Simplifying the On-the-Go Mom in 7 Steps | Family Economics

By Trisha

As the mother of five children, I’m always on the hunt for tips to help simplify our daily routines. Here are some tips that I’ve incorporated into our lives that have been helpful:

Step 1: Designate Home for Daily Travelers. Choose one location in your home for your daily traveling items (purse, kids’ backpacks, keys, cell phone and on-the-go bag) to be placed so you can quickly and easily find them on your way out the door and eliminate clutter.

Step 2: Use One Calendar. I learned long ago that ONE calendar is a mommy must-have. With five kids and a busy husband our world can quickly get out of control if I do not post everything on one calendar to easily coordinate our schedules. When my kids hand me schedules and invites from their teachers, schools, extracurricular activities and whatever else they bring home with dates that I need to know, I enter it all into one master calendar. Doing this helps us keep track of our daily schedules as well as the ability to plan family time around the crazy kid schedules.

Step 3: Guard your Family Schedule. Kids need downtime, unstructured time to develop imagination and creativity. Often we pack our schedules so full of "good" stuff that we leave out important home time. Protecting your family’s schedule is a strategic move which leads to less stress and bonded families.

Step 4: Always Prepare Ahead. Each Sunday night we have a family meeting which allows us to go over the upcoming week and prepare for upcoming events, activities and parties. For example, we know if a gift needs to be bought for an upcoming party or if snacks need to be prepared for a little league game, we note the need for a trip to the grocery store and the mall. We also prepare each night for the next day by packing lunches and backpacks, putting outfits out for the next day and placing any items we will need for after school activities by the door. Being prepared brings peace to crazy busy homes.

Step 5: Avoid the Snack Attack. Kids always seem to get hungry, so be ready and pack snacks in Ziploc® Brand Bags. Crackers, cheese, fruit, carrot sticks, PB&J sandwiches, graham crackers, peanuts, and raisins all make good on-the-go snacks. An insulated lunch container with reusable ice packs will help keep things fresh. Also, always bring plenty of water since kids are always thirsty.

Step 6: Kid Emergency Kits. Pack your kid emergency kit in the car. Use either a tote bag that zips or snaps closed, or a plastic bin with lid. Fill the kit with baby wipes or wet ones, medical supplies, reading material, activities (toys), a towel, plastic bags and extra clothes – anything you can think of that might come in handy when you are on the go and a kid emergency arises.

Step 7: On-the-Go Bags. Do you find yourself sitting at doctor appointments, dance lessons, swim lessons or other waiting situations with nothing to do but watch the clock tick away and your to-do list grow? Use a tote/book bag to take a long project, books to read, bills to pay, notes to write or other items on your to do list that you can accomplish while waiting. Consider having one packed without time-sensitive items, books that are single chapter stories, old magazines that you've been meaning to read, recipe books to flip through, etc.

Have different bags for different outings:   
•  The Gym Bag – Ear phones/music playing device/magazines/towel    
•  The Mom Bag – Calendar, book to read, to do’s    
•  The Kid Bag – Crayons, books, freebie toys, stickers   
•  Sport Bag – Cleats, shin guards, granola bar, fresh shirt, water bottle   
•  Diaper Bag – Wipes, changing pad, bottle, pacifier

How do you prepare to be an on-the-go mom?