www.whatifbag.com
Back in the day when I had a toddler attached to my hip and one in a stroller. I wouldn't think of leaving the house without the famous sippy cup, pacifier and my "whatifbag." Back then this bag was nameless. Thinking back, I guess the bag's name would have been a diaper bag. It was filled with all those things you need when babies can't use the toilet and are constantly in need of something in their mouth.
Eventually, thank goodness, the babies became toddlers and the toddlers became kids. Change is inevitable, but the one constant was my bag of stuff that came with me where ever we went. I became pretty darn good at anticipating what a situation may call for. Especially the emergencies!
I'd stock my bag with anything I thought I might need when away from home for a period of time. I even had things that other moms needed when out on the playground. I once helped a young couple with a screaming newborn on an airplane. I was always prepared and happy to help. As were the other passengers on that plane. Yes, the baby stopped crying after a nice dose of mortin.
For instance, you are at the park and your four year old has an accident. Poof, an extra outfit can be found in the bag. As well as wipes and powder that make all things smell good again! Or , you are on a long trip in the car and someone feels sick. Of course, I'd have a thermometer,tylenol and mortrin in the bag. Never want to be caught without fever relief. The upset stomach can hit without any notice. Chewable relief for those belly aches is a must. I'm not sure if that stuff really ever worked, but I do know, just by virtue of the fact I had it and told my kids it would make them feel better, they seemed to instantly go from high drama to calm and relaxed. And then so would I!
My point is..."the bag" had all kinds of things in it! As the outings changed so would the items I'd put in the bag. If we were going on an airplane. I'd make sure I had sea bands for motion sickness, ear plugs and gum. I also always traveled with a prescription for motion sickness for my oldest son. Finally at age 15 he is able to travel without getting totally nauseous. I still pack a few pills with me when we fly just in case. If we were going to New York for Christmas,as we do every year during cold and flu season. I would make sure I had cough medicine and various other things that would help if someone got the flu. When we went to the beach, I'd switch out the bag. This time I'd include bug spray, neosporine, allergy meds, aloe, anti itch cream, bandaids etc etc. I think you get the gist. The key to my bag of stuff was that I knew my kids and what things they might need based on past experiences.
Lets give it up for being a Mom! On the job training is the only training.
The bag soon became know to those closest to me as my "What if Bag." I started calling it my "what if bag" because I would say to myself, "what if I need this, or what if someone gets that?" Hence the birth of the official name of the bag of stuff... The What If Bag! Eventually, Friends and family started to expect me to have what they needed too. They would ask for things from my "what if bag," calling it by name! 95% of the time, I had what they needed.
So to this day, I still have the bag, I purchased about 8 years ago and it is my "What if Bag." It's orange and red stripped and looks like a large makeup bag. Nothing fancy but very effective. I've never upgraded it or switched it out. My kids are now teens and pre teens soI don't take my What if Bag out that much anymore. I guess those days are gone. But the bag sits in the closet stocked full of all kinds of things from days gone by. I really should go and check what's in there. I know that if I ever ran out of something in my medicine cabinet, I could go to the "What if Bag" and find a small supply of what I need.
As I'm writing this, I'm realizing what a story I have here. It's a bit sentimental and bitter sweet as well. Sweet because my kids aren't getting sick all the time or falling down or needing a change of clothes anymore. And that is the bitter part as well. My kids are older now and that kind of care isn't as necessary like it was in the olden day. I am also realizing just how much use I've gotten out that crazy orange and red bag. How many places that bag has been. Literally it has been all over the world. I truly need to pass the original "what if bag" on to one of my 3 kids. Not sure which one yet, but it's something I must do. Not just the bag, but the story behind the bag. Including the love and energy that goes into having a "what if bag. A bag that just has it all. How special is that.
I know all too well that one day my kids will find themselves in situations with their own children where the unexpected happens! And when it does, I also know how happy they will be if they can handle the situation by simply reaching into a bag. How profound it that. They will have the secret...the power of knowing the beauty of a throughly stocked and well thought out "what if bag."
www.whatifbag.com
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