Practical guide · Updated on 7 November 2026
A bag that’s ready, without moving house at every handover.
A list designed for the days ahead is more useful than an inventory of everything your child owns.
Start from the week ahead
Look at the week’s activities and needs before packing the bag. Swimming kit is only needed if there is swimming: no need to send it back and forth every time.
Separate what stays from what travels
Where possible, keep a few things in each home, and work out what has to follow your child: comforter, school bag, medicines. Also note any specific documents and school equipment. For health, the child’s health record book (carnet de santé) is given to the parents who hold parental authority: decide where it is kept. Service Public recommends recording vaccinations and medical reports in Mon espace santé, which can be accessed from both homes. The Assurance Maladie also recommends adding your child to each parent’s Carte Vitale.
Don’t make your child do the organising
Your child can help depending on their age, but it is the adults who manage the information and sort out anything forgotten. The “moving between homes” checklist in the free kit gives you a starting point to adapt.
Your questions
Do I need to buy two of everything?
No. Go by your needs and your budget. Start by working out what really travels. Everyday purchases count as routine acts: each parent can make them alone. Important decisions, on the other hand, need both parents to agree.
How do we deal with something forgotten?
Agree on a simple way to flag it and get it back, without asking your child to act as the go-between.