I’m not a mom yet, but I truly love your low-maintenance mom-awesomeness. If you’re NOT low-maintenance, you’ve hidden it well! :)

I don’t really get this post…Aren’t “diaper bags” just purses with diapers inside them? I don’t carry a nylon, short-strapped, ugly bag, but I do carry a larger purse that I happen to love and fill it with all of my baby goodies alongside my non-baby belongings. That little pile of stuff seems like it would work for a VERY specific situation (like you mentioned); one baby, summertime, short trip, and nursing. But when your kids are closely spaced, and you’re gone for more than 30 minutes-where would you strap in the snacks, water-cup for the older child, pacifier, emergency small toy/book, etc. Hating ugly bags is one thing, but a diaper bag serves a legitimate purpose. I’d love to run into you on the street and take a look inside your purse and see what you really carry when out running errands. Something tells me that the photo above is a bit of an exaggeration.

Also-it seems a bit contradictory when someone loves bags, but plays up a minimalist approach to things. If you’re out sans-baby what do you need beside your wallet and your keys? I don’t get the need for a giant over-the-shoulder bag if you don’t have diapers filling it (aka a diaper bag).

I could never find a diaper bag I didn’t hate either. I have a minimalist system similar to yours I can stuff in my regular bag (or sometimes just throw in the back of the car) for little events and a bookbag I can cram full for longer adventures. Glad I’m not the only one like this… I kinda felt like a mom fail.

@roni, this doesn’t have much to do with the post, but I just felt like I wanted to say good for you for actually reading the comments people leave you and responding to them. A lot of the other bloggers fail to do that and I appreciate that you do. I’ve also noticed that you read what the other bloggers are saying and chime in with comments there as well. I appreciate that. Makes this feel more like a community (which is how it is supposed to feel, after all) with a variety of mommas talking TO each other, rather than “the bloggers” talking at us and never really caring about what we have to say in return. Thanks.

A ‘bag whore’ myself, I have spent 13 years avoiding the so-called diaper bags for the very same reasons you quote, preferring to use something more individual. Your elastic band idea is inspired! Finally, after all this time, I’m having a bag specifically designed for babywearing, and made out of woven wrap fabric – I’ll get to indulge in two ‘whore’ activities: bags and woven wraps :D

We went with a diaper vest to enable easy baby wearing and to let my male spouse keep his “I’m too cool for a baby bag” attitude. It is polar fleece so it doesn’t go so well with hot summers, but even under/over a Minnesota-warm winter coat the diaper vest is great. I personally too seek the perfect bag, but I am rarely seen with one leaving the house because I prefer to have as little stuff to carry as possible, so this is turning into a hunt for the perfect thing to keep all the stuff that goes into a purse organized in my car… luckily the diaper vest has enough pockets for my wallet, phone, and some tissue.

I use different bags just like you do, none of which are diaper bags. My friend gave me one of her old “artist” bags, which looks a lot bigger than it is, but it helps me not drag so much crap around when we leave the house. I’m lucky that my kiddo is in the stage where I just need to pack a sippie cup, a snack, and a couple diapers and I’m good to go (at least for a day trip). The only thing of mine in the bag is my wallet! :)

I use a H&M one, big enough for mommy stuff plus a few diapers, wipes, a onesie the nursin cover and the changing pad (it’s a thin one). I didn’t think of the rubber band before but I used a fabric thin bag to put all the baby stuff in it then in my purse so whenever I change my purse I just grab the little bag out of it and it works for me because I HATE diaper bags. For longer trips I carry extras in the trunk.

I always have my diaper bag. I have a 2 year old and a 9 month old. I never leave with out juice boxes, snacks, diapers, wipes, bibs, bottles you name it I have it in there. I have a Vera Bradley diaper bag and I love it. The big section holds everything I need for the kids and the front part holds my things so I don’t need to carry two bags. I think the straps are long but I’m a shorter person so I don’t know how well it work for a taller person.

I have a little diaper pad/diaper/wipe holder I got at target that I love. It has a zipper to put my cards in and l can go anywhere. I never used a bag/purse till college and am hoping to get back there some day!