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There are approximately one million things marketed to moms as something we need. And after two years of motherhood, I’ve learned that some things are absolutely worth it…and some things are just really good at following me around the internet until I finally buy them.

But then there are the things we actually use. The things that live in my car, get thrown into my bag, come to the pool, get packed for vacation, or make an ordinary Tuesday of running errands with a toddler just a little bit easier.

So, in the spirit of Curated by Kendra, these are a few of the things making motherhood easier around here lately, the things I genuinely reach for over and over again.

The Britax One4Life Car Seat

Let’s start with the MVP lately: our Britax car seat.

One of my favorite things to do is run around with my sister and her daughter, and now that the girls are getting older, it’s so much fun being able to pile into one car together and go. The problem? Two toddlers also means two car seats, and moving car seats between vehicles can turn a simple outing into an entire production.

The ClickTight installation on the Britax has made this so much easier.

Being able to quickly and confidently install my little one’s seat in another vehicle means my sister and I can actually jump into each other’s cars so the cousins can ride together without it feeling like we’re undertaking a major engineering project first.

It’s one of those features I didn’t fully appreciate until I started using it in real life. A car seat obviously has a much bigger job than making my life convenient, but when something I use every single day can give me both peace of mind and make motherhood a little easier? That’s a win.

Thinkbaby Sunscreen

If you know me, you know I will research an ingredient list into the ground, and sunscreen is definitely no exception.

We just got back from the beach, we love a pool day, and my girl has very fair skin, so good sun protection is non-negotiable for us. Thinkbaby has become our go-to.

I love that it’s a mineral sunscreen with ingredients I’m comfortable using on her, but most importantly, it actually works for our family. Between beach days, pool days, and just being outside all summer, this is one of those things I always want within reach.

Babiators Sunglasses + Her Sun Hat

The toddler sun-protection trifecta around here: sunscreen, a sun hat, and Babiators.

Her Babiators are made for toddlers, which means they’re much better suited for the bending, dropping, tossing and general chaos that comes with a two-year-old wearing sunglasses.

Add her sun hat and I feel much better about Summer outings, especially at the beach or pool when there isn’t always much shade.

And, admittedly, a toddler in sunglasses and a sun hat is also just ridiculously cute.

The Bogg Bag + My Favorite Amazon Towels

I was gifted my Bogg Bag by my coworkers as a farewell gift on my last day before becoming a SAHM. And let me tell you, I understand the Bogg Bag hype.

Pool towels? In.

Sunscreen? In.

Snacks? Obviously.

Extra clothes, swim diapers, water bottles, toys, and the approximately 17 miscellaneous objects a toddler hands me and expects me to carry? Throw them in.

One thing that’s made packing it even easier is swapping bulky traditional beach towels for thin, absorbent towels I found on Amazon. They’re affordable, they dry quickly, and they take up so much less space. When you’re trying to fit everything a toddler could possibly need for a pool or beach day into one bag, every inch counts.

I especially love the Bogg Bag for pool and beach days because it’s easy to wipe down and I don’t have to be precious about it. This is very much a throw everything in and go season of life, and the Bogg Bag understands the assignment.

Clear Hard-Shell Packing Cases

Speaking of containing the chaos: clear hard-shell cases.

I use these to separate all the little things that would otherwise disappear into the bottom of a giant bag. Sunscreen in one, snacks in another, toiletries, medicine, crayons, little toddler necessities, whatever we’re packing for that particular day or trip.

Being able to actually SEE what’s inside without opening six different bags is such a small thing, but somehow makes a huge difference.

These were especially useful for our beach trip, but I’ve found myself using them for everyday outings too.

Ellie’s Amazon Croc-Style Sandals

These have been one of those inexpensive Amazon finds that we reach for constantly.

They have the easy, washable feel of a Croc-style shoe, but they Velcro on, which I love for a toddler. They’re easy to throw on when we’re running out the door, easy for pool days and outdoor play, and I don’t panic when they inevitably get wet or dirty.

Basically: toddler summer shoes that require very little thought from me. Perfect.

Elk and Friends Snack Cups

Snacks are basically a toddler mom’s currency.

I love our Elk and Friends snack cups for bringing snacks along without handing my toddler an open container and hoping for the best. They’re easy for her to use and they’re one of those everyday items that quietly make leaving the house easier.

Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! Pads

Speaking of being on the go, these deserve a spot on the list.

The Melissa & Doug Sticker WOW! pads are one of my favorite little things to throw in the car or bag when I know girlie is going to need something to do. They’re easy, portable, don’t require me to pack a million separate pieces, and actually keep her entertained.

Restaurants, traveling, running errands, anywhere you need to pull a little toddler entertainment out of your bag at exactly the right moment.

They’re also one of those rare toddler activities that don’t make me regret bringing them approximately four minutes later because I’m collecting 37 tiny pieces off the floor.

A win.

Our Matching Simple Modern Tumblers

This one is equal parts practical and adorable.

My girl and I have matching Simple Modern tumblers, and I love having something she actually wants to drink out of while I have my own giant mom-sized water nearby.

I am forever packing drinks before we leave the house, and these have become part of our everyday routine. Plus, matching with your two-year-old? I’ll take it for as long as she’ll let me.

My Yeti Coffee Tumbler

And now, something exclusively for Mom.

I finally got a Yeti tumbler for my coffee, and apparently I should have done this approximately two years ago.

Because motherhood and drinking a cup of coffee while it’s still hot don’t exactly go hand-in-hand.

Before this, I could easily reheat the same cup of coffee five times throughout the morning. I’d make it, get distracted, find it cold, microwave it, forget about it again…and repeat.

My Yeti actually keeps it hot while I do all the things that inevitably happen between pouring a cup of coffee and getting the chance to finish it.

Revolutionary? No.

Am I enjoying drinking my coffee without visiting the microwave five times before noon? Absolutely.

Our Budget-Friendly Sound Machine + Nightlight

We have a Hatch in our girl’s room and love it, but sometimes she ends up in our room!

Rather than buying another Hatch, we found a much more budget-friendly sound machine and nightlight combo to keep in our room.

And honestly? It’s exactly what we needed.

We get the sound machine and soft nightlight without spending Hatch money on a second one, and it makes our room just as cozy.

It’s a perfect example of something making motherhood easier that doesn’t need to be fancy or expensive, it just needs to solve the problem.

The Things That Earn a Spot in Our Everyday Life

I think that’s what I’ve become much more conscious of since becoming a mom: I don’t necessarily want more stuff. I want the right stuff.

I want the car seat that’s easier to move when we’re having a cousin day. The sunscreen I feel good about putting on my fair-skinned girl. The shoes I can throw on her in thirty seconds. The bag that can handle wet towels and toddler snacks. The activity I can pull out when we need a distraction. And yes, the cup that keeps my coffee hot while I’m busy keeping up with all of it.

None of these things are revolutionary. They’re just genuinely useful.

And lately, I’ve realized that’s my favorite kind of recommendation to share, the things we actually use, love, and would buy again.

So maybe this is the beginning of a new little Curated by Kendra series: the things making life easier lately.