Mommy Moments – Cars and Kids

Today’s topic is cars and kids so I thought I would give a few tips that have come in handy for us over the years.

When the boys were still in diapers, I always had a small backpack stocked with essentials for each child. The contents included 2 diapers for each child, a travel size container of baby wipes, a change of clothes for each child and a handful of plastic grocery bags to hold soiled clothing items. I also had a spare bottle or sippy cup for each child and a few things to entertain them. Oh, and a spare pacifier for Drama King in the event we ever lost one of his while out. When the boys started walking, I added a first aid kit and copies of their insurance cards. This backpack stayed in the car and was in addition to the diaper bag I carried. The backpack was for emergencies only and primarily used for those spontaneous outings we took as a family.

Once the boys were potty-trained, I separated the combined ‘baby’ backpack into two big boy backpacks. Their big boy backpacks have a change of clothing, flushable moist wipes, a drink container, a book or two, a small first aid kit and copies of their insurance card. They have a 3 ring binder with printed activities, blank paper, lined paper, pens, pencils, washable markers and dry erase washable markers. Along with those essentials is a mini bag (Spider-Man for one and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for the other) that contains a tic-tac-toe travel game, a small pad of paper, a set of mini colored pens and an emergency/medical ID card. The mini bags are perfect size for taking into a restaurant or putting into my purse for quick shopping trips. The backpacks hangs by the garage door and when it’s time to leave I give them a few minutes to put in a couple traveling toys.

The backpacks have provided comfort that we’ll always have what we need in the event of an emergency plus keeps the boys entertained whenever we’re away from home. They have definitely come in handy many times and I’d never be without them for young kids.