There are just some modern conveniences I wouldn’t want to live without. I make no secret that I love all things vintage, but that really speaks more to the style of the clothing and not the lifestyle of the day.
I’m sure that there are hundred, if not thousands of products that I use in my daily life today that were not available, say, in the 1950′s. Some big ones that come to mind would be central air conditioning, heated seats in cars, television remotes, the internet (hello, what’s a blogger?), and Tampax Tampons (sanitary belts are the stuff of nightmares).
This list, however, is some of the Modern Day Conveniences that as a mother I’m so thankful to have:
1. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
I have no idea what it’s made from, and frankly, my dears, I don’t give a damn. What I do know is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers remove crayon, colored pencils, markers, pens, scuff marks, Tonka Truck dings, race car track marks, random smudges and mystery crud, and even brightens up a dull looking tub. You just wet the sponge and wipe. Viola! Crayola whatever disappears. If there was a Hogwarts for Moms, Magic Eraser would be class 101. It’s fast, it’s amazing, and it keeps me from having to repaint my walls every day.
2. DVR
Hello, my name is Susan, and I let my kids watch TV. Sometimes I even let them watch TV for hours. Let’s be honest, most of us don’t spend our entire day reading, crafting, and super Mom-ing our children. I’ll be the first one to admit that when I need to do something like laundry, cleaning, cooking, or even want to use the bathroom for more than 30 seconds, I’ll select some of my kid’s prerecorded favorites from the DVR. Take one look at the recorded programming and you’ll know who is watching TV in my house…(pause for effect)…sometimes it’s the children!
*Gasp!*
Disney Junior, Nick Jr, and PBS Kids have saved my sanity on more than one sick day, rainy day, blizzard day, or just when the kids want to sit down and watch some TV. With DVR I can even play what they like…on demand! Winning!
3. Cordless Telephones
The cordless phone: taking you to places you never knew you could go…on the phone. I remember when I was a kid and we got our first cordless. It was the size of an iron and had a giant three foot metal antenna which still apparently didn’t pick up a signal if you were more than a room away, but still, it was so much more than they had back in the old days, right? Now, cordless phones are so receptive you could practically walk a mile away from the base. The cordless lets me talk on the phone and follow my kids from room to room. I can’t imagine how many household items my cordless phone has kept from breaking, how many toys were prevented from being flushed down a toilet, how many Magic Erasers I didn’t need just because of the cordless telephone.
4.Home Security System
Having a home security system is such a comfort, but probably not for the reasons you think. I have a security system not to keep people out, but to rest easy knowing my kids are in. When my oldest, who is now six and a half, was just two years old, I was rinsing the lunch dishes. Joey had been out of his seat for no more than three minutes, and to the best of my knowledge he was in the next room playing with toys. That’s what I thought until I heard the front door chime (a lovely setting on the system) letting me know the door had been opened. By the time I dried my hands and walked down the hall, my then two year old was half way down the driveway. I called out to him and he immediately replied, “Mail is here!” It’s times like that, I’m glad I can rinse a dish and not have to worry about a toddler wandering away. And since I still have a toddler, I’m grateful for an alarm. They can’t get to a door or window, or at least out of one, without me being alerted. With three of them, and just one of me, this is an essential.
5. Microwave Oven
The two minute (gluten free) mug brownie from Babble's Family Kitchen
Even though the microwave first hit the market in the late 60′s, it really didn’t become a household staple until the 1980′s. The microwave is used in my house daily reheating leftovers, cooking my kid’s favorites like hotdogs, steaming veggies the easy way, and even making snacks. There’s even quick and delicious desserts available right from the microwave in just a couple minutes. Have you tried mug cakes? Babble’s Family Kitchen featured a bunch of delicious mug cakes and brownies (the one pictured above was gluten free too)! Top it with a scoop of ice cream and it’s true love. But be warned, these microwave mug cakes may be fast and easy, but still they still come with cakey calories.
6. Extra Large Capacity Washers and Dryers
If you would have told me ten years ago that I could fall in love with a washer and dryer I probably would have thought you were crazy, but it’s true. Shortly after having my third child (and at the time having a four and two year old also), our washing machine broke and we decided to go with the extra large capacity washer and dryer (we purchased an LG pair). Not only is it energy and water saving, it’s giant and it saves me loads of time. Anything that minimizes time spent doing laundry is a must in my book.
7. Car Entertainment Systems
I remember trips to the beach as a kid that felt like an eternity. Sitting in traffic, sticking to the vinyl seats in the summer’s heat while the vents blew “cool” (not air conditioned) air in our faces. “Are we there yet?’ probably started not long after we left on what then was a two and a half hour drive. I’m sure we read books, colored, and maybe played with some toys, but it felt like such a loooong trip. In retrospect, it was probably even longer for my poor parents. Now I live about thirty miles closer to the beach, and Delaware added a freeway which eliminates a lot of the traffic through towns along the stretch to our shores. My family frequents the beach, and in the summer we make weekly trips. However, the hour in the car always passes quickly…thanks to the overhead DVD player. My kids even measure the distance from here to my in-laws in Pittsburgh by how many movies we watch. That’s right, I let my kids watch TV in the house and in the car too! *Double gasp*
8. Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker
It’s quick, it’s easy and it brews one cup at a time. It’s my favorite small kitchen appliance and it makes me a much more pleasant person in the mornings…and afternoons.
9. Video Baby Monitor
These video monitors, which allow you to hear and see your baby, were around six and a half years ago when my oldest son was born, but I choose to add other necessities to my baby registry like jogging strollers (cause, you know, I’m so fit). When I had my second child, it was just two years later and I busted the first monitor. I was fortunate to work with some really fabulous people who gave me a sizable gift card which I used to buy a fancy pants video monitor. Once Jake was out of the bassinet and in his crib, I was amazed at how many times I would have gotten up to check on him, but was able to stay in bed and see he was just wiggling around or getting into a new position. Anything that gives a Mom more sleep and less anxiety that doesn’t require a prescription is another must have on my list!
10. Social Media
Social media is still evolving and who knows where it will lead, but personally, I’m thankful for it. Without sites like Facebook and Twitter I would have lost touch with a lot of old friends from school and work, and I wouldn’t have a place to share and connect (at least not during nap time)! Plus, chances are, you wouldn’t be reading this!
What did I miss? What are some of your top products and items for Moms? What makes your day easier?? Don’t keep it to yourself, share! Leave me a comment! While you’re here, give me a quick vote on Top Mommy Blogs by clicking the link below. Just one click and you cast an automatic vote for me. Thank you!
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