For the past 5+ years, leaving the house has been no easy task. Gone are the days when I could dash out with just my car keys and wallet for a few quick errands. Now, to walk out the door, not only do I have to check that my hair is brushed and I’m wearing clean clothes, but I also have to make sure my three kiddos are dressed and have shoes on, and, until recently, that the diaper bag is completely packed! No wonder I am constantly late everywhere I go!
But now that my kids are a little older, I’ve realized my diaper bag is literally weighing me down. I think it legit weighed 20 pounds or more. It was full of pull-ups, extra clothes, wipes, hair ties, snacks, four kinds of butt cream, toys, crayons, and so much more. All things I rarely needed but feared to leave the house without. Until one day, when my sister asked, “What do you really need all that for?”
That’s exactly how I lost 20 pounds overnight! I realized my kids are growing up, and I needed to, too! Now I carry a purse, yes, you read that right, mama has a purse! And boy, do I feel so much lighter and free. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a backup bag, but I’m confident now that I can leave all my mom supplies in the car.
Here’s how you can drop the weight, too.
1. Potty train your little one.
I know this is no easy task. It took me almost eight months to potty train my three-year-old twins, but it was worth every effort. Now, as much as public restrooms gross me out, I don’t have to worry about finding a changing table or carrying massive amounts of diapers, just in case.
2. Skip the snacks.
Unless we are going to an all-day event, I don’t bring snacks. My kids are now old enough that they don’t have to eat so frequently (even though when we are home, they ask for snacks about every 30 minutes). And if they just can’t wait to eat, they are now able to handle themselves in a kid-friendly restaurant.
3. Relax.
Leaving the house with three littles is stressful. I always tried to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Although being prepared is a good thing, I didn’t need to put so much stress and effort into an outing. Now, when I leave the house, I focus on all the fun we will have rather than all the things that might go wrong.
4. Accept that they are not babies anymore.
This has been the most challenging part for me in letting go of the weight. I know I won’t be having any more babies, and for many reasons, that makes me feel a bit sad. However, the age and stage that my children are at right now is so much fun! We can go out and do so many exciting things together. They are growing up and becoming pretty amazing little people.
Dropping the weight of my diaper bag has not been as simple as it may seem, but I love the freedom. And who knows, maybe I can lose that massive backup bag I leave in my trunk sometime soon. Hey, it’s always a good thing to set small goals for yourself to ensure success!
