Since our family has become a minivan family, I have boasted my (typically) fully stocked “Mom Console.” You don’t have to be a minivan mom to know what I’m talking about. Your Mom Console may be a trunk organizer, one of those back of the seat hanging compartments, or even a car caboodle with all the essentials. Regardless of the way we store the things we need, it’s always good to have those things on hand when you’re on the go. Especially during 2020 because it seems like now we need to prepared for it ALL.
Here is my Mom Console list of must-haves, plus my Covid-19 additions:
USB phone charger
Phones always need a mid-day or mid-trip charge, especially if you are using navigation/map features on your drive.
Sunglasses
Ain’t nobody like to squint or dig through a bottomless pit of a purse to find sunglasses. Keep a pair in the car.
Change/Cash
You never know when downtown will be calling your name. Keep a few quarters in the console to be able to feed the meters or some emergency cash in case you forget your wallet.
Pen/Pencil
I always need one and can never find one. And nowadays, I don’t want to use the bucket of pens that are at sign-in tables or credit card receipt clipboards if I don’t have to. Keep and use your own.
Easy Snacks
Cracker packs and or applesauce pouches are our go-to. I’d advise choosing something non-perishable that all your family members like, but don’t love. Then your odds of consuming said snack is only likely if you are truly hungry and not just because you feel like a treat.
Band-aids
For obvious ouchies. Heed my advice here though: don’t get the character band-aids for the car or they WILL be used as stickers. Regular ole band-aids for the mom console.
Baby wipes go pack
We use baby wipes for everything! I have no babies anymore but I do have sticky hands and numerous spills and these babies come in handy!
Tissue go pack
Boogers don’t wipe themselves away and there are only so many T-shirts I’m willing to forego to snot. A small pack or box of tissue is always a good baby wipe backup as well.
Small roll of plastic bags
I’ll say it louder for the people in the back. DOLLAR STORE ROLL OF PLASTIC BAGS! I have literally used these so many times for allllll different purposes. Trash bags, vomit bags (for adults and children), wet swimsuits, dirty diapers, and the list goes on.
Chewable Pepto and Tylenol
See above. Keep these in the car to hopefully avoid the use of other console items.
Pull-Ups
Okay, so this one may sound weird especially because if you know me you know both my children are potty trained. BUT, if you have 1 or 2 of those old pull-ups from back in the day just toss them in the console. Sometimes an emergency is an emergency and they’ll be grateful and the car seat will be saved.
Feminine Products
For kind of the same purposes as stated above, but for momma this time. Sometimes we can’t predict when Aunt Flo will come to visit!
Pony Tails
They are my girls’ “bobby pins.” We own so many but can never find one. Or they are stretched out, or they broke. Leave some in the console for these times.
ChapStick
I have one child with perpetually chapped lips. You may too.
Bug Spray
Bug Bite Thing
Benadryl Cream
Pesky mosquitos. Enough said.
Hand Sanitizer
Ironically enough, I kept a small squeeze bottle in the car already. We have just upgraded to a wide, flat-bottomed pump style so the whole family can use more frequently.
Extra Masks in a sanitized bag/container
“Did you grab your mask?” is often one of the last questions asked before heading to the car, but in the event that someone forgets, put their least favorite in a bag/container in the console as a backup.
