It is so tempting these days to go all out. I mean, seriously, there are so many cool new things that can help ease the job of parenting. Everything is a “must have” item and we’re all so busy that we just want to maximize our time. But let’s be real, do you really need it? In most cases, the baiscs are truly what we need to love a fulfilling, organized and stress free life. Now if you must have it, get it. No shame at all here. Now let’s explore why basics often trump the urge to deck out our lives with the extras.
- The Beauty of Basics – Imagine your closet. You have all of your favorites, right? All of your go-to pieces. Now think of all the other items you thought you’d need but have since only worn once maybe twice. While it may have made us happy for a moment and was briefly fun, it mostly just added to clutter. The basics are our “besties” and we know that time and time again, they will be there to do the job we need done. The same can be said about baby items. Having all the fun gadgets can be fun but sometimes it just adds itself to our pile of clutter that we swear we’ll get to every day. My favorite go-to items are my carriers, stroller, and jumper, and I usually stick to basic clothing items that can be matched with other things.
- Versatility Over Excess – Listen, babies grow so fast. I mean they go through phases quicker than you think. One minute you’re swaddling them, the next min they’re already crawling through the house and trying to stand up. Investing in versatile, multipurpose items will save you money in the long run. Look for items such as a convertable crib that’ll not only keep your baby safe and comfy but also your toddler. Bassinets are great items but babies do grow out of them eventually and then they just become laundry holders. I love diaper bag backpacks because I can use them for anything really without anyone knowing that it’s a diaper bag and most of them are really really durable. If you’re a nursing mom and want to cover, look into geting a carseat cover that doubles as a nursing cover. Less is more when you’re new to parenthood and trying your best to navigate through it.
- Save Money for What really Counts – It is no secret that babies and children in general, are expensive. A lot of times that cost comes from buying unncessary items and boy do advertisers know how to grab our attention. Everywhere you turn someone is trying to sell something new that is a must have. But in all honesty, you don’t need the fancy items. You really only need the basics and sticking to that will always save you money if that’s the goal.
- Less clutter, More Calm – Most of us think that having a nursery full of items in our homes in the way to go beacuse that’s what we always see. Keeping things simple, keeps things organized. You don’t need the wall to be plastered in decor nor does every corner need to be filled. Keeping things simple to items like a bed, some storage and a few toys here and there, can make things easier and less cluttered. I remember when I had my first baby, I was on the hunt for all of the things because you know, I NEED it. Right? I was so wrong. I didn’t use most of it and it was just collecting dust in our way.
If you want to keep things simple, make a list. Think about what you want and what you REALLY need. Keep in mind that babies grow so fast and often times we don’t even remember to use the things we have beause we are so deep into parenthood and trying to survive that. Don’t be afraid to borrow items or buy second hand. I did both of those after the first few months when I realized how quickly we’d move through the stages. Invest in better quality and more versatile items. That’ll be a sure way to save and get your moneys worth. It’s so easy to feel like you need the items to be a good parent but honestly babies really need the basics to thrive. They need love and nourishment and safe spaces to sleep. And so do you! So don’t add more to your plate. You’re doing an amazing job already.