I have noticed an interesting voyeuristic trend among mum bloggers recently. I've seen a number of blog posts and videos where mums reveal the contents of their hand bags and changing bags.
This is a dreadful thing to admit, but I find these blog posts and videos compelling! It's just so fascinating to see what other people carry around with them.
Inspired by this, I thought I'd give it a go myself. Only thing is, I don't use a handbag and my kids are too old for me to use a changing bag.
The one thing a stay at home dad like me does have? Pockets!
The other day, after a long day of parenting, I set up my video camera and recorded myself as I emptied out my pockets and revealed to the world what junk was in them. I found a piece of broken tambourine, loose change and a hair band.
For the amusement value, I posted my efforts on Facebook. A few other dads I know watched the video and had a go themselves.
It was, frankly, a fascinating exercise. It seems that we all excel at carrying old receipts around with us. It also seems that I'm in the minority for not carrying around baby wipes with me.
Some of these videos are well worth watching. Check out Dave who writes The Dadventurer blog. In his video he reveals that he has some of the largest pockets in the world and never leaves the house without tasteful socks about his person.
The wonderful Daren Coleshill, who writes the Love All Dads blog, does carry a bag with him. Within his tasteful red rucksack is a random toy and several pair's of child's gloves, not to mention a small tripod reflecting his love of photography.
Simon Ragoonanan, the man who brings up the Man Vs Pink blog also put a video together. This man puts all fathers to shame. His bag turns out to be Tardis like and contains everything from a bottle of wine and a newspaper for his own entertainment to spare underwear for his kid and Star Wars branded plasters. I mean who knew such plasters even existed??
As for Tom Briggs of the Diary of the Dad blog, well he is in a league of his own. The dad of three has amassed an amazing collection of toys in his pockets, not to mention a bus ticket and a wallet that, for reasons best explained by Tom, contained his house keys instead of money!
That's what us dads carry with us. I don't think we travel any lighter than mums, although we possibly take less make up with us when we go out.
Whether you are a mum, dad, male or female, what do you carry with you? What will you not leave the house without? Please leave a comment below. I'd love to know your thoughts.