It’s known as “the bin” in my family. It’s a soft-sided, square storage bin that, for years, sat between my sons’ car seats. It served as a divider, which helped keep the peace, but it also was a catch-all for things I wanted them to have within arm’s reach. Crayons, paper, books, action figures, paper towels…
I was digging through my trunk last week and found “the bin,” which hasn’t held a position in the back seat for years, now that my sons are 9 and 11. At the bottom was an old McDonald’s toy, some art, and the real gut-wrencher: a pair of (clean) size three Star Wars underwear. It reminded me of how much I needed things at the ready as a mom of toddlers. Maybe you’ve got your car supplies all figured out, but in case you’re still making a list, here are 5 things I am so glad I kept in my car and 3 things I wish I would’ve had.
5 Things I Never Went Anywhere Without
1. Go-Bag
I put this at number one because out of all the things a mom should have in her car, I think the go-bag is the most important. It’s called a go-bag because it enables you to go where you want. Out running errands and get a call from a friend to meet her at the park? You can do it if you have a go-bag because you’re ready for anything. It stays in your car and should contain the essentials: a non-perishable snack, diapers or underwear, wipes, and an extra outfit. All you have to do is update it as your kiddo grows.
2. Accident Supplies
You know accidents happen, so stash a couple of diapers, underwear, wipes, and paper towels in a bag or bin. Keep it separate from your go-bag so your go-bag is always ready.
3. Hangry Prevention Tools
If you’ve ever been stuck in traffic with a hungry toddler in the back seat, you probably prayed for a bag of goldfish crackers to miraculously appear in your center console. Snacks and a water bottle are things a mom should have in her car but keep out of sight.
4. Extra Pacifier
I’m all for building up my kid’s immunity, but once a pacifier has been on the ground in a parking lot or at Walmart, it’s out of commission until further notice.
5. Books
One of the best pieces of advice I read as a new mom was, “Start out the way you mean to end up.” In other words, create habits you want to see continue in your children. Conversely, don’t create a habit you’re going to have to break when your child is older. If you want your child to become a reader and word lover, plant books in the back seat instead of screens.
If you want your child to become a reader and word lover, plant books in the back seat instead of screens. Click To Tweet3 Things I Wish I’d Had
1. A Picnic Blanket
I would’ve loved to have been more spontaneous with my kids. I always had the go-bag, but a picnic blanket in the trunk would’ve meant more relaxed bird-watching or bug-hunting opportunities in the park. Bonus item to keep in the car—an iMOM printable. The Nature Scavenger Hunt is the perfect companion to your picnic blanket.
2. Weather Prep
That picnic on a whim is fun until your 3-year-old comes home with a sunburn. Sunscreen isn’t just for planned beach and pool days! And when it’s cool, an extra jacket can prevent your spontaneous picnic idea from being squashed like the bugs your kiddo wants to hunt for.
3. Plastic Bags
Diaper blowouts and wet pants aren’t the only kinds of biological messes kids make. If you have a kiddo who gets car sick, you know how hard it is to get that smell out of your upholstery. Be ready for the surprise stomach bug and stuff plastic bags in your seat-back pocket. You’ll be glad you did.
What else would you put on a list of things a mom should have in her car?
