Please tell me!

[Momo]

So as you all can read from my sig I have 3 kiddos, all young & close in age. We don't get out much ,as in myself and the 3 kids. Sometimes I feel as if I am paralyzed by the thoughts of how daunting it is to do outings. I pretty much tell myself that unless DH is game for an outing it is not gonna happen. I do occassionally go to the safeway(grocery) w/ them, only because it's less than 1/2 a mile down the street& they have race car carts that enable me to shop w/ all three sitting( not just a plus A MUST)!! I can make people go potty & change diapers before we walk out the door, and feel fairly confident that we have an hour or two before meltdown & /or potty time. Was it like this for those of you who had a few close in age? Everytime I get down on myself for not being more of an "on the go mommy" , my girlfriend Always stresses to me that I have 3 and they are so young...I don't know, somehow I imagine that others in my position get out more and have fuller lives

[rainbabies]

nope, not a full life here. we never go anywhere. we (the kids and I) stay home all day...alone. i hardly go anywhere by myself with them. i go grocery shopping by myself on dh's day off.

i feel your pain.

[PrincessFiona]

Andrew and Amanda were 16 months apart and then Alex came 2 1/2 years after Amanda....Aidan came nearly 5 years later and then Zoe 2 1/2 after that.

We have always gone on outings because I would go insane sitting in the house alone.

When we go out, I assume that we will have a meltdown, assume that we might have dirty diapers or wet pants and that my children will probably start fighting with each other about something. Armed with that knowledge, I'm not surprised or freaked out when it happens, and I nearly fall over with joy when they surprise me and it doesn't.

Pack a backpack with an extra change of clothes or two, diapers, pre-packaged snacks (goldfish/juicy juice), toys (legos, mini-magnadoodles etc) and always have it by the door so you don't have to pack each time you leave. Keep it stocked and clean, etc of course.

Just pack the kids and go....expect to change diapers, deal with wet pants and have kids that meltdown....and don't stress about it or worry about it....That kind of stuff happens...

It's worth it to get out...

kris

I've only got two, but they are 17.5 months apart. I'm kind of the opposite (acknowledging that we have only 2 hands, so catching a 3rd kid creates a whole new problem). I've always been 'on the go'. I've found it easier to have them out and about, or strapped into the car then to deal w/them at home. I've taken them (sans extra adult) to Chicago (6 hours by car from Cleveland), 2 or 3 times, down to my dad's cabin (3 hours by car), to Pittsburgh (2 hours by car from Cleveland, we'd do the roundtrip in a day) 5 or 6 times, flown to CA twice, FL, and AK (at varying ages) taken a train to Chicago (7 hours), driven into Manhattan (from Jersey), and dragged them through all sorts of malls, 'kids parks', grocery stores, etc. Oh yeah - don't forget Target. My oldest's first sentence could have been "No! No Circle! No!" I go WAY too stir crazy if left to be at home ... I have to be out.

[PrincessFiona]

Jenn, Aidan calls Target "the red dot" as in "I go to the red dot".

kris

[Flynn]

My kids are 24 months apart. Adding a third would change the work load considerably which is why I'm totally okay with our family the way it is.

With that being said, I'm an "outings" mom. I dislike "hanging out" unless we've already been out that day already. Right now at 4 and 2 they play so well at zoos, parks and other public areas it's nice for everyone.

When DD was an only child we were out the door by 9 on a slow day. We had playdates and group classes....we had so much fun at the zoo!!!!

Adding DS meant a double stroller so I could keep myself and DD active. It worked pretty well too.

Now they both are safe and even DS is pretty independent.

That's me though. I have plenty of friends who love to stay home because it's easier for them and they like it better. I've just never been one of those people.

[Momo]

Pack a backpack with an extra change of clothes or two, diapers, pre-packaged snacks (goldfish/juicy juice), toys (legos, mini-magnadoodles etc) and always have it by the door so you don't have to pack each time you leave. Keep it stocked and clean, etc of course.

Just pack the kids and go....expect to change diapers, deal with wet pants and have kids that meltdown....and don't stress about it or worry about it....That kind of stuff happens...

Kris, I do & am aware of all of this I make it a point to be aware of the locations of the public restrooms that have large handicap stalls w/ a koala changing station w/in them!

Jen this is really a biggie for me!

acknowledging that we have only 2 hands, so catching a 3rd kid creates a whole new problem

I have such a difficult time at parks, trying to keep an eye on the older 2 while watching the baby in the stroller. DS has taken off and has gotten pretty far from me in the past...It's a such a stressful thing when you have to run away from the stroller w/ the baby in it, beg DD not to move while you run several yards away trying to catch your son who thinks it's funny to see mom cashing him!!!

I know some of it has to do w/ living in a city that I do not know well. I am happy about the baby to be...but it's a little overwhelming when you don't have a sister, parent, or even a babysitter to help out...I am soooo damn tired...God willing 2nd trimester will be great and I can get us into a more happin' groove!

I have such a difficult time at parks, trying to keep an eye on the older 2 while watching the baby in the stroller. DS has taken off and has gotten pretty far from me in the past...It's a such a stressful thing when you have to run away from the stroller w/ the baby in it, beg DD not to move while you run several yards away trying to catch your son who thinks it's funny to see mom cashing him!!!

Perhaps a leash-thingie? I swear, before kids I always thought those things were hideous, but that was before being faced w/the idea of my kid wandering off. It's the kind of thing I bet you'd only have to use once w/an older kid. They'd hate it - and would probably remember that if they don't stay by mommy, they MUST wear it for their own safety.

I didn't have to use one, but I did have to grab ears one or two times when we were in parking lots or crossing a street. Both of mine liked the power struggle of "I'm not giving you my hand". I gave them a choice, their hand or their ear. Mommy MUST be able to hold onto them when in a parking lot, and they can decide how.

I probably sound like a horrible shrew -- but w/my kids so close together, sometimes you've got to cut the crap!

[Momo]

OMG Jen, I actually deleted the part of how I own a harness/leash thingy from my post! I bought it for when & if we travel over seas. I have heard horror stories about how the pedophiles in countries w/darker populations (like DH's homeland) covet fair skinned & fair haired children!!!

Maybe this is the time to try it out. If DS thinks it so darn funny to watch mommy chase him, he needs to learn there is nothing funny about it. The whole 'distance from mommy' thing has improved as my kids have started to learn more about 'stranger-danger'.

This morning Quinn even told dh "Don't talk to any strangers!" as dh was heading out the door.

People are going to judge ... that's what people do. The important thing is that you know your kids are safe. The more pregnant you get, it won't get ANY easier to deal with a wandering kid!

[Michele]

I use leashes for my dogs and always assumed I'd use one for my kids....I never even thought it'd be considered weird!

Poor Daegan! He's going to learn to sit, stay and come when called!

[Momo]

I use leashes for my dogs and always assumed I'd use one for my kids....I never even thought it'd be considered weird!

Poor Daegan! He's going to learn to sit, stay and come when called!

LOL!! You crack me up Michele

[ellie]

I'll echo what Jenn said -- maybe it is the time to try the leash/harness thingamajigy. When she was 2, DD did the same thing with me and thought it was so much fun to run away and have me chase her in the store. Finally I told her that the next time I'd help her to be safe, and showed her the harness. I only had to use it once....she hated it and afterwards much preferred staying with mommy without the leash. Oooh, just writing it sounds horrible. Who's the shrew now? :!

But sometimes it's the seemingly drastic measures that work.

[samssugarmomma]

I know that I only have 1 kiddo - but - I totally support the harness suggestion! DD doesn't mind hers - but we've been using is since she was 15 months old.

I have been totally prepared for and expected rude comments when we use it, but we've always received nice comments. Our harness is a "monkey" that looks over her back and I guess people are so surprised to see the monkey that they don't think of anything rude to say. Here is what ours looks like - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=4532497.

They make a puppy one too.

I know that I only have 1 kiddo - but - I totally support the harness suggestion! DD doesn't mind hers - but we've been using is since she was 15 months old.

I have been totally prepared for and expected rude comments when we use it, but we've always received nice comments. Our harness is a "monkey" that looks over her back and I guess people are so surprised to see the monkey that they don't think of anything rude to say. Here is what ours looks like - http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product. ... id=4532497.

They make a puppy one too.

I honesly can't imagine anyone who has ever had a toddler objecting to one of those. It's so scary when they take off running!