What to Pack Before You Leave the House With Kids (Hint: It’s Not Just Snacks)

We’ve all been there—rushing to get out the door with little ones in tow, juggling a diaper bag, a mental checklist, and the unpredictable moods of tiny humans. It’s easy to focus on the things—snacks, wipes, distractions, backup clothes. But the most important thing you can pack? Grace.

1. Pack Grace for Yourself

You're doing the best you can. Parenting in public can be overwhelming, especially when your child melts down in the checkout line or refuses to sit in the cart. But give yourself grace. No one gets it right every time, and you're not failing just because your child is having a hard moment.

You’re the grown-up. You’ve had decades of experience managing emotions, staying calm, and behaving appropriately in public. Your kids are still learning. Their brains aren’t even fully developed yet—especially the parts responsible for self-regulation and impulse control. The prefrontal cortex, which helps us manage emotions and make thoughtful decisions, isn’t fully formed until around age 25 [source].

2. Pack Grace for Your Kids

They’re not trying to ruin your day. They’re learning—how to wait patiently, how to share space, how to deal with disappointment. Their big feelings can feel out of control because, for them, they are.

Offering grace doesn’t mean letting everything slide. It means seeing the behavior for what it is: communication. It means holding space for their feelings, while also holding boundaries.

3. Be Kind and Firm

This is where the real growth happens—for both of you. Children thrive in environments that are both nurturing and structured. Research shows that authoritative parenting—which blends warmth with clear expectations—is consistently linked to higher levels of happiness, self-regulation, and social competence in kids [source].

Kindness without limits can lead to confusion and insecurity. Harshness without warmth can damage trust and emotional development. But a steady, loving presence that sets clear limits? That builds security.

As Dr. Laura Markham puts it: "Your child doesn't need you to be perfect. They need you to be present and consistent."

4. Set Boundaries With Love

Sometimes, the best choice is the hardest one. Sometimes misbehavior means packing up and leaving the store. Not as punishment, but as a calm, consistent response: “It looks like you’re having a hard time following the rules. We’ll try again another day.”

When this is done with love—not shame—it teaches kids accountability and helps them connect cause and effect. This kind of consistency is essential. Children feel safest when they know what to expect and trust that you mean what you say [source].

5. Remember: You're the Adult

Your children are watching you to learn how to be human. If we want them to manage their emotions, we need to show them how. If we want them to treat others kindly, we need to model it. If we want them to stay calm, we need to breathe deep and stay steady—even when it’s hard.

Because it is hard. But it’s also sacred work.

So yes, pack the snacks. Pack the toys. But don’t forget the most powerful thing you bring with you every time you walk out the door:

Grace.

P.S. For all the things... don't forget to check out our newly launched Diaper Bag.