I am a Mom that NEEDS to be out and about. I am Mommy to two boys, 3.5 years and 7 months and I WISH I could be the Mom to sit and play trains for hours on end and not care about painting and playdough messes but “at home” play finds me thinking about what I should be preparing for dinner, what I can clean, or otherwise diverting my attention away from my children. Don’t get me wrong, we definitely do hang out at home and have our share of fun making crafts, playing in the yard, cooking etc., but ultimately, I find I more fun when I am out with my kids doing stuff FOR them, WITH them. I also find I am better organized if I have a plan for my day.
Recently, I began a note on my iPhone where I jot down tips for being out and about and then decided that they were too good to not pass on to others! Here are some tips you will not find on Pinterest!
Let’s start with the diaper bag:
- Don’t waste your money on one. Instead, think oversize purse. I use a LUG Puddle Jumper that I will most definitely use long after my youngest is out of diapers for a gym bag or whatever. A diaper bag looks like a diaper bag and once your little one is past the diaper stage you will likely not want to see it around anymore.
- Once you change to a general use “diaper bag” it can accommodate “stuff” for all children, not necessarily just those in diapers. (ie: a changes of clothes, snacks, water, packable activities etc.)
- In your “diaper bag”, keep diapers (obviously), but also keep them in your vehicle. You WILL use them. And when you do – replace them!
- Keep socks for the family in your “diaper bag”. Socks are required at many, if not all indoor play facilities and recreation centres. In the summer when you are all in flip-flops you will drop up to $5 / pair for socks for the family that centres will sell to you on location.
- Also keep small plastic bags in your “diaper bag”. Even if just a ziplock full of ziplocks. I use these daily to contain the smells of dirty diapers and dirty laundry. You also never know when you will have to pack around garbage or a smelly diaper with you if there is no bin. Dirty laundry has a separate bag. When you get home, whatever you throw out or throw in the laundry – replace immediately!
- Great for hauling around the “diaper bag”, picnic lunch and (of course), kids – is a wagon. I much prefer this to a leash… Also great for kids that may need to rest their legs wherever you may be (zoo, park etc.)
Stay tuned for more top tips on picnics and what NOT to bring when you head out with the kids!
Mommy of 2 boys (3.5 years and 7 months), Claire Schneider is passionate about writing and photography (by no means a professional in either) and active in her community. Life before and between maternity leaves (and possibly after her current leave) finds Claire as a Senior HR Consultant spending her days working on a variety of strategic projects to achieve overall business goals. Currently she is guilty of staying up late watching reality television with a glass of wine, but does get up early to sneak in a workout before hubby leaves for work.
