Moms, What Do You Always Keep in Your Bag?

Today I’d love to ask a nosy question: if you’re a parent (or spend a lot of time with kids), what random but necessary objects do you always carry? My friend Kayla swears by this magical stain remover, and I keep a pouch of sanitizing wipes in every tote. Below, 10 more moms share the items they forever have on hand…

“My child is part fruit bat, so I carry two or three satsuma mandarins in my purse — one is never enough. The ‘activity’ of her methodically peeling them also gives me a few minutes of silence, perfect for responding to emails.” — Sukhie Patel

“Last year, I started carrying a double dutch jump rope in case my kids and I stopped by the park. I love watching kids of all ages come running over to have a turn and teach each other new rhymes and games.” Melina Gac Levin

“I never leave the house without hypochlorous acid spray. As a mom of two boys, I’m constantly having to clean cuts, scrapes, bug bites, and muddy hands. It even soothes diaper rash and eczema — a true hero product!” — Janelle Taylor

“My eight-year-old and ten-year-old love The Week Junior, a weekly magazine full of stories and activities created in a very tween-teen appropriate way. Recently, they’ve had issues on everything having to do with Pi (for Pi Day), the Winter Olympics, and frogs. They’re lightweight enough to take in whatever tote I’m grabbing for the day and great when you find yourself in a line somewhere and the kids need to be occupied.” — Youngna Park

“Living in California means we’re constantly in and out of the sun. I used to dread carrying sunscreen because lotion is messy and ends up squirting inside my bag, but this one makes the process feel fast, easy, and mess-free.” — Christine Han

“During a recent international trip with my baby, I studied how other moms on the plane were dealing with formula on the flights, which led to my getting this little container. Each compartment holds five ounces of formula in each compartment, making mixing bottles so easy — and it’s only $6!” — Erika Veurink

“I keep have a small animal figurine in my tote or pocket. My two-year-old daughter loves playing with them, which comes in handy during our long subway rides.” — Ruth Chan

“I’m a painter, so I generally have blue painters tape, and my toddler loves taping things, pulling tape off things, and making tape balls. Blessedly, painters tape doesn’t leave a residue, so you can bring it to the restaurant/supermarket/DMV.” — Hopie Hill

“Now that my two kids are elementary-school aged, gone are the days when I need wipes and diapers in my backpack at all times. Instead, the non-negotiables I carry are water bottles, plus a random assortment of acorns, dead flower bouquets, and sea glass.” — Jo

“This one may embarrass my teenager, but I always have an extra deodorant in my bag for him (every mom of a high schooler just nodded).” — Abbey Nova

P.S. Joanna’s best $8 parenting purchase, baby products you’ll use for more than a month, and four beautiful motherhood poems.

(Top photo and bag by Konges Sløjd.)