Rebecca Staulman is a busy mother of two girls and wanted to share with you her favorite top 5 daily essentials that she couldn’t live without as a mom.
As a mom, you’re a chef, chauffeur, referee, tutor, supervisor, and entertainer. You have a million things on your plate, dozens of items on your to-do list, and still expect to keep up with daily errands, chores and responsibilities so numerous that it makes your head spin. Most days, it’s hard enough just to ensure that you are washed, dressed, and out the door on time. To help your day run a bit smoother, make sure to keep your bases covered by always having these essential items on hand.
Tote Bag
Tote bags are necessary for mothers with younger and older children. The idea that a small Coach bag could once get the job done for you is laughable. Consider all of the possible gear you will need to carry throughout the day, like personal items such as Chapstick, hand sanitizer, keys, phone, and extra hair ties. A tote bag will give you the space you need to carry extra items as well, like a book or magazines if dance class runs late, your workbooks or even an iPad. If you have a baby to care for, you can fit larger items like diapers, bottles, and nursing scarves in the same bag. Vera Bradley offer totes in a host of different colors and prints, so you can choose one that expresses your personality and adds to your ensemble. Consider finding a bag with lots of pockets, so you can keep everything well-organized and in its place.
Watch
When time’s a-ticking and you’ve got somewhere to be, a watch will keep you on schedule for getting to work, meetings, giving your kids rides and picking them up. As a busy mom, it’s all too easy to lose track of time, or else get distracted when checking it on your phone. Brands like Invicta, available through ShopHQ, offer varying sizes and decorative straps, like alligator, ceramic and rubber, so you can find a watch you are truly comfortable with wearing day in and day out. Watches are also a great opportunity to add a bit of effortless style to your outfit. Fashion may have fallen behind on your list of priorities, but watches will double as fashion accessories and functional daily staples.
Prescription or Bifocal Sunglasses
Regular sunglasses may be fine and dandy for laying poolside but, for someone who quickly transitions from one outdoor task to the next, having to fumble between your prescription frames and shades will add unnecessary hassle. Do yourself a favor and buy quality sunglasses that meet your specific sight needs. There’s nothing worse than driving directly into the sun’s glare without a pair of shades because your everyday set isn’t properly tinted. As an added benefit, a good set of sunglasses will double, again, as a wardrobe enhancer, and will effectively hide your tired eyes during long days. Splurge a bit on a sturdy pair, like those sold through Frames Direct, which will last a while longer.
Smart Phone
Even those most opposed to the smart phone fad could benefit greatly from its use, no matter your level of technological literacy. When utilized efficiently, a smart phone can be invaluable in keeping you organized. A calendar app that syncs to your email and desktop at home negates the need for a bulky planner and is great for making plans when on the go. You can even set reminders to go off ten minutes to an hour before your appointment to keep you on track on the busiest of days. You can check e-mail and get work done – even update your blog – without the use of a laptop, which boosts your productivity and gives you time to get more done when at home. One of the best advantages of having a smart phone on you is that you will have a camera with you at all times. You’ll have the opportunity to document your child at a moment’s notice, whether they’re caught making a silly face or scoring a goal during a big game.
Hand Sanitizer
Chances are both you and your kids are going to need hand sanitizer at multiple points during the day. From all of the places you’ve been, people you’ve seen, and items that have been touched, it’s important to sanitize to keep outside germs from spreading through your car and home. As a bottle of hand sanitizer could save you or your children from the hassle of getting sick or catching a cold, hand sanitizers, like Purell, are great preventives to keep on you at all times.
Double check your bag before you leave the house or when you come home each day and empty it of unwanted items – like coupons and receipts, water bottles or toys – to lessen the bulk and weight of your bag. Be sure to keep these items in your tote at all times, or else store them somewhere each night where they’ll be easy to grab before heading out, so that you’re always covered with these essentials to get you through the day.
By Rebecca Staulman – Rebecca is a proud mother of two girls and one big German Shepherd puppy. She is a freelance writer and bookworm who loves to travel and keep on the move. She most recently settled with her family in Atlanta, Georgia, where she works part-time at a boutique – and full-time as a mother and wife!
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What what is your favorite accessory or essential item that you have to carry around with you everyday since you became a mom?
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