10 Products That Save the Day for Busy Moms
Got any extra time to spare? I’m guessing no. And that’s exactly is why we LOVE these 10 products. They are sanity savers that seriously save time, energy, space and — oftentimes — the day!
1. P2 i Clean Everything All-in-1 Surface Cleaner Concentrate ($15.95)
P2 offers a variety of products using probiotics (cool concept, right?), but this concentrate really does clean everything. Mix with some water and scrub everything from glass to granite to wood to concrete to tile to laminate. You can use it on both porous and non-porous materials and it helps control mold, mildew and fungus with detergents, enzymes and probiotics. Biodegradable, non-toxic, non-flammable, non-allergenic, non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free, it’s not tested on animals, safe for children and pets, and has no harsh chemicals. I cleaned all my floors (laminate and wood), counters and tub, and it cleaned beautifully and easily with no sticky residue and a great slightly minty and fresh scent. Seriously, toss out your other cleaning products and go for this all-in-one. It’s a space saver and you always have the right product to clean with!
2. Tiny Bites Food Shears ($10.99)
Little ones need food cut up in little pieces. Especially healthy foods like fruits and veggies. But, um, what parent wants to carry around a knife? Or bust out the cutting board for every meal and snack? Not this mom. And these Tiny Bites food shears answer that problem. With an on-blade ruler, cutlery-grade stainless steel blades and a child-proof protective blade cover, you can throw these in your picnic or bag and easily cut food on the go or at home. I’ve found these particularly awesome for halving tricky items like grapes and baby tomatoes, but they also make easy and quick work out of pizza or sandwiches. My only complaint is that you have to wash and dry them pretty quickly after use — otherwise they can rust, so just be mindful of that, mamas!
3. The Brushies ($16.95
)
Is tooth-brushing time a battle of the wills in your house? The Brushies to the rescue! These fun finger puppets double as a toothbrush for infants and toddlers and come with the cutest book that encourages regular brushing. Created by two doctor moms, they are BPA- and phthalate-free, non-toxic, made of 100 percent food-grade silicone and are easy to clean and sterilize — you can just throw them in the dishwasher. If you struggle to get your little ones to brush, this makes it SO much more fun. (One caveat: the pink one — when seen out of context — resembles a bit of an, ahem, rather adult product, so just be mindful of that when company comes over.)
4. Mother Load Collection ($50
)
Moms really do hit the mother load with these. Because they basically take that problem of a lost binky at the bottom of your bag, or switching bags, or trading off diaper duty with dad when out and about without having to lug everything into a small bathroom and SOLVES THEM. A true organizational system, these coordinating grab-and-go pouches are color-coded by use and are made with machine-washable and water-resistant nylon and stretch mesh so that they can expand to however much you need to carry. There are bags for diaper stuff, extra clothes, wet/dirty items, snacks and utensils, and toys. Each bag zips up and has an optional wrist strap in case you want to carry it on its own, too. I’ve used these in our diaper bag, in my purse, solo and in my gym bag, and they just make organization and finding stuff SO EASY.
5. Infinity Bag ($198)
Speaking of gym bags, this is my gym — and life — bag! First, it’s incredibly comfortable to wear, which is KEY, when I’ve got it loaded up and am chasing after a toddler. I’ve taken it to the gym, the zoo, the yoga studio, the store, the park … everywhere. Second, it has an easy-to-reach compartment for your essentials (and for those kid essentials, see above — the Mother Load bags fit well in this!). Third, the bag has a separate compartment for shoes or a yoga mat, but there’s a zipper that can release that bottom panel for a deeper bag in case you need more room and aren’t packing shoes or a yoga mat. But, wait. There’s more! There is even a detachable, machine-washable laundry pouch (great for short trips), a padded laptop section (also fits an iPad well for endless Peppa Pig episodes), a spot for small- to medium-sized water bottles, and lots of interior and exterior pockets. The wide crossbody strap is super cute and way comfy, as is the soft and light mesh materials it’s made of. Plus, that front pocket is the perfect size and place for your phone, keys and other stuff you need to get to quickly and easily. They thought of EVERYTHING!
6. Fawen Drinkable Soup ($4.99
)
Don’t ya hate it when you really want to eat healthy and fresh but you haven’t been to the grocery store in days and or you’re out on the run and don’t have the time (or hands) to eat a salad? Me, too! Which is what makes Fawen Drinkable Soups so genius. They’re chilled, ready-to-drink and filled with organic and vegan superfoods like beets, purple cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and sweet potatoo. With, on average, 82 percent less sugar per serving than similar-type products like cold-press vegetable juices and fruit and vegetable-blended smoothies, these have no artificial ingredients or sweeteners and they even give you a little bit of hydration because they’re blended with organic coconut water, coconut milk and virgin coconut oil — and lots of healthy spices for flavor and kick. Talk about veggie power!
7. Silk-Expert IPL Powered by Braun ($399
)
I love to shave … said no mom ever. And this is a hella convenient way to permanently remove hair (yes, for real and for good) in the comfort of your own home, after the kids are napping or in bed (no IPL for the tykes). With a variety of settings for extra gentle treatments, this little device actually measures your skin tone to deliver exactly the right light intensity for you. And with only 1-2 seconds between flashes, you can cover large areas like your legs, chest and arms, in a pretty short amount of time. Most women see results in three months — and there’s even an app that helps you to keep track of your treatments and track your progress. Considering I can barely remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, this is very helpful.
8. Viita ($19.99)
We’ve written extensively about bladder issues and control and peeing because, well, this is the stuff you deal with post-baby that you really don’t hear much about. But it’s a real prob! Especially during jump roping. And if you’ve ever had a pad or panty liner flip on you during an activity, you know that is not a legit solution to pee probs (because, ouch). These undies use a high-tech textile and a triple-layer design to help you stay dry, odorless and leak-free. They have regular-looking undie designs, can be found in CVS and are pretty comfortable — even if they are a bit bulky in the crotch (still better than a pad). Note though: these last longest when they’re handwashed so, yeah, be prepared for that come laundry day.
9. ThermaCell Halo Repeller ($39.99
)
Mosquitoes suck. And this thing really does keep them away. My family has had the smaller version of this for years now, but this larger Halo covers a 15-foot-by-15-foot area, is quiet, has very little odor and has no open flame so it’s safer for the littles. It can also be fueled to run for 48 hours, so it’s great for camping. And let me just tell you, it’s SO much better than putting bug spray on the whole fam!
10. We Are Family Mugs
The political climate is pretty stressful out there nowadays. And this mug? Well, it just makes us smile. Especially when it’s full of hot coffee. Which is really what we want and need every day, right? Right.
What products are saving your time, energy and sanity right now? —Jenn