With three little ones under the age of four running around my house, keeping our family in motion requires a ton of effort. Between tantrums, getting dressed, bath time, meals, and the never-ending task of trimming sixty tiny fingernails and toenails, I’ve found myself relying heavily on certain modern conveniences.
Then it hit me: I definitely have it easier than my mom and my grandmother, who didn’t have the luxury of disposable diapers or epidurals (my grandmother had seven kids!). So, I hugged my Swiffer Wet Jet a little tighter and pondered what modern inventions I simply can’t live without as a mom. Here’s my list:
1. Baby Wipes
Let’s be real: baby wipes are a lifesaver. You’ve probably heard the jokes about how they can clean everything from your car to your pets, and I can assure you, it’s all true! With kids (and let’s not forget about husbands) around, there’s always some sort of mess stuck to a wall, floor, or even a window. Baby wipes have survived the Great Soft Serve Incident of 2013, the Valentine’s Day Donut Massacre, and even the Uh Oh! No Paper in the HESS Restroom! fiasco just last week. They’re portable, plentiful, and absolutely essential. Seriously, never leave home without them.
2. DVR
Thanks to modern tech (and a hefty $200 cable bill), my family has mastered the art of the DVR. Is your kid glued to the latest episode of their favorite show during dinner? Pause it! Is that movie going past bedtime? Watch it in the morning! Kids making noise during a weather update? Just rewind! If you can never seem to sit down for that 8 p.m. show, simply set it to record. The DVR was practically designed for families—use it well!
3. Squeeze Pouches
Have you ever seen what a kid looks like after devouring yogurt? It dries faster than you can believe, and cleaning it off skin can feel like a mini disaster. That’s why single-serve squeeze pouches for applesauce and yogurt are a total game changer. At first, I was a bit put off by the idea of my kids slurping from a foil pouch, but they love it, and I love the lack of cleanup. Total win-win!
4. Magic Eraser
For those unforgettable moments when your little artists decide your wall is their canvas or when they turn your living room into a modern art exhibit with makeup, the Magic Eraser is your best friend. Made from melamine foam, it effortlessly tackles everything from crayon to marker stains. The only way these little wonders could be any better? If they could erase the fashion choices of the ’80s!
5. Smartphones
Smartphones have made parenting so much more bearable. Stuck in a long line with a whining kid? Tweet about it! Kids fidgeting in the hairdresser’s chair? Cue up their favorite show. At the playground but not in the mood for small talk? Check your emails. From weather updates to finding coupons and restaurant recommendations, smartphones can make venturing out with kids almost manageable. And when you finally steal a moment of peace in your car, enjoying a bottle of Honest Tea and some gummy worms, you can catch up on the news, watch a movie trailer, or even scroll through social media. Your smartphone is the ultimate companion for busy mothers.
What modern inventions do you think you couldn’t live without?
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In summary, these five modern inventions—baby wipes, DVRs, squeeze pouches, Magic Erasers, and smartphones—are absolute essentials for today’s moms, helping turn chaos into a manageable daily routine.