Organizing: do you have a kid kit?

Do you have young kids or grandkids who you take to the park, walk around the neighborhood with, walk to school or go anywhere outside with?

When I started taking my son to the park I realized that I needed a lightweight "kit" that would fit in a small pouch that I could "grab and go" and would contain all those little items that I inevitably needed and never had.

Years later and I'm still grabbing it as we head out the door. And it doesn't come in handy just for us.  I'm always handing out wipes, tissues, bandages and things to other moms who need them. Even when I need to take a tote bag with other items, this just gets thrown in.

Any "hands free" wristlet, small shoulder bag or belt pack will work. It's especially good if it's weather proof.


My kit contains:

a pack of tissues
bandages
neosporin
lip balm
travel size sunscreen
a small memo pad
pen
business cards
a few coins and a couple of dollar bills
individually packaged wet wipes
small pill box for pain reliever (in case of headache)

and it's big enough for my keys, cell phone, Ipod or sunglasses

I still use my kit when I walk my son to and from school twice a day and he's 9. It's much more convenient than taking my purse. My pouch converts from a small shoulder bag to fit around my waist by latching the strap on a different way.

Today I chaperoned my son's field trip and, sure enough, he had a nosebleed and I had the tissues and wet wipes right there. Then another girl scraped her knee and I was prepared for that too. I even had a pen handy for checking off the list of kids getting on the bus to make sure we had everyone and I had wet wipes to clean hands before the sack lunch at the park.

My son (in blue) and other kids enjoying their field trip to the Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area

New Use for Jewelry Pouches

My friend, Tamara sent me this photo.  For quite a while she's been using a satin jewelry pouch that I sent her as a holder for her ipod.  She says it works great and many people have asked her about it.

Photo by Tamara Munger.  Used with permission.

I need to send her a new one . . . Tamara, I hope you like eggplant color because I only have one left!

I don't actually use these for my jewelry sales. I use a sheer organza pouch since I like to be able to see through mine so I know what's in all those little pouches in my jewelry box. But when I travelled to China and shopped at the Pearl Market in Beijing, they packed up my order and used these little, empty, satin pouches in all different colors instead of packing peanuts or tissue in my box. Most of them have been given away to little girls who find them to be quite charming and to bigger girls who find other uses for them. Thanks Tamara!

 My current jewelry packaging