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10 Things Fathers of Toddlers Should Always Carry With Them. |
Traveling anywhere with a Toddler is always an adventure. These are
things that I have discovered over time are useful for dad to have with
him. I don't always have them, but I try to make an effort to
have most of them with me when traveling with my three year old
daughter. Especially if I am alone with her.
1. Bag of Animal Crackers
Take a simple Ziploc back full of animal crackers.
If the plastic Ziploc causes you concern find a small plastic cup. I
can't tell you how many times having a simple snack has helped occupy
my daughter or ended the crying. Other things like
the fish crackers, or granola bars work just as well.
2. Child scissors
If you carry scissor as part of a pocket knife, or finger nail
clippers, or even pocket knife with just a blade, you are pretty much
prepared for this one. I recommend child scissors for anyone else
because your child will want to hold the scissors after you use
them. On what? Straws. You want to be able to cut the
straw down to a shorter size to make it easier to handle with the
smaller cups that come with your childs drinks. Watching a child
drink from a straw that is too long makes the need for this one
obvious. You can often avoid picking up and holding the drink if
the straw is shorter.
3. Handkerchief or Receiving blanket
This is true for toddlers as even more true for even younger
children. You need something to wipe the noses, clean up the
spills, and otherwise wipe away the tears that inevitably come with
your adventures with your toddler.
4. Tiny flashlight
This can be a small flashlight or even a pen light. It is useful
for entertainment for your toddler as well has helpful in finding what
ever object has been dropped behind or under the back seat of the car.
5. 2 pieces of hard candy
My wife says I am cheating with I use this one, but if it works, then
dad should use it. I try to have two pieces of candy with me for
those moments that you need to stop the crying, persuade, or bribe your
child into doing what daddy wants. Of course you can't give candy
to your children all the time, or as often as they would like, but
there are moments when you are in a hurry that it works wonders.
If you get to the point that your child is asking you for candy all the
time, you are definitely doing this too often.
6. Picture of your child
This is as much for bragging rights as serving any useful
purpose. I have discovered as a proud father that I can talk to
anyone about my children. Pictures are always good. Just
keep in mind that you may have to look at their pictures as well.
7. Moist Towlet (individual wet wipe)
What works best is those individual moist towlets like the ones you get
at your BBQ restaurant. I think you can also find them at some
gas stations. Either way, while having wet wipes with you is
always a must, sometime you don't have them available and having a
single moist towlet tucked away can be a life saver. Especially
after you used the candy and now your child is all sticky.
8. Extra Pair of sun glasses
If you don't want your toddler reaching or wanting to play with your
sun glasses, then you need an extra "cheap pair" or sun glasses for
your toddler that actually fit them. There is nothing cooler than
when my daughter want to wear her sun glasses to be like daddy.
9. Camera
My wife carries a digital camera in her purse. A disposable
camera works as well. They even sell disposable digital
cameras. No matter what you have, there are those moments when
you are with your children that you wish you had a camera. Not to
mention, if you ever are in a car accident, or witness one, a camera
can be really important to have then as well.
10 Extra Emergency Diaper Bag
Take a gym bag and back if full of the same stuff as in the diaper
bag. Include the wet wipes, diapers, a change of clothes
etc. Keep it in your vehicle. If you have more than one
vehicle, make one for each vehicle. When you forget the diaper
bag or run out of something, you will be the hero for having thought
ahead. If you are along with the children and realize you don't
have the diaper bag, you will be thankful for the emergency diaper bag.
William E Petersen, author of the e-zine called Daddy Resource and the website http://www.DaddyResource.com
- A Practical Resource to Help Dads Grow. William is a father of two
children, Angelina who is four and Carlos who is two. He lives with his
wife and children in Texas.
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