Or should I say, what's in THE BAG I share with my kids!!!
Let's face facts here. I was never a minimalist. Not for lack of trying. (Believe me I have tried!) I am one of those people who takes everything with me "just in case". Travelling overseas I would send 2 suitcases of luggage before I even got on a plane myself (with another suitcase and carry on). I would pick up my luggage at my destination and away I'd go. Much cheaper then paying for it to go with you. It wasn't all clothes and stuff for myself. It included presents for family and friends and also I would leave room for things that I would buy or be given to take back with me. Usually sending it back again by itself on a ship or plane.
Nowadays they only allow you about 25kgs in check in luggage (depending on which airline) when travelling to other countries. (Economy class) . Seriously my makeup bag weighs that much!!
Anyway let's get back to my everyday bag. Over the years I have had all sorts of bags. Bordering a long Medium to Large for work and medium to small for going out. Usually going out with friends on the weekend in the evening I would only need my keys, money, cards, a face powder for touch ups, a lipstick, mints and my phone. Sometimes it would include band aides, needle and thread, safety pins, a nail file and some water.
So you can imagine what I would take in my everyday bag. Going to work I would have my wallet, keys, phone, small can of hairspray, makeup bag, small first aid kit, mints, work diary and everything else I could squash in there. I went through so many bags over the years. Some couldn't withstand all the crap I had in there and others just were not practical. I also would get bored and buy a new one now and then.
My bag now is quite large. When I first had my son I bought a beautiful fashionable and quite expensive baby bag. I wanted it to be stylish, durable and something that was practical. Well that didn't work. The bag was nice but it wasn't big enough and it wasn't durable enough. I ended up carrying two bags. Since then I have gone through about 3 bags for him and 2 for my daughter. The one I have now I'm happy with. It's actually a travel bag but it fits everything we all need.
This is what I now have in here. I go through phases so this isn't always the contents of my bag but for now this is it:
These are the things that are always there. Stuff I cannot live without. From time to time it varies, including the occasional toy, receipts, books etc.
Nappies and Wipes. I do not leave home without these!! Wipes are also good for cleaning up any little accidental spillages or sticky fingers. I look forward to the day my kids can do without these completely. Although I think I will be carrying wipes with me everywhere...They come in handy for an array of disasters!!
My make up bag. I have all sorts of things in here from lipsticks, lipliners, powder, small eyeshadow kit and brushes. This also varies from time to time. But no matter what large bag I'm carrying I always have a little makeup bag. O.k maybe not so little. However, this for me is a must. Especially now when my kids are constantly touching my face and I'm running around all day!! I may do a separate blog post as to what I have in here. It will take up too much room if I do it now!
Water Bottles. I have one for myself, for my son and my daughter has a smaller one which is not pictured here. We do not leave the house without water ever. I don't like my kids drinking soft drink. I let them have an occasional apple juice but I prefer them to drink water. They love it so I have no problems there.
Snacks. Sometimes when I'm on the run, or shopping and I don't have time to stop, I give my kids some healthy snacks. Fruit bars are their favourites. Great and handy when they are sitting in the shopping trolley or pram.
Sunglasses, Pen and Bibs. I cannot drive without my sunglasses. Even in Winter when it's cloudy and glary. I always have a pen with me to write in my notebook, and the bib is for my daughter because when she eats it goes all over her clothes!
Bottles, keys and purse. Just like the snacks I don't travel without my daughters bottles. She enjoys having milk on the road and if I can't get to milk I have her favourite formula mixture in a little pot as you can see in the picture. My keys and purse are self explanatory.
My phone. Well for obvious reason's I do not leave home without my phone. Also comes in handy when my son becomes antsy so I let him play a few games. This keeps him quiet when I'm in line or I we have to wait at banks etc.
My trusty notebook. I write my ideas, things I need to do, my lists, addresses and everything else I need in one spot. Also under there I have a large face washer. It comes in handy when I need to change my daughter's nappy. I previously used disposable nappy change sheets and sometimes I use handtowels if I have nothing else but the face washer has all sorts of uses!! Plus I'm not wasting copious amounts of paper. Just above my notebook you can maybe see a small shirt. I always carry spare clothes for my daughter and occasionally for my son. You never know when there may be a disaster of some kind and you need a change of clothes. Actually if I could, I'd bring myself a change of clothes. I somehow never come home quite how I left!
Bottle holder: This particular bag I have does not hold bottles on the side like most baby bags so I put them in here. It's insulated so keeps bottles warm or cold. Fits two bottles and can fit a small container of food. Very Handy!
So there you go! I'm sure some of you mother's can relate to me. If you can get away with carrying less stuff please let me know how you do it! Leaving the house takes a good 15 minutes because I have to check if I have everything with me. Also, leaving any destination to come home is a good 15 minute wait to make sure I've put everything back in the bag to come home!
I look forward to the day I can have a nice bag for myself again, with no bottles or nappies flying out of it.
I leave you with this today:
“There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one” - Jill Churchill
Until next time SEEYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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