When I first pictured my life as a mom, I never pictured myself simultaneously turning into a chauffeur as well. But here I am, driving around three small humans to various sports, activities, play dates, adventures, etc.
With so much time spent in our car, I’ve compiled a list of 10 vehicle must-haves for any mom to be prepared in most situations.
(Moms of boys, there’s a bonus item at the very end.)
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1. Box/Bin/Giant Bag
This is where all the items will be stored neatly in your trunk. I use an old container that lost its lid, as it fits perfectly in the trunk of my car. You can easily find a snazzy one from places like The Container Store or IKEA.
2. Plastic Bags
I repurposed an empty disinfectant wipes tube with duct tape, and added plastic bags inside (from all the Target runs). These are great for trying to keep your car tidy, tossing out a dirty diaper, or the occasional, “Mommy, I think I’m going to throw up!” moment.
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3. Disinfecting Wipes
It isn’t until you have several small children in your car at one time that you realize just how nasty things can get. These are often used to wipe up car seat cup holders (grossest ever), or to quickly clean up all the ketchup she wanted to open for a single nugget that is now spilled on her lap and the floor.
4. A Towel
For those moments when wipes just aren’t enough. Like when an entire bottle of water spills, or when it’s raining and mommy forgot to pack umbrellas.
5. First Aid Kit
You just never know. Fill it with a few bandages, gauze pads, a small flashlight, safety pins, and hand sanitizer. Shout out to my nine year old for making our vehicle first aid kit! He used a sandwich container, and stocked it with all the necessities.
6. One Complete Outfit for Each Child
Accidents happen! In my car, everyone has a complete change of clothes for those times when mud is EVERYWHERE and we do not have time to go back home.
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7. Snacks
It’s inevitable that someone or all will get hungry hungry in the car. Enter snacks. Having carby options, such as crackers, granola bars, and wafers are lifesavers when calming down the HANGRY tantrum. To keep them at optimum freshness, I love using these food storage containers from IKEA.
8. Small Toys
When we’re stuck in traffic, it’s great to pull out a coloring book, Rubik’s cube, or book to pass the time. Technology in the car has become nearly obsolete (with the exception of road trips), so having these items has really made it better on mommy’s sanity.
My boys love the park, so it goes without saying that there is always a football, soccer ball or basketball in my bin, too.
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9. Phone Charger
Say you’re stranded on the side of the freeway with a blown out tire and all three children ready to be home. This is no time for your phone to be on two-percent battery life. NOT the time!
10. Scissors and Tape
This one seems a little odd, but trust me. Keep scissors and tape in your glove compartment. They work wonders for that project your kindergarten teacher kept emailing you about — the one where you had to make a collage of family pictures, and you kept meaning to do it, but here you are, morning of, printing them at CVS and taping them to a loose leaf sheet of paper.
Just trust me on the scissors and tape.
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Bonus Item for Moms of Boys :: Empty Water Bottles
Because I have three of them, two of which are way past the diaper stage, we always make sure to have empty water bottles readily available.
Although it may seem that mother nature is their toilet, we’ve assured them this is not always the case. But sometimes you just gotta go!
Use number three from above to wash your hands, please.
I hope this list has been a little helpful. I’d love to know the things you keep in your vehicle that I can add to my bin. Comment below and let us know.
