It all started out quite normal. My partner and I were relaxing on the sidelines of karate class, enjoying a fast-food dinner. I handed French fries to our stroller-bound toddler while giving a thumbs-up to our 6-year-old, all while my partner and I soaked in the romance that only a Monday night at home can offer.
As I absentmindedly reached into my bag for my phone, I was met with an unexpected surprise: a gooey, warm mess. Yanking my hand out like I’d touched a hot stove, I discovered the remains of a half-eaten fried apple pie. Why was this greasy delight in my bag? And why was it now coating my hand?
In a low hiss, I shot a glare at my partner. “Why is there a half-eaten pie in my bag?”
With a nonchalant shrug, he replied, “I didn’t want to put it in my pockets, so I tossed it in your bag.”
“Did it occur to you to use the trash can?” I shot back, met with a blank stare.
“Grrrr. We’ll revisit this later.”
When we got home, we had a chat about respect and the proper use of trash cans. Then, I dumped the contents of my bag onto the kitchen table. In addition to my phone, wallet, and keys, I found my partner’s lip balm, six toy cars, 15 Pokémon cards, four random rocks, and—surprise—a pair of boys’ socks. Yep, I had socks in my bag. Without sniffing them (because, let’s be honest, I knew better), I tossed them in the washing machine.
This, dear readers, is what I’ve come to call “the family bag”—when everyone drops their stuff into your purse without a second thought, leaving you to carry their clutter wherever you go.
Need sunscreen? Toss it in Mom’s bag! Water bottle? Mom’s bag! Found a stick you might want later? Mom’s bag! You catch my drift.
Now, I’m sure there’s some deeper psychological meaning here about how I’m bearing their burdens or how they rely on me too much, but frankly, that’s not my focus right now. No family is flawless. My goal is to restore my bag to its intended purpose and lighten my load a bit.
So, I’ve started zipping my bag shut and putting it away when we get home. If something mysteriously ends up in it, I promptly remove it. I’ve encouraged my partner to use his pockets more and now I play “Do you really need that?” with my 6-year-old before we head out. He likely won’t read all three books at the park, but guess where they’ll end up before we return home?
Oh, and I’ve got two stylish fanny packs hidden away for them. They can now carry as many half-eaten pies and dirty socks as they want—my bag and I can finally be free of the chaos.
Looking for more tips on managing family life? Check out some helpful insights in this post. And for those interested in at-home insemination, you can find useful resources at Cryobaby’s website or explore excellent information on pregnancy at Science Daily, which offers a wealth of knowledge.
In summary, it’s high time we reclaim our bags from the family clutter. Establishing boundaries and encouraging responsibility can restore order and lighten our loads.