I recently wrote about why I don’t carry a handbag. This week I thought it would be fun to write about what’s in my backpack, and see how my contents compare to what’s in your purse!
I have many items that are permanently homed in my backpack:
My wallet, of course! With different sections for ‘my’ money and the ‘grocery’ money (not that you’ll find any in either!).
My mini first aid kit (complete with funky band-aids). Just in case one of my children has a tumble while we’re out.
I always carry a camera with me. It’s become a habit since I moved overseas, you never know when you’ll wish you had it (especially with kids).
Along with the camera, is an extra battery and memory card.
Tissues for little runny noses in the cold air.
A small packet of baby wipes. These are great if we eat our snack down by the sea or out and about.
A small bottle of hand sanitizer. It’s not only for hands – I’ve cleaned tables before eating at them in fast-food restaurants, and I’ve even used it to remove permanent marker from a chair once upon a time when one of my children wasn’t so well behaved in public.
Hand lotion. Sometimes the cold and the wind can be tough on hands, so I keep a tube handy.
Pens (in various groovy colours) and post-it notes. Just for jotting things down when needed.
Fabric grocery bags. We sue these to carry home extra groceries if we find a great bargain in town. Or to carry extra library books-you can never borrow too many books!
I carry my inhaler, antihistamines, and paracetamol for emergencies. I know exactly where these items are, but they aren’t seen or easily located by the children for safety purposes.
Chapstick to keep the effects of the wind at bay.
A Backpack cover to use when it’s raining (which is often).
A carabiner with a thermometer attached. Sometimes I don’t think the weatherman is correct in his reports, so this way we can find out for ourselves.
A magnifying glass so the children can get down and look at anything that captures their interest such as flowers or insects.
Little bags to use for rubbish. These can hold the remnants of a lunch or snack, or the tissues and wrappers from bandages.
And what do I add to that list when we do go out?
It might depend on the day and what we have planned, but the most common extras are:
Library books to return, or ones we’re taking home.
Snacks
Notebooks – to jot down my ideas, write letters, and make lists.
A pencil case loaded with multi-coloured pens, highlighters, correction tape, ruler, etc……
Pencil crayons for the kids (or me) to use.
Worksheets or workbooks for the children. Learning doesn’t just happen at home, here!
Water.
Milk, eggs, and other grocery items we need or find on sale when we’re out.
Is it any wonder that sometimes what starts off as an easy walk leaves me feeling like I’ve had a work-out?
What are your ‘essentials’? What do you have in your bag/purse, etc. that doesn’t really need to be there? I’m curious!
Let’s chat in the comments below.
