You know you’re a mum when your handbag contains more items for your brood than for you. But the thoughts of being caught off-guard without the must-haves would strike fear into any parents' heart. Our advice? Grab as big a bag as you can carry – so what if it overflows? You need to pack it with these ultimate essentials:
1. Baby wipes
Exactly what would you do without these little wonders? I dread to think of the stickiness. How else would you clean those grimy faces, dirty bums, sloppy spills, stains on your clothes... you name it, it happens. They are grubby, grimy and messy, those little offsprings so a packet of these at all times is about as indispensable as a washing machine.
2. Protein bars
These will keep those blood sugars at their tippy-top when you’re racing from school-run-to-car-to-train! Have a Nature Valley Protein bar in your handbag at all times to avoid those inevitable midday slumps.
3. Emergency snacks
Kids are hungry (or hangry) ALL. THE. TIME. And there is nothing worse than being caught on the hop with a grumpy child *chills* It's an absolute must to carry a little snack to keep them going while you are out-and-about: a packet of raisins, a piece of fruit, a couple of crackers and bingo, tantrum averted.
4. A distraction
Need to queue at the bank? Or do a bit of grocery shopping with kids in tow? This could get stressful – oh, so very stressful – so carry some kind of amusement: think a small colourful book and a few crayons, a toy with fiddly buttons or lights on it, or whatever age-appropriate thing that might buy you a few minutes of peace.
5. A drink
They get hungry, and with this, they get thirsty. Avoid having to buy them sugary drinks when you’re out and carry a small beaker of water with you at all times for hydration.
6. Spare clothes/accessories
Depending on the age of your little ones (and the space in your bottomless bag), think about spares: a babygro for the little leaky babies; a bib for the teethers; socks for crawlers; a cardigan for toddlers.
7. Hand sanitiser
Oh, boy, will you need this. Essential for using after a nappy change when you’re wrangling a baby or toddler back into a buggy. And don’t even get us started on toddlers using public toilets – don’t you just love when they grab the toilet seat with both hands? This one is a must, we say.
8. Chamomile tea bag
Calm on-the-go? Oh yes, please. This is one of those little lifesavers – all you need is some hot water, wherever you are and wait for it, aaah, time to de-stress (even if it’s just for a few moments).
9. Travel size make-up
A mini mascara, foundation or bronzer lurking in the bottom of your bag might just make you feel human again for those times when you feel just the opposite. Little life-savers.
10. Hand-cream
Dry hands. The curse of a mums’ life. All that hand-washing takes its toll on our paws.
When hunger strikes, strike back with Nature Valley Protein bars.
