Parenting Tips and Parenting Advice

If you are anything like me – then you spend 75 percent of your life in your car or minivan – driving the kids around. If you don’t then I bet your children are under the age of ten – and soon you will.

As much as I hate being the chauffeur – I have resigned myself to this fact of life and am trying to make the best of it.

Time is at a premium – and if I am not prepared, the time spent going from activity to activity can easily turn into down time. There is way to much that I have to accomplish to let this happen.

So, I usually pack a tote bag each night with mom essentials – that will help me accomplish my daily goals during all the wait time between activities.

Here are ten things that I can’t do without:

1. Cell phone – ABSOLUTELY necessary. In my case I use the iPhone – which is my number 2, 3, and 4 combined (sometimes even number 5). If I forget this – I am out of luck.
2. Calendar – using a few stolen moments to review my calendar is priceless. Especially since my personal memory (meaning my brain) is too full to handle all the details.
3. Contacts or Address Book – having phone numbers handy – to schedule everything from doctor’s appointments to hair appointments to playdates can help to check off a bunch of things on that to do list that is probably longer than Santa’s.
4. Oh yeah – that To Do list – keep it with you at all times. And when you are tempted to squeeze in just one game of Bejeweled – tackle the list first.
5. The book you are currently reading – assuming that you have put that to do list aside (or maybe finishing the book is on the to do list). If you have an iPhone or Kindle or Nook or whatever – maybe the book is right there at your fingertips. But whatever mode of choice – remember to throw it into that tote bag!
6. Current magazines or newspapers – when you don’t have much time – absorbing a quick article or two is the way to go.
7. Pens, pencils and paper. Cram in a quick brainstorming session by  jotting down a few ideas, notes, or more to do’s.
8. Checkbook and a stack of unpaid bills – use the wait time to catch up on bookkeeping.
9. Something to occupy siblings while they wait with you. If they are complaining of boredom – you will get nothing done.
10. A bottle of water and some health snacks. Taking care of yourself is important too.

What do you carry around town while shuttling kids from one activity to another?

{ 1 comment }