My People

My People
My matched set of grandchildren - Oliver and Cosette

Thursday, January 12, 2017

What's In Nana's Diaper Bag

Never would I ever have seen myself carrying a diaper bag as I was approaching *gasp* fifty years old. Yet... my precious granddaughter's parents split up and we went through a hard, expensive battle for custody winning the right to have her spend time with us 2 or 3 days a week. Building a good relationship with her mom has meant that we can, for the most part, have Cosy time whenever we want Cosy time. That means that I find myself packing a diaper bag a couple of times a week.

Truth be told, my diaper bag is a backpack and not just ANY backpack... it's the backpack that Cosy's Aunt Marquee carried to college. Hopefully that's carrying some higher education mojo along with the diapers and wipes. It's easier for me because it has very clearly divided pockets and I know exactly where things are held.  So if I'm driving and Austin says, "where's ______?" I can guide him directly to it.

By the way... there's a whole 'nother blog coming about driving with a toddler who is accustomed to having someone in the backseat with her... adventures in Nana-Life, for sure.

We very rarely carry the diaper bag in with us wherever we're going but usually just have it in the car or nearby so that her stuff is all gathered in one spot. I typically wear a hoodie or something with pockets and I tuck her paci - a must have at all times - in my pocket or purse so it's ready when she needs soothing. For an extended breastfed baby who is used to being soothed by the boob, the paci is a necessity.

So what's in Nana's Diaper Bag?

  • diapers, of course, usually 4 or 5 which is more than she would ever use in her time with us
  • wipes, used more often but still, I carry far more than we need
  • two pacifiers with their holder - the holder is very important, more like the TAG on the holder is important because she rubs that when she's nervous/upset/going to sleep
  • two complete outfits including socks, shoes - or slippers
  • a jacket or some sort of extra layer, sometimes a blanket
  • her school bus from Leapfrog with a couple of letters - another type of security for her
  • a bottle of water - in case it's needed for drinking, washing off a booboo or... anything
  • toasted coconut chips - she's addicted to coconut
  • Brother's freeze dried fruit - usually two bags
  • tissues
  • several pair of sunglasses
  • Nana's handicapped parking sticker


And... that's it, I think. We never go far (other than that time we went to see Grandma Leta which is still not a very long trip). Most of the time we are less than fifteen minutes from home so anything we're missing we can get to quickly and/or buy. We don't drop her off anywhere - such as daycare or the church nursery - so we always have the diaper bag in our possession. When she goes back to her mom's we have a smaller bag that we all call "the go bag" that goes in between dad's house and mom's to collect the items that belong in the other home or are shared. Typically that would be dirty clothes that she changed out of or maybe a toy that she's particularly interested in having with her. For the most part, if it's a toy she really loves we will buy two so that she has one at each house or we just let her take things to her mom's so that she gets to enjoy it more since she's there more.

Today I'm going to spend a few hours with her this morning and then take her home to nap. Then her dad will pick her up after work and take her to dinner with his friend. I'm sure I'll have photos to share on my other social media!

Have a great Thursday! Love and hugs, y'all!

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Kristy has 3 different types of diaper bags. The large oversized bags that were used when we were little. They use theirs for any overnight trips since it is so large. They have a backpack diaper bag that I got them that has pockets for everything.They use it all the time for visits. They also have a purse sized backpack (was Kristy's from when backpack purses were a fad) with just a couple of diapers some wipes and a small outfit that they keep in the car for a quick run to the store outings. All are already packed with basics they just add the clothes to fit the weather. The backpack stays by the door ready to grab on the way out. Just a quick trip to the store and the bag is already in the car so no need to pack one.