Multiple Bags?

nd&ka

I feel like a total bag lady.  I have a bag for work, a purse, a backpack for when I bring DD to the gym with me, a regular gym bag for when I go to the gym at work, a diaper bag and a lunch bag.

HELP ME.  I need to consolidate.  (Plus my dining room floor looks like a cargo hold.) DD is almost 2 so I realize a diaper bag is no longer necessary, its just easier to not change my routine.

Does anyone else have this problem?  Can you suggest how to simplify all of my bags?

Thank you!

bumpuser511563

Depending on your refrigerator space at work, is there any way you can pack lunch enough for a whole week so you can eat it at work.

Do you have a locker at the gym? You can leave your gym clothes, shoes and some spare diapers in there. You can change your dirty gym clothes out at the end of the week.

Ditch the diaper bag and get a backpack for your DD so you can put diapers, wipes, extra clothes for her and some toys in there.

Essentially, that eliminates 2 bags out for most of your work week.

jf198400

It sounds like you only need 1 bag for DD instead of backpack and diaper bag.  Can you put your lunch bag inside your work bag?  Or carry your wallet in your work bag and leave the purse at home?  I totally understand b/c I have my purse, pump bag, cooler for pumped milk, and lunch bag.  When I'm out with the kids I try to just shove my wallet, cell, and keys in the diaper bag so I don't have to carry a purse as well.  But if we are going out on a full-day trip I end up needing 2 diaper bags to hold everything  for 2 kids.

aglenn

I feel your pain.  With two kids (plus a pump bag again, now, for DS), I look like a pack mule.  I did ditch the purse and put my essentials in a wristlet that fits into my work bag (and goes in the diaper bag on the weekends).  I keep diapers/wipes in the car so I don't need a full diaper bag unless we're going to be out and about for a long period of time.  My "at work" gym bag stays in my drawer at work and I just bring home the clothes and switch them out as needed (I just lift weights when I go mid-day at work so I don't get super sweaty).  It is still a lot, though.

jlaOK

For sure get rid of the diaper bag. I got a large (cute) purse that I can fit DS's diapers, wipes, and changing pad in.

Can you combine gym bags whether DD is with you or not? Or maybe keep both in the car?

I guess your work bag is so that you can work at home? Can you scan and email yourself all work that you need...or maybe don't do any work at home (wouldn't that be nice). 

Pumpkin62307

aglenn:

I feel your pain.  With two kids (plus a pump bag again, now, for DS), I look like a pack mule. 

Lol! I feel the same way. I was walking out of work the other day carrying my purse, my laptop bag, my pump bag, and my cooler for milk, and one of the guys gave me a strange look and said "Can I carry something for you?" I told him I was ok and I used all the bage to balance myself so I didn't tip one way! Then I pick the kids up for daycare on my way home, so add a diaper bag, infant carrier and a toddler to the mix! No wonder I've got such strong arm muscles!

I agree with foregoing the purse and just throwing your wallet in the diaper bag. I do that when I go out grocery shopping, but I might actually toss it in my pump bag when I go to work too. Of course the day I do that will be the day I'd need something from my purse!

shannm

I don't have any great suggestions but this made me laugh.  I realized that I had 8 bags to load in the car on Monday morning for me and two kids!

stdldb29

I have a large purse and that is it. The kids don't get a bag. We keep a change of clothes in the car for them and one at daycare. I just put my lunch in my purse bag and go.

sapphirebride06

I keep the diaper bag in my car unless I need to repack it, then I do not bring it in.  I have a tote that I put DS#1 lunch bag in, his take home folder and DS#2 bottle bag in.  Then I leave it at daycare so I can carry it all back to the car in the tote too.  I have a pump bag and my cooler part for milk fits in there so I'm not help with that.  Monday mornings are definitely the worst for me being a pack mule but H calls me a bag lady because I have different bags for different things.  I have a big purse, the diaper bag for the baby, my pump bag, sometimes a bottle bag and on Monday's I also have DS#1 napmat, and DS#2 blanket lol. 

Netty_3

I am the same way.  Now I just throw my wallet and makeup bag that would have gone in one of my cute purses in the gym pumping bag. Not cute, but efficient, especially when I have to carry LO on top of all that. I've got it down to 2 bags for me and 1 for LO. (Pumping bag!) Sometimes I can throw LO's bottles from school in the gym bag too.  So I consolidate when possible.

nd&ka

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions. 

I don't understand why 20 pounds of kid needs 500 pounds of crap.

Pumping mamas...I AM NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO CARRYING THAT BAD BOY AGAIN!!!  (not ttc but eventually will).  More power to you, carrying that thing is AWFUL!

jnealet

I feel like the bag lady too but I've consolidated it down to 2 bags - my work bag and my pump.  I have a big ol'purse and I put my little cooler bag and my lunch bag in there.  I can fit my laptop in too if I bring it home.

But if we go to the pool after work, then theres a pool bag or two and the girls bag.

Its not too bad on the way out but I'm weighted down on the way home.

Bella427

aglenn:

I feel your pain.  With two kids (plus a pump bag again, now, for DS), I look like a pack mule. 

LMAO at pack mule.  So true!  And now that the kids are doing "water Wednesdays" at school too and need extra stuff for that, sometimes I feel like I'm packing for vacation just to get out the door!

ns1

Yep...I'm the bag lady too!  I finally have 2 huge bags and my purse I carry with me, and I'm not sure if that's an improvement or not.  I still look like a crazy bag lady!  I leave DD's diaper bag at dc now and just bring extra clothes as needed.  (It took me 7ish months to get to this point too).  I just shove my 3 coolers in a larger bag (pier 1 imports shopping bag type thing...cracker barrel has massive bags that even hold my pump bag...but they're really gaudy...but I tend to use them anyway!).  Then I have a huge bag with coolers in it, my pump bag, and my purse.  I guess this is no good solution.  It should get better though, right?