Stay Organized Away From Home!

We went out for lunch today and happened to notice a family sitting across from us with a new baby. After my husband and I strolled down memory lane we noticed how organized she was and ready for anything that might occur in the restaurant. With this in mind, I thought I would give some a few ideas to make your life more efficient on the road. As a new mom, it's important for you to be organized so you can focus your attention on the never ending list of things to do. For some, this comes easier than it does for others. You may be used to making a list and getting things done, but when you have a little one, lots of unexpected “surprises” arise that make it difficult to even finish one thing on your list.
Here are some ideas to have ready in the car and your diaper bag. You will feel more organized if you are armed and ready for what ever life throws at you or baby spits up at you!
Diaper Bag: The Diaper Bag is great to haul things for you baby but you don’t necessarily need to bring it into every store or restaurant you visit. I used to just throw a diaper, wipes, extra passey and a toy into my purse so that I didn’t have drag to bags and the infant carrier. I kept the diaper bag in the car for when I need to pull out the heavy artillery. If there was a “blow out” I would rather go out to the car to take care of matters then drag everything into the bathroom, but that is just me.
· Diaper Wipes/Toddler Wipes – They should be in every room of your house. I use them to clean the carpet, counter tops, bathrooms and for the obvious dirty little hands and faces.
· Diapers & Diaper Rash Ointment – You never know when it will flare up again.
· Extra Outfit – Just incase clothes, you can never be too safe!
· Toys – A couple of toys that just stay in the diaper bag so they seem new to the baby.
Car: Your car is not only a means of getting to and from but is a house on wheels. You need to make sure you have everything you may need while on the road without over loading it with unnecessary things. You'll want to have an extra Ziploc bags for dirty diapers.
· Diaper Wipes – Did I mention I love wipes?!?
· First Aid Kit – Band-Aids, Neosporin, Hydrocortisone & Cortaid for bug bites
· Books – I keep books in the back seat pockets for the boys to read/look at while we are driving. I try to switch them out periodically and hit the library to have a new choices.
· Snacks – You never know when they might need some crackers to help hold them over until lunch or keep them busy while you finish running your errands.
· Formula – I kept a single serving dry formula packet along with a bottle of water and an extra baby bottle for an emergency.
· Clothes – I found having two boys you just never know what kind of trouble you can find when you are out and about! I always kept a change of clothes, jackets and swimsuits in the car. They were clothes I bought at garage sales, nothing fancy just something to throw on in case we ran into a splash pad or a muddy creek. I know this won’t surprise you but I kept an extra outfit for me too, you never know when some of that mud may get on you!
· Take Out Menus – Sometimes it is impossible to make dinner that night even with the best of intentions. Instead of driving to a fast food restaurant I have found that many restaurants with “To Go Doors” do not cost that much more and if you can combine it with a coupon it is the same price as fast food but healthier for your family, that is if you didn’t order the cheese fries.
At the end of the day, empty the trash from your diaper bag and car. Replenish any items that were used and above all don’t forget to have fun this summer!