When you’re a mom, packing your bag for work or fun can feel like gearing up for an extended cross-country hike. Moms end up carrying everyone else’s things by default on top of their own everyday essentials. And when you’re a working mom with multiple little ones? Your purse can become a diaper bag full of questionable items, mystery trash, and random toys.
But mom’s everyday bag doesn’t have to be a bottomless pit of chaos! With a little bit of organization, you can easily pack everything you need for work and mom duty in one bag without losing your sense of style. Ditch your old backpack diaper bag and stash that oversized tote for another day; we’re going to show you how to successfully pack the essentials and always have everything you need.
First Aid
The number one item that should be in every mom’s bag is a first aid kit tailored to your little one’s needs. During family outings, it never fails that someone will get a boo-boo, a runny nose, or begin to feel unwell. By having some basics on hand, you’ll avoid having to run to the nearest pharmacy or go back home to take care of minor health issues. You’ll probably find yourself dipping into this mini kit from time to time to take care of your own issues, too!
Your on-the-go first aid kit should be a small, zippered container used only for medical items you might need on the go.
These items can include:
- Kid’s medication (children’s painkillers, antihistamines, epinephrine shots, prescriptions)
- Kids bandages
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hand sanitizer
- Tissues
While parents who still need to pack a diaper bag might require even more gear, parents of older children can pare down their everyday essentials. Feel free to customize your first aid kit with healthcare items you know that your family may need on a regular basis. Check for expiration dates on medicines, replenish bandages and tissues, and make sure you have everything you need at hand.
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Kid Stuff
There’s nothing worse than a bored kid when you’re in a waiting room, in the car, or at a restaurant. While you might have your child bring their own entertainment during planned events, sometimes things come up, and it’s always useful to have a backup plan that doesn’t involve screens. Think about items that would be useful to you for every day and items that your child might be interested in, too. Like with the first aid kit, stash these items in their own separate zippered compartment for easy organization.
These items can include:
- Small notebook and pen for drawing
- Deck of cards
- Crossword puzzle or game book
- Earbuds/headphones for screen time
- Snacks/treads
While it might be tempting to pack your child’s favorite toy car, stuffed animal, bedtime book, baby blanket, and more, resist the temptation! Remember that this is ultimately your travel bag and not a diaper bag or a catchall. Keep little bags of your child’s favorite healthy snack, like nuts or dried fruit, for after school or in between appointments. Consider carrying only items that will make being out and about pleasant for both you and your little ones.
Mom Stuff
Moms have lots of stuff, too! Whether you’re a low-maintenance mom or like to tote around everything but the kitchen sink, it’s important to express yourself through fashion and make space for the everyday things you use too. Don’t sacrifice room for the items you’ll need to go from the office to the parent pickup line to after-school soccer practice.
These items can include:
- Makeup bag
- Hair brush/hair care
- Wallet
- Phone
- Keys
- E-reader
- Sunglasses case
- Phone charger
One way that you can easily differentiate your personal items from kid items is to have a purse within your purse. A small, stylish clutch that contains all of your essentials will be easy to locate and keep your personal items separate from those of your kids. Plus, when you’re ready for a date night or a girl’s night out, all you have to do is grab your clutch and leave everything else behind.
The Bag
When it comes to picking out a bag to do double duty for work and being a mom, it’s important not to lose yourself in the decision. You can easily select a roomy everyday bag that fits your personal taste and lifestyle without choosing something boring or outside of your taste. While a spacious bag is a must, selecting the right one for you and your individual needs is varied and should be determined by a few different things.
- Style: Backpacks and tote bags are a great option for working moms. If you find that you’ll need to bring a laptop with you often, a laptop backpack is a great option for you. If you find that you want the option to have easy access to everything, then a sturdy tote bag is a better choice for you.
- Design: Choose a color, pattern, and material that speaks to your style and aesthetic. Just like selecting a purse or a pair of shoes, this bag will be with you wherever you go. Make sure it reflects your taste and personal style so you can be proud to tote it around.
- Organization: Look for lots of easy-access pockets to keep all of your things organized. A bag with great built-in organization can make it easier to ditch a wallet or other small bags that might be crowding you.
- Space: Select a bag that has more room than you need. During the year, your needs will change and you might find that you’ll want to add even more items to your everyday bag. Leave a little room for an extra blanket, hat, or other necessary items you’ll use throughout the year on a short-term basis.
Essentially, the number of items you carry around in your day-to-night, weekday-to-weekend workhorse bag is going to be up to you. As your child grows, their needs will change, and you’ll be able to ditch a lot of bulky items in favor of smaller, more portable, manageable things. Roomy new style bags are the perfect family to accommodate your growing family when you venture out into the world.
