Always be Prepared Car Bag

Keep a diaper bag in the car so you don’t forget it. I keep mine filled with an extra change of clothes, for everyone, as you never know who is going to end up falling into a puddle or spilling food on their pants, wet wipes, roll of small baggies for the dirty clothes , waterless hand sanitizer, Kleenex, small first-aid kit with plenty of band-aids (if one gets one they all want one), comfort items (pacifiers, extra snuggle buddy or the likes), extra non-perishable snacks, sunscreen, hats (sun in the summer, stocking in the winter*), portable potty with extra liners, and for the baby, burp cloth, toys, extra pacifiers or comfort items, extra formula, water, and bottle, wet wipes, diapers, and an extra change of clothes. If you are running low on a certain item, make a note of it (with a post-it note and pen from the glove box) and bring the item to the car next trip.

*In the winter I also leave blankets, extra pair of gloves, and sweaters in the car just in case the children get cold. Car seats are not considered safe if the child is buckled in wearing a large winter coat so in our car, coats go in the tote on the floor and blankets are used for warmth after we are all buckled in.