A bag of snacks and a pair of slippers help this mom maintain her sanity while commuting with her kids

I live in a city that’s notorious for its traffic, and I have to drop off my 2- and 3-year-old children at their school in the mornings before I go to work, then pick them up in the evenings.

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So today, I’m going to show you my tips for maintaining your sanity while commuting with kids. Yes, it can be done.

Here are the things I absolutely need to survive the daily grind:

  • My lunch bag (on the front seat)
    • I keep the kids’ snacks and cups in the side pocket
  • A trash bin with a liner
  • Driving shoes (or, in my case, slippers) so I can kick off my heels as soon as I get in the car
  • Toys for the kids
  • A beach towel under the car seats to protect against spills
  • Extra everything (clothing, underwear, diapers, blanket, you name it)
  • First aid kit
  • Window shades that tell me when the car is getting too hot

RELATED: She dabs oil on a clothespin while cleaning the car, but wait until you see why

And here’s my genius trick for keeping the kids entertained the whole way home: I download a movie on my phone, then hook up my phone to my navigation device and attach it to the sunroof. That way, my kids can watch a movie while they eat their snacks, and I can enjoy my coffee in peace in the front seat.

What are some of the commuting tricks that work for you? I’m always open to new ideas!

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