From Must-Have to Never-Again

"Mum" Purchases, the best and the worst

So here’s the thing: I’m not usually one to dish out these lists, but after enough questionable decisions and sheer exhaustion, I’ve gathered my thoughts. And by thoughts, I mean a mixture of regret, survival tactics, and mild humour. Take this list with a pinch of salt (or a whole shaker, depending on your mood).

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The Worst:

A Big, Bulky Buggy

C-sections and heavy strollers do not mix. Seriously, I could’ve joined a gym with the amount of effort it took to get this beast into the car. And let’s not even talk about the bassinet, which my son never used, because, surprise! He preferred to be attached to me at all times like a koala. So I ended up with this monstrosity of a buggy that had me looking like I was about to join a stunt double training camp every time I folded it. And, you know, there was no place to store it in the house. Great decision, Laura.

Baby Wipe Warmer

Do I even need to explain? Hormones and exhaustion led me to believe this was an essential. It wasn’t. I didn’t even take it out of the box. The universe (and my rational brain) intervened and saved me from myself. Bye, wipe warmer. Bye forever.

Sterilisers

Oh, look at me, trying to be fancy and organised with a huge steriliser that took up half the kitchen. What I really needed was something small and practical, like a microwave steriliser that doesn’t take over your entire life.

Baby Shoes

Sweet, naive Laura thought baby shoes were a thing. My child barely kept socks on, let alone any tiny leather loafers that I paid far too much for. But hey, they were cute. That’s about it.

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The Best:

Slip-On Shoes

Look, I get it. You’re laughing. But have you tried untangling your shoe laces with a baby on your hip who would rather not be put down? Exactly. Slip-on shoes have saved me. My ultimate go-to? Birkenstocks. I’m not saying they’re perfect, but they’re pretty close when it comes to comfort and ease of use. And in winter? GANNI rubber boots, because why not? I’m investing in shoes I wear every damn day.

AirPods

I thought I was fine without these during my first baby. Then came my second. My sanity needed podcasts. Podcasts are my saviours. My AirPods are basically my lifeline. No exaggeration. They’re like the world’s smallest, least obvious escape hatch when you're stuck in a house with a kid who just learned to scream for 45 minutes straight. Worth every penny.

Leggings

I know. It’s obvious. But hear me out. It’s not just about comfort. These children are quick. They’re sweaty and exhausting. Jeans? Not. Happening. Let those bad boys hibernate, and embrace leggings. I do like Varley’s FreeSoft Collection (when I’m feeling flush, which is rare), but let’s be honest, Amazon leggings have become my best friend.

Elemis Face Balm

This is where I pretend I have my life together. Washing my face with something that smells nice? Bliss. Even if my “glamorous” life consists of removing mascara and toddler snot from my face in the same motion. But honestly, it removes makeup without the extra step of makeup remover. Small wins, people. Small wins.

The Grape Cutter / Apple Corer

Yes, I know you’re rolling your eyes, but just hear me out. These things were bought in a moment of intense parenting anxiety. Have you ever feared your kid might choke on a grape that you forgot to slice properly? Well, these gadgets saved me from that panic. So yeah, they’re on the list. You're welcome.

The Baby Zen Stroller

Okay, I did not want this. My husband bought it without consulting me. I was convinced it was a waste of money. Fast forward to now - this thing has traveled more miles than my luggage. And you know what? I’m eating my words. It’s still going strong.

Tony Box

I wasn’t sold on this either. I mean, a little speaker that plays music when you put character figures on top? But my son? He loves it. It’s his bedtime go-to, and it helps me get both kids to sleep without needing a third arm. If you’re in the “will this actually work?” phase, it does.

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So, there you have it. The good, the bad, and the ridiculous mum purchases. Now tell me, what’s the best thing you bought that you thought you’d regret? Or the most ridiculous item you fell for? Share, so we can all laugh together.

P.S. I’m legally obligated to let you know that some links are affiliate links, which means I might get a teeny tiny percentage (like, 1p, don’t get too excited) if you click on the links. Slowly but surely, I’ll build my 1p empire. Time to buy more Birkenstocks.