Remember those dreamy days before children (or BC, as we like to call it) when you could breeze out the door with a sassy little clutch in hand and ridiculously inappropriate footwear without a care in the world? Well those days are long gone. Long, long gone! Now it seems that the size and contents of my handbag are growing in direct proportion to my expanding collection of loafers (ugly, flat but imminently practical shoes). In an effort to streamline my bag and make life just that little bit easier, Stay At Home Mum have brainstormed all the handbag essentials required for a busy Mum.
Baby wipes
Can’t live without these. They are a holy grail product in my household. Useful for cleaning children, wiping tables, mopping spills, wiping down clothing, removing make up.. You name it, you can use a baby wipe to do it. Never leave the house without them.
Hand Sanitizer
This is especially useful as your little ones start getting older. I’ve been caught out with my toilet training toddler in bathrooms without soap so many times. Hand sanitiser to the rescue! You can buy them in cute travel sizes and some of the scented ones are lovely.
Mini first aid kit
I keep a zip lock bag in my hand bag with a collection of bandaids and antibacterial wipes in case my little one gets a particularly dirty scrape. I’ve had to bust open that little zip lock baggie more times than I can count for my own son and to help out other Mums at the park. On one particularly disgusting occasion I emptied the plastic bag and used it to catch vomit. Disgusting, but handy. Multipurpose!
Snacks
I keep a muesli bar and a little packet of almonds in my bag at all times. No one can save you from the wrath of a cranky, hungry child.
Paw Paw Ointment or Lip Balm
I use this as a lipbalm, moisturiser and balm for any ouchies. It’s a miracle product and safe for little ones to ingest, so I use it regularly to soothe chapped lips on my toddler.
Water bottle
Bottled water is just too darn expensive these days, not to mention the plastic bottles are wreaking havoc on our environment. Non biodegradable and all. Pack a water bottle to keep the kids happy and hydrated and sing the Captain Planet theme song to yourself every time you bust it out. Go you, you earth saver.
Lipstick
This was a tough one. Do I opt to pack the concealer or the lipstick? I suppose ultimately the choice is up to you, but no one will notice you have tired eyes if you’re rocking a fabulous smile. Go the lipstick and be a Yummy Mummy wherever you go, no matter how little sleep you had the night before.
Sanitary items
I guarantee you, as a busy Mum, you’re going to lose track of your cycle at some stage. There is nothing more uncomfortable than being out in public and needing a pad or tampon and being stuck without one. Save yourself the discomfort and keep a spare in your bag in case of emergencies.
A Pen
You never know when one of these will come in handy! Always useful to carry around with you.
Phone, keys, purse!
These are grouped together for fairly obvious reasons, but are certainly essential none the less.
Spare Change
$2 for that little Sesame Street ride outside the shopping centre, 20c for a raffle ticket, donation for the lovely old man feeding the homeless. It always pays to have a few dollars worth of change in the bottom of your bag!
Deodorant
Trust me when I tell you, running around with a baby is hot, heavy, demanding, SWEATY work. Pop a small travel sized version in your bag for such occasions.
Mints
Bad breath, replacement lolly – doesn’t matter – always good to have!
