As I sat through the OfficeMax Blogcast today with Peter Walsh, I realized a few things about organization--a key point, which is to have everything you need within reach AND organize everything first then buy containers to fit them. And while he was mainly talking about organizing paperwork, I think you can apply some the lessons learned to organizing your car.
Unless you live in a major city, you probably spend a good deal of time in your car everyday. Just like you keep your home and office organized and equipped and somewhat streamlined, you also need to be smart about what's in your car beyond just car seats and toys.
What You Should Store in Your Car:
1) Every mom needs a "just in case" bag of some kind. It doesn't have to be an actual bag, but the contents need to be there. What's in it will change as your kids grow so make sure from time-to-time that you update it with the correct size diapers and clothes. In your car, you need an extra outfit (for each kid and preferably even you) and extra diapers/underwear. This will save you from having to carry it around in your diaper bag since you just have to make it back to the car to change.
2) Wipes. Even now with my kids at 4 and 5 we have wipes in the glove compartment for all kinds of fun things. Sometimes I even use them as entertainment and let them "wash" my windows to keep them quiet.
3) A towel. I ALWAYS have a towel in my car. I have used this for so many things including wiping the slides at the playground after the rain, cleaning up spills, changing pad, etc.
4) A few toys/books/crayons. Even if you don't want your car looking like a toy store, keep a few items (and rotate them out) to throw back at the kids for entertainment purposes. I like to keep these up front so they appear new now and then. Plus, they are great to have on hand for restaurant trips.
5) Music. We're big fans of kid music (most of the time). Rotate out the music so it's fresh for everyone.
6) Snacks. Even some raisin packs, juice boxes, crackers, etc. are great to have on hand in case people are STARVING at some point. (Isn't that all the time.) My husband fusses at me for this one, but I don't care.
7) Bags. Plastic bags are great for nasty diapers, wet clothes, or using as a liner for a potty. Just keep a big ball of them in the bag. They're great to have on hand. AND you can always use them at the grocery store for....groceries.
8) Potty. When my kids were potty training, we kept an extra potty in the back of the car for playground trips--sometimes Although as soon as you think your kid is potty trained you'll wish you had left the potty in the car. (Tip: Just leave it in the car.)
9) Jacket or sweater. I can't tell you how many times we get somewhere at some odd time of the year and someone is cold. Just keep one in your car. I promise you will be glad you have it. Nothing sucks more than having to go home because people are cold. (You might keep an umbrella in there for you, but kids don't care about getting wet.)
10) Mini first aid kit + more. Keep a few band aids and Neosporin around for incidentals. Vaseline has been a good on to have on hand for many things (diaper rash, chapped lips, boo boos, etc.) And in the summer sunscreen of some kind and bug spray.
11) Dixie cups and plastic spoons/fork. I know this sounds strange, but this is another one that doesn't take much. Just keep a few in there for sharing with friends or dividing out a bag of goldfish so kids don't have to share. Snack traps are great, but in a pinch bathroom dixie cups will get the job done for older kids. And a giant bag of plastic spoons/forks has been a lifesaver so many times. I don't know why, but it has.
12) Hand sanitizer. Really, need I say more?
13) Reading material for mom. There have been many times that I'm stuck in carpool line, kids are napping or we're waiting for the library to open. Throw a few catalogs or magazines for your own reading enjoyment just in case people are quiet in the back seat and give you a minute to relax.
Now that you have everything you need, how do you store it? There are all kinds of fun "car organizers" for these things. But really, you just need a few boxes of some kind. Ones you can hose down tend to be better. Keep the wipes, hand sanitizer, magazines, music, toys, snacks all within your reach. I keep the cups/spoons in my glove compartment. The rest can be thrown in the trunk. Keep the things in up front one container so you can move it when you need to and the rest in some kind of trunk container. I never leave stuff between my kids because they just hurl books at each other. But if your kids are better at that game, then keep the toys back with them.
I'm sure I'm missing something so please share with us what you keep in your car to help keep you organized.
Straws! My oldest turns two today and I can't tell you how many times the pack of bendy straws in my glove box has saved the day.
Posted by: Mary | Aug 07, 2009 at 02:21 PM
umbrella stroller. i think i will carry one with me until my youngest turns ten. never know when you'll need to transport/pin someone down during an outing.
Posted by: Cara Fox | Aug 07, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Hats and sunscreen ... never want to forget those.
Posted by: Becky | Aug 10, 2009 at 02:43 AM
If you are willing to buy real estate, you would have to get the business loans. Moreover, my sister usually utilizes a secured loan, which occurs to be the most reliable.
Posted by: GarrettVicky | Apr 14, 2010 at 07:48 AM
Set your life time easier get the home loans and all you want.
Posted by: mortgage loans | Sep 04, 2011 at 10:49 AM