Downsizing the diaper bag-- finally!

I must be the only person in the world who found I needed MORE crap when they became toddlers: juice, snacks, diapers, wipes, toys, books. I also keep sunblock, teething tablets and a juice box and snack for the preschooler. If we are only going to be out for a while, I can put my wallet and a few other things in the diaper bag, as well. If it is going to be an all day thing, my purse has to tag along. With one child, I was able to go to a smaller bag and just keep a full bag in the car for the commute and occasional emergency. Am I just too much like a girl scout?

Once, when my first was a couple months old, husband and I went to the grocery store. I decided it would be ok to leave the bag at home. I ended up having to nurse her on a toilet in the nasty bathroom because I didn't have a bottle. I have never left the house without a fully stocked diaper bag again and that was over 4 years ago!

That bag is cute, though!

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Michelle,
Like you I think I carry more stuff now that we're 2 1/2 and potty training than when he was an infant. We have pull-ups, real underwear, swim diapers (just never know when the urge to swim may strike, this is Texas after all)changes of clothing, wipes, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, hand sanitizer, toys, books, cup, snacks, band-aids. My twelve year old sticks his ipod and nintendo-thingy in a side pocket if he's running around with us. I hate carrying it around, but EVERY_SINGLE_TIME I left it at home, I needed something from it. I found a wallet-like thing that holds my cell phone, credit cards, cash and has a loop for keys, so I just take it out of my purse and stick it in the diaper bag for our adventures.

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I found that I need more with my secod child then I did with my first child, of course I also worked with my first child and I don't know what my mom carried around. I found a great "purse" at Marshalls from Rapah Laruen ( i know I spelled it wrong) and I love it. I though my wallet, cell, and keys in the outside pocket and everything I need for the baby inside. I also don't like a heavy bag, so I put two diapers and a baggie of wipes in my bag and keep a supply of both in my van. I also keep items like extra clothes, blanket, unopened food, bottle water, and spare bottle in my van. I have the store and go seating so I throw my extras under the baby's seat and use it when I need to. Makes my husband's life easier too since he never remembers to grab anything with him...

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I used a diaper bag, but found it was really bulky - a backpack worked better for me. It has the pockets, more room, and I could put it on my back to leave two arms for my daughter. I've actually been approached in a baby section of a store for what I prefer as a bag, and I recommended a plain old backpack. Not as pretty, but way more practical.
Now that I need less stuff to carry around, I keep the backpack fully stocked in the car. I use a LL Bean bag (advertised for traveling) for everyday stuff. That bag has a side mesh pocket for a sippy cup, slots for lotion/bug spray, a front pocket for clippers & miscellaneous little stuff. Everything else (diapers, wipes, snacks) is in zipper baggies or little plastic containers. I also have extra baggies and grocery bags, just in case (and especially for dirty diapers). I restock it each evening for the next day.
I think my husband thinks I'm nuts for all of the stuff in it, but you never know what you'll need!!

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When my youngest was about 18 months old we got him a backpack to carry his own snacks, and toys in. We kept the toys small. It was big enough for the 3 diapers he might need, the travel pack of wipes, and a change of cloths. I would carry a bottle of water with me all the time, so he had to have a little bottle for his own water or juice.

He's 4 now, very nearly completely potty trained, and still carries his own stuff in a backpack. He gets to pick the toys or books he wants to take, but they often stay in the pack. It's nice that he carries his own stuff, and he feels like he's helping me.

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