One day last week it was raining.  One of those days, where the playground is too soggy, and the kids are bouncing off the walls.  One of those days, that defines why being a mom is the world’s toughest job.  For their sanity and mine, I packed them in the car, drove to one of the local inflatables play places, happily forked over the entrance price, and let them jump off all that energy.  

As I refereed their play, I started thinking about what my mom would have done on a day like today.  Honestly, I have no idea.  There were no inflatables places.  There wasn’t Nick Jr., either.  Heck, the McDonald’s Happy Meal didn’t even debut until I was in elementary school.  

Yes, some things are definitely harder for moms today.  We can no longer say “go outside and play all day, I’ll call you for dinner.”  With 200 channels on TV, we have to monitor everything our kids watch.  Even when the TV is off, we have to check what they are seeing online.  Then, there is the entire scheduling nightmare created by infinite extracurricular activities that our moms didn’t need to juggle.

For all the additional challenges of being a parent today, the world of consumer marketing has provided some marvelous inventions to make parenting just a little bit simpler. In honor of the millions of inventions to help out moms, here is a list of a few favorites.  

Disposable Diapers:  I know they aren’t good for the environment, but I am so glad I don’t have to use (and ultimately wash) cloth diapers.

Indoor Playgrounds:  It can turn a rainy day frown upside down.  From restaurants to the mall, indoor playgrounds are everywhere these days.  

Spill-Proof Cups:  There are already an uncountable number of spills in my life.  I can’t imagine life without spill proof cups.  

Baby Monitors:  These are great to keep an ear (or an eye with the video type) on babies all the time.  Even better, if I hide it well, I can use it to listen in when my girls are teenagers.  I’m only half kidding on the last part.

Portable DVD Players:  It is the first thing I pack for every trip.  It is more important than underwear or a toothbrush.  

TIVO:  As my neighbor says, TIVO is the world’s cheapest babysitter.  I have age appropriate shows available around the clock.  It is the best monthly fee I pay.

Internet:  Although it is one of the things of which to be wary for little eyes; the internet is a godsend for parents.  With a click of the mouse, I can answer almost every parenting question, from tantrums to tonsillitis.  If only the Internet could cook and do laundry.

My list could continue for pages and pages, but you get the point.  There are some great items that make life with kids a little bit easier.  Thanks to all the folks that invented them. I sure do appreciate it.  For all the moms who came before me, I truly don’t know who you did it.  

Gigi appears every Friday on TriangleMom2Mom. To read more about Gigi, go to her blog Stroller Lane.