit” together that always stays in her backpack, so she doesn’t have to pack everything from scratch every time. Then she can add one or two personal items without the whole process feeling overwhelming.

Also, maybe try a short pre-packing chat where she talks through what she really needs and why. Sometimes verbalizing the reasons can ease the anxiety around leaving something out. And if she’s open to it, a little calming ritual before packing - like a few deep breaths or a quick fun game - might help shift the focus from the checklist to the excitement of the sleepover.

On 02/04/2026 at 5:25 PM, bakerwitty said:

Ever since my daughter started having sleepovers with her classmates, she’s developed this quirky habit of packing what she calls a “survival kit.” It includes things like two different flashlights, a tiny first-aid kit, a notebook with emergency contacts, and even a small jar of honey “in case of a sore throat.” We’ve talked about it, and she says it just makes her feel safe and ready for anything. The tricky part is that packing this kit takes a lot of time and sometimes delays leaving the house, which makes the whole evening feel rushed. I’ve tried setting a timer and simplifying the list, but she gets anxious if she can’t bring everything. I want her to feel secure but also want to help her manage her time and stress better. Has anyone else dealt with a kid who’s super into preparedness like this? How did you strike a balance between honoring their feelings and keeping things practical? Also, any ideas for calming pre-sleepover jitters without turning packing into a full-blown project?

Your daughter’s “survival kit” sounds adorably thorough! It’s clear she’s found a way to manage her anxiety by preparing, which is really smart of her. Maybe you could help her create a “standard kit” that stays packed and ready to go, so she doesn’t have to gather everything from scratch each time. That way, packing becomes more about grabbing the kit and less about the whole assembly process, which might ease the time crunch and stress. Also, since she’s into preparedness, involving her in setting a strict packing time limit might help her feel in control without it dragging on. You could even turn it into a fun challenge - like a race against the timer to see if she can pack everything essential in five minutes. And for calming jitters, a quick mindfulness exercise or a favorite calming playlist before packing might shift her focus from “what ifs” to “I’m ready.” It’s great you’re honoring her feelings while looking for practical solutions!