Balancing a family and a job can be tough. So can thinking about what you need to take to work with you.
Here a few items that help make my working mum juggle a little bit easier:
New bag
First things first: who doesn’t need an excuse to buy a new handbag? This is the first item I bought when I went back to work, because I needed a bigger bag to hold all those work essentials – like baby socks, a soother, all the coffee shop receipts.
Portable phone charger
A phone with a dead battery is no good to anyone, least of all a working mum. Running out of battery is one less thing I have to worry about after investing in a portable charger.
Coffee flask
Whether you drive, walk or get public transport to work, a coffee flask is a must. In fact, I was so afraid of being without my morning commute coffee that I bought two of these when I first went back to work.
Sample sized make up
I sometimes do my make up in the car once I’ve arrived at work – there are less distractions – so I carry sample sized make up around with me to save on space and weight.
Note book
For the endless to-do lists. I also have a diary, but the only thing I’ve written in there so far is my name.
Headphones
Because I still have baby brain (it’s a thing, you know), and even the slightest distraction can be enough to throw me off what I was doing. What was I saying?
Hand cream
For my mum hands (this is also a thing, you know).
Flat shoes
So I can get from my car to the office in one piece. Heels don’t really lend themselves to running after an active one-year-old; hence my inability to walk distances further than the length of the office.
Sunglasses
For the commute (and to hide the tired eyes).