Mom Life Car Kit

Until this year, I had no idea what it meant when someone said "soccer mom". I thought I had an idea. But I didn't.

For those that think they know, let me clarify just so that we're on the same page. It means Tuesday and Friday practices in the spring with a game on Saturday. That's a little less than half of our weeks already filled with activities! Add in previous extracurriculars like gymnastics and ice skating, we're talking insanity. I can't even imagine our schedules when this guy starts doing stuff!

Not only that, as a working mom with an 8-to-5, life can get quite hectic. With all of this fun and craziness of being on the go, I've found that its always a good thing to be prepared and stocked up!

Today, I'm sharing with you how I keep organized on a weekday (especially Mondays) as well as preparing for "mom brain." Mom brain is real folks. Sometimes, you literally forget stuff that you shouldn't forget. I'm not even going to tell you an example (because I can't remember).

"Hey mom," as my 4 year old daughter stands before me one week day morning. "I found your keys and your phone because I know you probably would be trying to find it this morning. I want to make sure we're not late."

Wow. Cute isn't she?

To combat mom brain, having a filing system AND a "mom life" car preparedness kit in the back of your vehicle makes things easy! It is great having things in one place so that you know where to go find them.

Here's what I use to store my mom life car kit stash:
1 cute wicker basket
2 filing racks

Here's what I fill it up mom life car kit stash:

Hanging files for kids art work
Paper Towels
Grocery Bags
Hair Ties (hello soccer and dance!)
Sunscreen
Baby Wipes
Hand sanitizer
Empty cups
$5 in cash
Trash Bags
Ziploc Bags
Phone Charger
notebooks
pens
new Extra® 35-stick pack

Let me explain the hanging files. After work, when I pick up all three of my children, I typically have a pile of artwork and school work to go through.

Using this file system, at the time of pickup, I can sort through all of the artwork and organize them by kid for future scrapbooking, archiving, etc.

It makes my life easier and more organized to NOT have another "to do" pile on top of my kitchen counter when I get home!

I keep a copy of this printable to make sure that I refill and restock every so often. You can download my printable here: Mom Life Car Kit Stash.

My second tip is the "Monday Morning Mom Bag" routine. As a working mom, Monday morning is typically the day where I basically drag the entire house to my car. Things I need to prepare for are:

• Kids Bags - crib sheets, blankets, dolls, diapers, formula, check
• Work Bag - laptop, work badge, pens, notebooks
• Pump Bag - breast pump, accessories
• Lunch Bag - food, snacks
• Work Out Bag - gym clothes
• Kids Extracurricular Bag - gymnastics, dance and soccer

Seriously. Its ridiculous. Who can remember all of this without a list? Since I can't, I created a DIY dry erase list that sits in the front of my door way. You can create one too using the same printable (Mom Life Car Kit Stash).

To laminate the printable, it's so ridiculously easy - what mom of multiple kids has time for complicated DIYs?!  All you need is a self-laminating sheet and the printable above.

Next, stick the printable facing the non-tacky side.

Slide it smoothly down and you've got yourself a dry erase list that you can add to every week. You know those awesome teachers are going to ask for something (kleenexes, toilet paper rolls for science projects, field trip money). Just be prepared!

 

Everyone has a thing that they are always prepared for. What are you prepared for? Comment below!