Over the years and 3 sons later, I’ve discovered a thing or two about this parenting thing. 

1 — It’s messy.

2– It’s stressy.

There are few messes that drive me more crazy than the ones that occur in the car though.  My kids and I are seemingly always on-the-go since staying home reminds me how much laundry I have to do is not something I take well to.  I like being busy, active, and always having places to go and people to see.  I think my kids thrive that way too.  There’s always something new and challenging for them to experience.  So, here are a few of my best tips for taming the mess {and stress} that go along with kids while you’re in the car!  The following are my tried and true “Tahoe Rules” that my kids have become accustomed to living by.

– Keep at least one bath size towel in the car at all times. Inevitably one of the kids decides to get down and dirty at the neighborhood park or just decides to jump in a puddle after a quick summertime rain shower.  Having a towel in the car helps by having a place for kiddos to clean their shoes off on before getting back into the car. When not in use, I fold it up nicely and store it in the cargo area or underneath the backseats.

– Always have empty gallon size plastic baggies or empty grocery store bags in the car to corral wet items like socks, shoes, or swimwear.

– Bag up an extra set of clothes for each kid in storage compartment or seat back of your car.  This takes up minimal space yet you’ll have peace of mind in case you’re out and about and find yourself needing to change a kid (or two). 

– I keep a small tote bag slung over the back of the headrest of my driver’s seat that contains a small container of all-purpose baby wipes, an extra {emergency} diaper, sunscreen, lip balm, a bottle of water, bug spray, and hand sanitizer.  This helps keep these items close at hand, yet out of the way.  The kids also know they can just reach in there to get out a wipe if they need it to clean sticky or dirty hands as we’re out on errands or just going from activity to activity.

My friends over at Huggies, also certainly know a thing or two about mess!  They’ve collaborated with Poncho de Anda and Lina Amashta to put Huggies to the test during life’s stresses and messes.  Check out how cute this little familia is:

 

And right now la gente {the fine peeps} over at Huggies would love for you to “like” their Huggies Latino Facebook page and share your tips and stories on tackling parenting messes and stresses.  You can also enter their contest to win a fully stocked Huggies diaper bag!

I’d also love to hear your tips on how you tackle all of those joyous messes and stresses that parenting brings.  Please share them with me in the comments or join the convo on my blog’s Facebook page too!

 

{Disclosure: This has been a compensated post in collaboration with Huggies® and Latina Bloggers Connect. BUT, all opinions and thoughts expressed in herein are that of my own. No one is the boss of me!}