31 Things Millennial Moms Couldn't Live Without

When I was a kid, I always looked up to my mom. Especially after I could view her parenting as an “outsider” once my baby brother came along. She stashed teething rings in our freezer and dressed us up in super-fancy coordinated clothes (remember the silk sailor ensembles, wide-legged rompers, and puffed sleeves of our youth?). My mom was natural, calm, engaging, and glamourous. But I’ll let you in on a little secret: She is more than a little jealous of my own life as a mom.

Because here’s the thing: Millennial moms — you know, those of us who are ages 18 to 34 — have access to more information than my mom’s generation ever did. We don’t have to wait for new issues of our favorite magazines to come out to learn about the latest trends in health, fashion, education, and beyond; this information is at our fingertips. Through social media, we can also connect and exchange ideas about, well, everything, based on the information that swirls around us. And we have the unlimited ability to share our experiences, as well as learn from the experiences of other moms.

Thank to our incredible access to information (and to each other), we’re amazingly well informed as moms. We’re involved in our children’s lives, but without the extremes of our older Generation X sisters (with helicopter moms on one end of the spectrum and free-range moms on the other.) To my mom’s point, we also have some serious advantages over the moms of the Baby Boomer generation. Yes, we are a well-connected, tech-savvy generation…and we just could not live without these 31 things.

More Must-Haves for Moms:

31 Things Millennial Moms Couldn't Live Without

Ironic Message Tees

"Hug Life," "I Woke Up Like This," "We Don't Sleep"? We like to say it in a tee shirt, and we always make sure to snap a selfie.

Photo: Born to be a Bride
Memes About Parenting

We love when these turn up in our social media feeds -- especially when they have something to do with never-ending housework, potty training, and so on.

Photo: some ecards
Coffee

Until it's time for wine.

Photo: Getty
Pinterest Inspiration

Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. Always we covet.

Photo: Jenny Gerson/Pinterest
Instagram Kids' Fashion

We might not want to pony up the cash to splurge on fancy items our kids will wear once, but they sure are cute to browse. On our way to the Gap Kids sale bin.

Photo: loco_forcoco/Instagram
Facebook Mom Groups

Especially if the group's name contains the word "coffee," "wine," or "fitness" along with the obligatory, "Mama." Who knew venting and sharing pictures of our kiddos with strangers could feel so natural?

Photo: Getty
Organic Everything

That's right, from baby food and clothing to sunscreen and yes, even wine, we like to go organic. Just don't tell anyone if you see us sneaking a bag of Skittles while our littles are napping or at school.

Photo: Picky Eater Blog
Target

Pretty much everything at Target.

Photo: Getty
The Ability to Speak in Hashtags

And Emojis. #sotired #insertsleepingemojihere

Photo: Getty
Beauty Hacks

Coconut oil, waterproof eyeliner, wrinkle-smoothing foundation, and any other miracle cosmetic that makes us look alive in 10 seconds flat.

Photo: Mattieologie
Mommy-and-Me Clothing

The Laura Ashley days of our own youth are long gone, but mommy-and-mini can get their fashion game on in coordinated solids, textures, stripes, LBDs, and yes, message tees.

Photo: Sandy a la mode
Google

The ability to Google teething symptoms, poop colors, kindergarten anxiety, puberty prep, and so much more.

Photo: Google
Babywearing

Wraps, carriers, slings, and so on. The more you own, the more mommy-clout you have. But for some reason we all still own strollers.

Photo: Fresh Mommy Blog
IPads

Even if we never get to used to them, the kids do. Which provides at least a 20-minute break for Mama.

Photo: Getty
Baby Names That Stand Out

Hipster, hardcore, super-creative, or old school baby names -- whatever sets our babies apart. Feel free to add Cyrus, Axel, Audriella, and Mabel to your lists.

Photo: Getty
Chic New Neutrals

Gray and white for surprise-gender babies-to-be. (We had enough pale yellow and green as tots in the '80s, thank you).

Photo: bluegrass + boxwood
Mom Blogs

Every day.

Photo: Getty
Fashion-Forward, Flattering Clothes

Stylish one-pieces, high-waisted denim, loose tunics, and all the other trendy pieces that make life after baby look chic.

Photo: Cupcakes & Cashmere
Internet Shopping

Two words: Amazon Prime.

Photo: Getty
Pediatricians Who Text & E-Mail

They're covetable, but not impossible to find. Just don't share those digits once you have them.

Photo: Getty
Netflix!

Anyone up for an OINTB marathon?

Photo: Getty
Etsy

Etsy to shop for just about every gift, for every occasion -- or for pimping out our own handmade stuff.

Photo: Etsy
Timeout for Exercise

Yoga, Pilates, spin class, or any kind of workout that makes us feel great (and gives us at least an hour's break). Namaste.

Photo: Getty
Pretty and Functional Accessories

Including hairties that double as jewelry.

Photo: Birchbox
Leggings

Mostly black with the random funky pair mixed in, just in case.

Photo: Indianapolis City Moms Blog
Functional Kitchen Extras

Keurig, Vitamix, SodaStream, instant bottle makers, and any other tabletop appliances that make home feel like a restaurant.

Photo: Getty
The Alarm Setting on Our SmartPhones

Okay and while we're at it, everything about our SmartPhones. From the ability to text our mom friends to apps for literally everything.

Photo: Getty
Pressing Pause for Real Life

Technology-free nights or weekends to reconnect and play.

Photo: Getty
Kiddo Selfies (#lovemylittles)

Every moment is an opportunity to turn that lens around and snap a quick one. From serious, to goofy, to just plain sweet, mother-and-child selfies warm our hearts and mark our memories.

Photo: @MommyMyWay/Instagram
Digital Photo Printing

Who has time to drive to the drugstore anymore, anyway?

Photo: Getty
Our Kids

Without these sweet, devilish, adorable little messy creatures, we wouldn't be moms. And despite the hard stuff, we love it so much.

Photo: Melissa Angert/Instagram