The Prepared Purse – A Mom Survival Kit

Growing up my mom’s purse was like a small version of Mary Poppins carpet bag. Everything was in there. If you fell, she had a first aid kit. If you had a stray thread that needed to be cut, she had scissors. All needs and small emergencies could be resolved in the confines of her purse. I loved this about my mom! Now that I’m the mom, I value my purse for this same reason and strive to emulate her example. I don’t think I’m quite there yet, but I have established a reputation among friends that I am most likely to have “it” in my purse. I consider this a compliment. So its time to upgrade you’re purses ladies!

 

Picking the Perfect Prepared Purse

Unlike most women, my mother included, I don’t pick my purse based on looks and ensemble compatibility. But there is no reason why you can have both.

• If you’re a mom, just be sure that you don’t go too big. It just invites extras and makes things hard to find. Next thing you know you’re a coat rack, and your purse weighs three times as much as when you left the house.
• Pockets are a girl’s best friend. They keep things organized, have them inside and outside. Zippers and closures will also help keep kids from snooping and prevent things from falling out.
  • Consider one of those amazing inserts for keeping your purse organized and makes it easy to switch purses on a whim. Try Lady Elegance Purse Organizer or The Container Store Purse Organizer or Pouchee
• Comfortable straps – as a mom your hands are always full, your purse should not be one of those things. Keep you’re hands free and prevent backache issues by getting a  good ergonomic strap that you can handle wearing for along time.

Stocking Up

Now that you have the perfect purse (or purses), it’s time to fill it. My idea of a prepared purse is somewhat different from this survey taken by 94.5 Cool FM. Interestingly, 82 percent of those surveyed believe that the contents of a woman’s purse says a lot about her personality and 42 percent say that going through a woman’s purse is as intrusive as reading her e-mails or text messages.  I’ll bet yours says a lot about you too.

So how do you prepare for those small emergencies that befall mothers and children?

• Keys – I keep mine on a carabineer so I can clip them to my purse straps. This prevents me from losing my keys (more frequently anyhow).
• Pens – One is never enough, keep a pocket full. Pens disappear all the time, and with kids they are in high demand. I keep mine in a small cloth zipped bag with pens, glue stick and small scissors. Easy to find and pull out when needed.
• Feminine supplies in all its varieties, even when you’re pregnant you never know when you’ll have a friend in need.
• Snacks – something small, but enough to help with low blood sugar, and that the whole family likes. Not only does this prevent fast food stops and the shakes, but its can help reduce child and mommy tantrums. Granola bars are my favorite.
• Notebook or Journal – for copying info, reminders, weird things your kids say. Yes you can use your phone, but there’s something about writing it down that helps cement it. Besides, this could double for child entertainment in a pinch.
• Empty pocket or small container – this is for storing small items and found or broken items so they don’t get lost.
• Small first aid kit – basic band-aids and alcohol swabs, maybe a small tube of antiseptic. Be sure you have a variety of band aids, in sizes and quality so you can take care of perceived boo-boos as well as real ones.
• Allergy medication or ointment – this really depends on your family and the time of year. If it seems likely that someone will get a bug bite having Benadryl or cortisone cream can prevent a tantrum. Not to mention, major allergies which you should always be ready for.
• Phone – keep this in an accessible pocket by itself – nothing is more annoying then digging through your purse only to catch your phone just as they hang up. At the very least, have a place it belongs and always put it back there.
• Cash and change – you just never know when you’ll need a few bucks or quarters.
• Wallet – obviously
• Entertainment – Something for the kids is great, but I really focus on myself. Every once in a while you have 5-10 of waiting for someone or something, make the most of it by keeping a little something in there for your own entertainment. I’ve read numerous books, knitted scarves, and finished cross stitch projects all in those little 5-10 minute increments. And it’s very relaxing!
• Water bottle – even something small can be very helpful. Just be sure it has a good sturdy lid.
• Pocket knife – not the usual mom item, but a Swiss Army Knife is the best tool you could possibly keep in your purse. A basic option should include a knife, toothpick, tweezers, scissors, and nail file. Once you get one you’ll never regret it.
• Hand sanitizer – kids always forget to wash their hands and there will always be bathrooms that are out of soap. Learn to make you own anti-bacterial wipes.
• Chapstick and lotion – dry skin happens all the time
• A small bottle of bug spray and sunscreen – mainly in summer, but its always smart.
• Bribery Item – this is to help calm children and buy you enough time to get out of there.
• Nail clippers – for broken nails and snags or when your kids finally stop moving long enough and you realize how long their claws are.
• Wipes – they are useful for everything.
• Travel size package of tissues
• Optional – teething tablets, or calm child tablets – these are invaluable holistic tablets that have saved my sanity and errand runs on many occasions. I recommend Hy-land brand.

Your bag is now ready for any urban outing or small forest hike. Congrats You are now the Bear Grylls of moms! Keep your supplies stocked and clean out the trash regularly and you’ll have a bag and reputation worthy of the title SUPER MOM!

PS – What was in Mary Poppins carpet bag? Do you remember what she took out of it? Take the quiz at our Facebook Page 

Shared with Growing Home