Wristlet by Avril Walker Shelton

Wristlet ?!?!?!
By Avril Walker Shelton

I remember “going out” in my college days; a gaggle of girls, all in black pants and some version of a tank top. We carried our I.D. and lipstick in one pocket and money in the other. Who needed a purse back in those maintenance free days of our naturally beautiful youth? No one had a cell phone, and I-Pods hadn’t been invented yet.

But as one “matures,” and certainly as one has a child come into her life, the days of simply pocketing items vanishes…and not into thin air. It vanishes into a bottomless pit of what I will call, “responsibility accessories.”

Disclaimer: Before you continue reading, please note that these are my personally observed stages and one may choose to carry an additional purse at any time. It should also be noted that all diaper bags and their contents are different.

Now, read and enjoy…

The Diaper Bag

Designers of diaper bags have really come a long way. Before having children, I could barely tell you what one looked like. As people at work became pregnant and had baby showers, I remember noticing huge; I mean massive; steamer trunk like bags covered in bears, bunnies, or flowers. When I “caught” baby fever, (just in time for a style shift) diaper bags became a little trendier. They were more stylish, made with classier fabrics had more pockets, and solid colors became available. Now surely we understood that with all of this trendy change, we would all have to except the “trendy” new price…expensive. Well, I had nothing to “really” compare it to because I had never purchased one previously. But, I had a feeling the bags being introduced back then by Coach, Kate Spade and the kind, were a little bit on the pricier side when, as friends, we would all get a small gift for the expectant mother, plus chip in $$ for the ultimate diaper bag she had been eying, and therefore had listed on her registry.

The good thing is that it seemed as if overnight, all types of bags became such the hot new accessory in general, that those who were more cost conscious and fashion forward could walk into any store and find a big enough bag to work for them. (And how thoughtful of the designers to think of the dads as well; a good messenger bag could easily double as a diaper bag for an active dad or parent on the go)

“Why so much space needed?” one might ask. Well, it works in stages. Must I really list the reasons? Yes, I must…let’s say you have a newborn…items found in your diaper bag might be…

Stage 1:

15 diapers
a package of wipes
diaper rash ointment
disposable changing pads
non disposable changing pad
diaper disposal bags
multiple burp cloths
5 changes of clothes (for the “blow-outs” all babies have…out of one end or the other)
formula
bottles
breastfeeding shawl
blanket
wallet
cell phone
lipstick/comb (if you’re lucky)
hand sanitizer
plastic paper bags to keep soiled (blow-out) clothes in
keys

The Practical Bag

The good thing is, as your child ages and changes, you mature, and you “learn” what you need, and how to pack it more efficiently. All the while becoming more addicted to diaper bags, or really, larger bags of any sort.

Stage 2:

5 diapers
2 changes of clothes
bibs
formula
breastfeeding shall
jars of baby food
baby utensils
board books/toys
plastic bags for soiled clothes
wipes
hand sanitizer
diaper disposal bags
etc.

It May Be a Backpack or a Big Purse

So, now that you rarely use the “expensive” diaper bag you were so excited about while hormonal, (that’s no surprise). Either you’ve realized it’s not practical enough, it’s filthy for a plethora of reasons, or you’ve simply come to the conclusion that it’s simply too nice for everyday use and you pull it out of the closet for those special “mommy occasions,” (and you know what they are girls…wink, wink). By this time, you have already popped into any given store and purchased something practical, yet sassy, and comfortable.

Stage 3:

5 pull ups
5 changes of clothes
snacks
toys/board books
wipes
hand sanitizer
sippy cup
plastic bag to put soiled clothes in
etc.

The Handbag

I remember hunkering down to potty train. Please feel free to refer to my Nov. and Dec. columns for that adventure. I tell you! It has been such a new found freedom to return to a “purse.” A true on the shoulder, or hand held, “regular size purse. (I had friends that were jealous).

Stage 4:

bag of snacks
drink box/bottle of water
cell phone
change of big girl panties (In a sandwich bag)
personal calendar
wallet
lipstick/other makeup (which is clearly now needed by this point in my life)
hand sanitizer
etc. (it’s still a good size bag…)

By stage four I had arrived. I didn’t need to carry around all the “gear.” My children were older, and most times I was even abandoning my stroller. They just walked with me as I carried my purse. (Walking: A good way to tire them out for the day, for a possible better night’s sleep)

But I was, and still am drawn to bags. We won’t discuss how many I have, or the obscene number I have gone through in the past 5 years; and we most certainly won’t discuss my husband’s lack of understanding as to why I “need” so many different bags, when he has had the same “wallet” for 10 years. (Smile)

So, to bag up this column, the entire point of it being that, while venturing out for a little shopping with a pregnant girlfriend of mine, I was busily eyeing the latest hand bags while she was at the counter looking at wristlets. I didn’t even know the things existed, but apparently it’s like a small purse/wallet with a tiny strap you wear around your wrist. You use this clutch type purse to take along the things one would need out on the town now, such as keys, cell phone, cash, I.D., credit card, lipstick, etc., you know, the bare minimums.

I must admit it was cute. But, I did laugh out loud when I saw her eying to buy it while fully pregnant in something like her 8^th month. Now I know it was for a useful purpose; she had an event to attend. But, I also knew I would not be surprised to find it nestled in her closet one day next to the “expensive” diaper bag. The wristlet, only to be pulled out when truly necessary, and honey, hers would be out more than mine.

***A.C. I love you! Thanks for inspiring this column…

Avril Walker Shelton is a savvy stay-at-home mother of two daughters. She has worked in the fields of Public Relations and Higher Education. Deemed as a "Mother on the Move," Avril is involved in a variety of family oriented groups.

A graduate of Marshall University, (M.A. in Counseling) and The University of Florida, (B.S. in Public Relations), she is actively working toward improving and empowering herself.