Diaper bags vs Back packs:
I actually gave up my diaper bag really early in my son's life. I actually found it inconvenient. I switched to a back pack early on.. More room, you can drop you wallet or cell phone in an easy find pocket. When they get a little older. I switched to a kids back pack and let them carry their own stuff. Get whatever cute little pack they love. They will insist on carrying it themselves. It was great!
Formula:
Did you know that most formulas are alike? There were a few off brand my doctor said didn't have enough nutrient for the babies and to stay away from them. But in most cases, the formula's are created equal. It's really the fillers that make the difference. My son wouldn't drink Isomil brand, but would similac and our savior the Kirkland brand at Costco (for which I don't think we would have survived the formula stage otherwise. Formula's so expensive and it was cheaper.). I did take the Kirkland brand in for my doctor to check out. He said it was the same as the other. Now like I said it's the fillers that babies have a issue with. Sometimes, no matter how crazy people tell you you are, if your kid doesn't like one and will drink the other, that's probably why. Switch! As long as you have your piece of mind and the kids eating, screw the world.
Back-up Formula
I found that they have these 8 ounce pre-made bottle in Walmart. I'd buy a 6 pack and keep a couple in his bag. There will be those moment when the waters not available as fast as you'd like/need. Sometimes it's that your other half didn't bother to tell you he emptied the formula and didn't fill it.. Obviously this happened to me a lot. But I'd keep a couple of those in my car in a little emergency pack with a nipple to put on it.
Emergency packs:
I highly recommend you keep one in your car. And about every 3 months change out for new supplies and just use up what you had in there as quick as you can.
I keep the following;
1. Diapers - at least 4
2. Wipes - sealed packages (they can dry out otherwise)
3. Pre-made formula
4. Nipples for the formula
5. Bottled water. - this for 2 reasons, A. all you might need is water for you formula. B. if your wipes are dry, wet them.
6. Change of clothes suitable for the weather for the next 3 months.
7. Didn't matter what time of year it was, I always kept a coat/heavy jacket.
8. A reasonable size blanket. Sometime you might need one.
9. Snacks - Graham Crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars... Depends on the age. I kept those melt away baby snacks for a while too.
10. I always kept a sippy cup too. My baby could use it in a pinch if needed. Like say, dad forgot to put the kids bag in the car, or left it at grandmas...
Now as you kids get older you obviously adjust some. Formula become waters with little flavor packets for instance. I also have M.R.E.'s in my car now. You never know where you car can break down with you kids in it. a small jar of peanut butter and crackers might look real good stranded on a lonely highway somewhere. And trust me, it can, and does happen.
Travel
Hand held game systems and portable dvd players are awesome on trips. Make sure you have a converter for your car to charge them or plug them in. I actually took my laptop and it works for both if they're old enough. We actually found a stereo that plays DVD's for 130$ for my other half truck. You do have to bypass the driving safety wire so the kids can watch while you drive. Keep it in mind if you buy one. But don't forget the old favorites, crayons & coloring book, books, and a few car sized toys.
Clothes & Toys
Second hand stores can be you best friend the first few years of your child's life.. They grow out of their clothes and toys so fast. Son is about to turn 4 and he's only now slowing down a little. We sell back toys we bought there (discounted of course, but they have to make money too). We get in store credit because you get more that way, and I always shop there when I can. I don't know how people can make it in today's world, unless you're wealthy, buying all this stuff. Buying formula nearly broke us. That and diapers. Which was our incentive to train him on that potty early!
Diapers
And on that note, keep a few cloth diapers on hand. I don't care who you are, one night you will end up using your husband/boyfriends T-shirt if you don't. At least those diapers can be used again if needed.
Butt Cream
And no matter how great a product is, keep in mind all kids are different. I have a friend that swears by Triple Paste butt cream. The only thing that worked on her kid. Desitin was the only one that worked on mine. Try different ones. You're friends are great for giving ideas, but when all else fails, try them all.
Oh and here's a tip for all you moms and dads. Butt cream isn't just for kids butts. It works on heat rash, sunburns, chaffing, sweat rash and various other things...
Thinking of Butts, let's talk about potty training...
Again, not all kids work the same.
The whole aim for the cheerio's thing... Yeah, nothing for my boy. Didn't care. Peeing outside... Now that was his thing. He potty trained because Daddy taught him to pee out side. Then we had to teach modesty to him as well. But, he did potty train cause it was fun to aim and shoot at everything outside.
My niece wanted to potty train because she was going to get to wear those pretty girly panties.
Now I had almost had my boy trained at about a year and a half... but I got injured and had to leave it to dad. You can guess where that went. When he was little I just put him on the potty every couple of hours and soon he was asking to go... To bad I got injured... By the way, I find potty training when they are older a hell of a lot harder. They get distracted to easy when they get a mind of their own. And trust me, mine got a mind of his own WAY early.
Some kids can watch the Elmo Potty Time video and learn and want to be like Elmo. I'm sure there are a lot of things I haven't even tried. But my kids is potty trained now.
Incentives
I do have a real candy machine full of M&M's that you have to have a quarter to get any M&M's out of the machine. When he was getting on the ball with his potty training, every time he went on the potty we'd give him a quarter to get his precious M&M's. Nice incentive for him. You kid may like another candy, but that's his chocolate of choice. I have another Gumball machine I've filled with nuts that will take any money that he might find and get himself a snack and it's real neat cause it came out of a gumball machine. You can find these thing on KSL's online clarified adds or Craigs list etc etc. And you'd be surprised how many adult plunk money into those things too.
Punishment
I'm sorry to say, it's about time out, their favorite toy. computer (Yes, mines can use a computer well. Has been since he was about 1 1/2 years old), and the one I dread the most, the occasional spanking. Once again, no two kids are the same. I can put mine in the corner and it's no where near effective enough as it is to ground him off the computer. We ground him off the computer, he howls like we beat him. Corner for time out. he huff and puffs and kicks a little, but will do it again. Computer.... he learns not to.
And that's where I'll stop for a moment. When I think of more I will post. I might repeat a few knowing me, but hey, free tips....
So the Easter Bunny Prints were a HUGE Success.
