Now that the presents are all opened, the candles have been lit, and the New Year’s cheers are almost all said, it is time to gear up for getting back to work.

And if 2020 is the year for a new home for you, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you get ready to go house shopping, especially if you’re bringing your children with you.

Plan ahead: Plan for snacks, potty breaks and entertainment for your kiddos. Make sure they’ve had a good breakfast or lunch before you set out. Plan to bring handy, minimally messy, and easy to pack snacks and water.

Perhaps it is easier for you to follow your agent in your own car, replete with car seats and entertaining toys and snacks rather than transfer all of that gear into your agent’s car. Then plan for managing the children while they are touring the homes.

Make a hard and fast rule about not carrying any of their toys into the homes you are touring; that way they can’t lose anything precious in the process. Also make a hard and fast rule about not touching any of the other children’s toys when they are in someone else’s house.

Secure your valuables: Keep your purse, wallet, cell phone and car keys close to you as you get in and out of your car. Or just keep your keys and phone with you and secure all of the rest in your car’s glove compartment or trunk.

Lock your car at every home. Know where your car keys are at all times. Use your phone to take pictures of the houses as you look around.

Assign roles: Even if you are touring solo, plan ahead for what you need to accomplish as you tour each home. Print out the MLS information on each home in your tour and make notes as you visit each of the homes.

Assess each of the homes against your “must-have” list thoroughly and systematically. If there are two adults, divvy up the roles and have one wrangle the children and the other make thorough and systematic notes.

Dress appropriately: Raincoats, umbrellas and warm jackets may be in order, depending on the weather. Check the forecast the day before so you can pack the appropriate gear.

Or you can just wake up, throw the kids in the car and wing it.

Leslie Sargent Eskildsen is an agent with Realty One Group. She can be reached at 949-678-3373 or leslie@leslieeskildsen.com.