10 Things I Bought as a Mum That Were Actually Worth the Money
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After becoming a mum, I quickly realised the best purchases weren't necessarily the ones that entertained my kids the longest or looked the cutest online.
They were the things that quietly removed tiny stresses from our everyday life.
The things that made cleaning up after meals quicker, helped me prepare food ahead of time, encouraged independence or made our daily routines feel a little smoother.
Because motherhood is already full of little decisions and repeated tasks. Anything that makes those everyday moments easier is something I appreciate.
These are the purchases I would genuinely buy again because they've made motherhood easier in small but meaningful ways.
If there is one thing that completely changed cleaning with toddlers, it's this.
Before getting our Shark Hydrovac, I was constantly getting down on my hands and knees wiping food off the floor after meals.
Anyone with toddlers knows the floor isn't just dirty at the end of the week. It's dirty multiple times a day.
Now I can quickly go over the mess and it's done. It vacuums and washes at the same time, which means I'm not doing two separate jobs.
I also love that it uses a cleaning solution because the house actually smells fresh afterwards.
Why it's worth it:
It turned a job I avoided into something I can quickly do a few times a week.
This is easily one of my most used kitchen appliances.
I use my Instant Pot for almost everything unless it's something like mince or steak that needs a different cooking method.
For me, it's the perfect middle ground between cooking on the stove and using a slow cooker.
I love the idea of a slow cooker, but I don't always have dinner organised eight hours before we need to eat.
With the Instant Pot, I can put everything in and have a meal ready in around 30 minutes while still getting that slow cooked, tender result.
Curries, shredded chicken, soups, sauces and meal prep are so much easier because I don't need to stand there stirring or checking on it.
Why it's worth it:
It makes home cooked meals realistic during busy seasons of motherhood.
The Yoto Player has been one of my favourite alternatives to screen time.
My kids use it all the time and love being able to choose what they want to listen to.
Some of our favourites are The Wiggles and Super Simple Songs.
One thing I really love is that they're still actively involved. They choose the card, put it in themselves and decide what they want.
They're practising independence and fine motor skills while still being able to play with toys, build, draw or move around.
They're not stuck staring at a screen.
Why it's worth it:
It gives them independence and entertainment without needing me to constantly choose or control what they're doing.
This is such a simple one, but it has made a big difference.
When I get home with the groceries, I portion snacks straight away into small containers.
Things like:
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dried fruit
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freeze dried fruit
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crackers
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rice cakes
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yoghurt drops
They're mostly for home, but it means snacks are ready when we need them.
Instead of opening packets multiple times a day or trying to quickly find something while everyone is hungry, I can just grab a container.
Why it's worth it:
A few minutes of preparation saves me making the same decision over and over again.
I use these constantly.
I meal prep my breakfasts, work lunches and anything I want ready ahead of time.
Most weeks I'll prep around five to seven days worth and freeze some.
The biggest reason I love glass containers is that they can go straight into the oven.
I can cook something like my pancake bakes directly in the container, put the lid on and it's already ready to store.
Less dishes. Less transferring food around. Less effort.
Exactly what I need.
Why it's worth it:
They make meal prepping actually sustainable.
This has been one of my favourite purchases for including my kids in everyday life.
Sometimes they genuinely help.
Sometimes they just stand there and watch me.
Sometimes "helping" takes twice as long.
But that's not really the point.
They feel involved and connected, especially during those times of day where they just want to be close.
They can pour ingredients, mix things or simply watch what's happening instead of asking to be picked up while I'm trying to cook.
Why it's worth it:
It turns everyday tasks into opportunities for connection.
These were especially helpful during the baby stage, but I still use them now.
I use them to freeze things like:
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pasta sauces
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pureed pumpkin and sweet potato
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porridge portions
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mini meals
On busy nights, having something already prepared makes such a difference.
Sometimes dinner is as simple as heating a frozen sauce, cooking pasta and mixing it together.
Why it's worth it:
A little bit of preparation makes future busy days so much easier.
Do my kids actually clean?
Not really.
But they absolutely think they do.
They love copying what I'm doing and their cleaning set is always available for them to play with.
Sometimes they'll follow me around and "help" while I clean.
Toddlers naturally want to be involved in our world, and I love giving them little ways to participate.
Why it's worth it:
It encourages independence and lets them feel included in everyday routines.
9. Little Nation Trike
We started using our trike around 18 months to two years old and it's been great for walks.
I still love a pram in places like shopping centres, but the trike is different.
It gives kids that feeling of independence and slowly teaches skills they'll use when learning to ride a bike.
They're not just sitting there being pushed around. They're learning how to steer, balance and move.
Why it's worth it:
It makes getting outside easier while encouraging independence.
This is one of those things I didn't realise I would use as much as I do.
It's basically extra hands.
I use it for:
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bringing groceries inside
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carrying bags
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taking toys outside
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backyard snacks
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park trips
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days out
Sometimes I put the kids and the shopping in together and get everything inside in one trip.
Prams are amazing and definitely have their place, but sometimes you just need more space.
Why it's worth it:
It makes carrying everything that comes with kids so much easier.
Final Thoughts
The biggest thing I've learned since becoming a mum is that more stuff isn't always the answer.
But the right things can genuinely make a difference.
The purchases I appreciate most aren't the ones that promised to completely change motherhood.
They're the ones that quietly made our everyday routines a little easier.
Less time cleaning.
Less time preparing.
Less time making the same decisions.
More time actually enjoying my kids.
And those are the things I'd happily buy again.