The 'Mom Bag'

You can call it a purse. You can call it a tote. You may carry a diaper bag, and if you are lucky, just a wallet. But, if you are a mom, you have one. My friends have dubbed mine the “mom bag.”

It probably has more to do with few of them being parents yet, but I get constantly harassed by friends and family about the bags I carry. I just don’t think they get how much junk a mom has to haul around.

I’ll admit, though, I had my own awakening last October. It was my little sister’s wedding. I was her matron of honor. I had a big speech to deliver at the reception. And, like anything that is super important, I put a copy of the speech in my mom bag.

I’d practiced it many times, but I wanted to be sure I had the written speech, just in case. I didn’t want to forget any part of it.

I hauled my 20-plus pound bag around the whole day, as I always do. It had all I could need. Clear nail polish was packed in case we got a run in our tights. We had nail clippers for hangnails, seam tape for lose hems, Tylenol for a headache. I packed it all.

After a beautiful outdoor ceremony, we headed to the hotel, and it was my big moment to deliver the toast. I got ready, dug around in my bag, and nothing. I couldn’t find my speech.

I panicked. My mind was blank, and my oversized purse suddenly seemed very empty.

I did what seemed logical at the moment and dumped its entire contents out on the table. Makeup, tampons, camera chargers, gum, pens, tissues … it all went flying. Still, no speech was inside.

I had to go without it. I made my way up to the microphone and began. My husband, unbeknownst to me, had meanwhile sprinted to the hotel computer lounge and printed it from my email account. He rushed up, just a few stuttering moments into my toast, and rescued me with the print out.

But, my lesson was learned. I needed a more organized bag.

No matter how I’ve decided to downsize, I can’t seem to manage with just a wallet. I’m a prepared mom. I feel the need to have emergency supplies with me at all times. What if my daughter has an allergic reaction to a new food? I have to have a snap-open Benadryl in my purse, of course. What if I break a nail right before a big meeting? I should have a file in tow so I can even it out.

I know. I can’t live for the “What ifs?” of life. I have to be prepared for the moment.

I’ve found a few small tips to lighten my load, literally.

Instead of packing bandages and Tylenol in my bag, we created a first aid kit for each vehicle. I don’t need to haul it all over the mall. If we have a quick need, we can head for the car.

I’ve tried not to let things build. Once a week, I dump my purse out on the kitchen table and sift out what is no longer necessary. Does that Lego man really have to live in my bag for months? No, he has to go.

Instead of bringing along my “stay happy” packs for my kids (i.e. crayons, games, small toys and activity sheets for those restaurant table, waiting in the doctor's office or stuck in Philadelphia traffic entertainment needs), I have started either including those kits in the car or making the kids responsible for toting their own. If they want to bring a Nintendo DS to the store, they need to pack it up.

I won’t lie. I still carry a pretty big bag. I now have an iPad, wallet, two phones and gum that are required packing. Otherwise, I try to keep it scaled back.

So, fess up. What’s in your Mom Bag?