Today’s Friday Question marks our 100th post on World Moms Blog!

This week’s question came from one of our writers – Kally Mocho.  She asked,

“As a mom, what one item can you not live without?”

Here are some indispensable items some of our moms cannot do without…

Eva Fannon of Washington State, USA writes:
“It would have to be diaper wipes. Even after my oldest was out of diapers (and the youngest wasn’t even born yet), we still kept buying them because they make cleaning dirty faces and hands so much easier!  I always keep an extra pack in the car.”

Veronica Samuels of New Jersey, USA writes:
“It’s wipes (disposable wet cloths) for me, too!  I use them for faces, for hands, for car spills, for diapers, for backup tissues…the list goes on!”

Kyla P’an of Massachusetts, USA writes:
“I would have to say the Pack N’ Play (portable crib, play yard, kid bedroom).  We moved around so much when our kids were really little that this provided continuity and familiarity for them. And, it provided freedom and flexibility for us!”

Tara B. of Washington State, USA writes:
“I feel silly with my answer, but it’s my iPhone (wait…hear me out!) I am on the go constantly with my children right now. While I always keep my phone handy in case there is an emergency, it also keeps me in touch with important contacts so I can be agile throughout the day with my schedule (i.e. when someone cancels an appointment or I need to connect with my husband). Also, I find myself with downtime if my toddler falls asleep in the car and I don’t want to disturb him by taking him out. So I can use my phone to catch up on email, schedule appointments, or read a book. I am actually writing this now in that very situation! I lived fine before I made the smartphone leap, and I know I would survive without it, but it sure is nice to have!”

Maggie Ellison of South Carolina, USA writes:
“I agree with Tara!!! I LOVE mine!!  My brain feels all twisted answering this because I have an issue with the difference between needs and wants. I try to stay grounded and not lose sight of what we have…especially considering how many people live without knowing where their next meal will come from or where they will sleep tonight . I need nothing after our needs are met, but my wants definitely make my life easier and more enjoyable.

So, I truly don’t want to need my phone, but good God, I loooooooove it so much I could do a commercial!! I have my calendar, addresses, birthdays, email, music, books, the internet all together and I don’t need to carry a hundred things. It’s a phone, too, of course. I play games when I wait for my son at school and I am on it now, too!! Oh yeah, can I add GPS, games for the kids, medic help, news, TV, star chart? LOL!!! Forget something practical like a washing machine, I am sure I can find an application to launder my clothes!! LOL!!! I know I could live without it, but I don’t want to!”

Karyn Van Der Zwet of New Zealand writes:
“For our younger two it was the sling (until 10kg!), wish we’d had it for number one, too. Now it’s the buggy. It’s where number three has all his daytime sleeps…and before you judge me – it’s practical!”

The Alchemist of India writes:
“Books – Picture books, Children’s Encyclopedia, Coloring books, fairy tales, Children’s fiction, whatever… Any children’s book can salvage the moment for me. Like his mommy, my son gets enthralled with books and I can get his attention back and into the books. I do not go out anywhere without a book or a comic. There is usually a stash in the car glove compartment and one or two always in my handbag. A book is my savior when dealing with my son during long travels, a long wait at any place, sheer boredom at home, or during funny moods (translate to ‘stubborn moments’ or ‘tantrum’ or whatever tough things you want to put here).”

Dee Harlow of Mexico writes:
“As a mother of twins, I cannot live without our double stroller. There is no way we could ever go out of the house without it, even when my husband and I are together because it’s hard to carry the nearly 30-pounders for very long in our arms or in a sling. And getting out of the house is key to alleviating their frequent boredom, teething fussiness, fighting spells and nap transitions. Merely saying, “Let’s go out for a WALK!” arrests their surge of whines and has them heading for their shoes, resulting in a big sigh of relief from me!”

Galit Breen of Minnesota, USA writes:
“One word: WIPES!”

Kirsten Jessiman of Canada writes:
“My BlackBerry! As long as I have that, I can improvise with what I have. When my youngest spent an unexpected night in hospital last week, I stayed with him, and the thing that made my life the most difficult was the fact that my BlackBerry had run out of juice. I couldn’t send updates to my husband, I couldn’t show funny videos to my son to cheer him up, nothing. The day was saved when a kindly nurse lent me her charger.”

What about other parents out there…what one item can you not live without? 

And do you have a question you would like to pose to our WMB writers?  If so, email us at wmbsidebareditor@gmail.com to see what they have to say.

Come back on Sunday to pick up next week’s “Travel Itinerary”.

– World Moms Blog

Photo credit to Sarah Gilbert http://www.flickr.com/photos/cafemama/2828809573/. This photo has a creative commons attribute license.

World Moms Blog

World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children. World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.

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