Items You Actually Should Buy When You Have Kids

If you are expecting a child or are new to this thing called fatherhood, you have already experienced the overwhelming task or preparing your home for a child. As a dad of four, I know what you are feeling. You have multiple people telling you about all of the gadgets and gizmos you absolutely need to buy or else you run the risk of ruining your child. You feel the anxiety of being talked about by other parents and of the cost associated with all of the products you are “supposed” to buy. Again, I get it. So thanks for trusting me enough to consider my recommendations.

I’ll briefly address some of the items you are told you need for your kids and tell you why I don’t think you do. I’ll also tell you what we did with our four children and what items I felt were game changers for us.

Stuff Is Going To Happen

I understand kids get away from you. I do not care how much you claim to keep an eye on your children, they will escape your sight, and when they do, they will probably get into something. That comes with the territory. You cannot avoid it. Plain and simple. So please do not feel bad or like a disgrace when your child takes a tumble or gets into something.

Our firstborn came walking into the living room once with a knife he took out of the dishwasher. It was horrifying and could have been a huge issue but nothing happened. Our second child walked out through the garage one day while I was working outside. She went to the front of the house to swing on our swing. Again, there was a moment of fear but all was well. Stuff is going to happen, no matter what you do.

What You DO NOT Need

Let’s start with the wipe warmer. You do not need it. Your baby will be fine with a wipe, as it comes. Smile, make faces, and be silly when you change their diaper and the chill of the wipe will not bother them.

The Diaper Genie

We actually used one of these for the first child. It was convenient until it was full. We had to keep scissors close by to cut the bag and that is when I got a good whiff of all of the stank that had been stored in there. We made the decision to stop buying replacement bags and to start using the kitchen or garage trashcan. After we made the change, we never regretted it.

Safety Covers

We saw no benefit in the safety items including: corner cushions, door knob covers, outlet covers, toilet lid locks, and cabinet locks.

You can cover the corner edges of tables if you want because I believe it is better to be safe than sorry, but we did not need them. The truth is your kids are going to fall down and they are going to get hurt. The corner cushions cover one thing that can hurt your child. Again, better safe than sorry but we did not use them and we were fine.

The door knob covers are for when your kids get a little older obviously but they are such an inconvenience. We used them for a short time until I was tired of having to open doors with my thumb and middle finger. I honestly, do not even know what we were keeping our kids from. Some parents keep kids locked in rooms but we did not do that. At one point we had one on the pantry door but then we just designed an approve snack shelf for the kids that they could reach. Problem solved.

Outlet covers were an inconvenience. When it came time to vacuum the house, they were a pain. One of our four kids messed with an outlet once. We corrected in the moment and they never repeated the offense. I got rid of them. At one point I just changed out the outlets to the tamper proof style. I am handy and have lot of experience so hire someone to do this if you want. You can check out the tamper proof outlets by clicking HERE. https://amzn.to/46vEax5

I was never on board with the toilet lid lock. I could not imagine needing to use the restroom and that lock getting jammed, or waking up at night, functioning on autopilot, and peeing all over the place. Proceed with caution.

Two of our kids messed with the lower cabinets in our kitchen. One child just opened the door to look and the other actually pulled pots and pans out. Personally, we view kids playing with pots and pans as educational. This is a way they experience weight, light, and sounds. We were in favor of our kids doing this so we did not want to prevent it.

What You Actually Need

A Reliable Safety Lock

The safety flip lock has been something we have used in every home. It secures your home from intruders and it also keeps your children inside (unless of course they walk out through the garage while you are working outside). You just screw these into the frame of exterior doors, or interior attic doors if you have those, and you are good. All you have to do is make sure you screw it in high enough so that it takes a while for your kids to reach it. Safety is a big deal and these little things help. https://amzn.to/46DnDaq

Night Lights

I am convinced that children have night vision until about the age of 3 or 4. I cannot tell you how many times my children have navigated the darkness and stairs like trained assassins to get to our bedroom or into the kitchen for a snack. Regardless of my conspiracy, you should plan on kids getting out of bed during the night or you needing to get to their rooms at night. So you need subtle night lights to prevent damage to toes. 

You need to get outlet covers that have night lights built in. This does not require an electrician, just a screw driver (flathead of course). Plus the benefit here is you still have all of your plugs available. One of the best things I have purchased as a dad. Get some here: https://amzn.to/45d86Mh

No Startling Slams

Yes, I am talking about the toilet seat. Children push it just enough so that it has the momentum to close and then “BAM!” and now you need to go to the restroom.

You need to get soft close toilet seats for every toilet in your home. This is for your sanity and your pants. Check them out: https://amzn.to/4mu9l0Q

Bonus recommendation — When it comes time to potty train, eliminate the need to worry about your kid falling into the toilet by grabbing one of these seats: https://amzn.to/41hqBy0

You Shall Not Fall

If you have a baby that takes a pacifier, there comes a day they learn how to spit them out. It becomes a game and they get really good at it. When game day approaches be prepared by strapping up the binky with one of these: https://amzn.to/44YGE6e

Daily Devotionals

You’re a Christian dad, you have to have a good devotional for your kids. There are two that I recommend. Tiny Truths is good for children of any age: https://amzn.to/47aAam3

This devotional by New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright, is one that will likely teach you a thing or two, but I recommend it for kids around the age of 8. Check out God’s Big Picture Bible Storybook: https://amzn.to/3H5EPeD

The Honorable Mention

This is not necessary but it is a luxury that I wish we had from the beginning. The Nectar bed. 

Prior to baby number 4, we purchased Nectar bed (two Twin XL’s to form a King size bed). This made feeding the baby at night way more comfortable and convenient. Plus if you have a TV in your room, no more cricks in your neck because your pillow won’t properly support your head.

Again, you can survive without it but I wish we had done this sooner. Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3UKKTfy

Pro tip: We purchased the adjustable bases from Facebook Marketplace and saved about $1,000. However, I do recommend you buy new mattresses straight from Nectar but do not get their sheets. Get these instead: https://amzn.to/3GT9eNe

You Need What You Need

Listen, these things were great for me and my family, and while I believe they can benefit you, you need to evaluate your needs. If you are preparing to have your first kid, do it the way you feel you need to. When baby number 2 comes around, my recommendations will make more sense.

More important than anything, congrats on fatherhood. You are blessed to be a dad! Never forget that. But also remember that you can purchase a few things that make life a little simpler.

Anthony