Are you a Double-Bagger??

Okay, so I have a confession to make.


In the past four years, I have owned, um... seven diaper bags - yet I only have two kids. Dh will roll his eyes when he reads this, I have no doubt.


And I am still in search of a better bag! *Dh's jaw drops to the floor.*


Here's the deal. The diaper bags you get when you first have a baby are friggin huge, cause they're designed for the mother to be prepared for nothing less than a nuclear attack when she leaves the house with her precious cargo. They are large so they can hold a changing pad, diapers, wipes, extra outfits, bottles, water, formula, hand sanitizer, binkies, a semi-automatic weapon... just kidding. Plus there is room for your personal items as mom - wallet, keys, cell phone, your extra outfits!


As your children get older, there is less need for so much, well, stuff, so the diaper bag must evolve. (See honey, it's scientific...) ". Now most of my friends have decided to take the double-bag route. They have decided to carry a regular purse in addition to a little bag or backpack for their kiddo with all the necessities. Two bags. Not for me.


I want one bag - a mom bag. I usually have only one free shoulder or hand available to carry a bag when out with my kids as the other has to be free for street-crossing hand-holding or the 1-2-3-jump! game or for a quick smack on the rear should the situation arise. Two kids and four years later, I am still in search of the ultimate mom bag.


Here are a few likely candidates:


From Retrofied on Etsy-

I like how it's reversible so you can have a fun, cutesy print when you want it but also have a solid color when you don't. There are six pockets for all the aforementioned "stuff" you need to carry, and the size is right - neither too big nor too small.

From Treasured Totes on ebay -


I mainly like this bag because I've owned a couple very similar to it from this store, and I know that Diane makes her bags with great quality so they last. Great neutral color (I'd forego the monogram), three large pockets on the inside, and a removable base so you can wash the bag.

And from Pottery Barn Kids -

I love messenger bags in general, and the way this meets the diaper-bag needs? Perfect. Love the canvas. Love the striped strap and silver snaps. And I like the way it can be slung across the body for extra support. It's a little pricey for my taste, but otherwise great. Maybe it'll go on sale?

Alas, I will continue this quest until I finally find that ultimate mom-bag... or until my kids are in college, whichever comes first.

But one thing's for sure - they're be no double-bagging for this mama.