milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 9:36:15 GMT -6
So, tomorrow I'm taking both kids to a children's museum. This is the first time I've taken them anywhere without another adult. I know the people do this all the time but I'm anxious about it. Any tips or tricks to make an outing go more smoothly? I'll wear M for sure.
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mapleme
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Post by mapleme on Jun 22, 2017 9:54:31 GMT -6
Can you feed M in the carrier? If so, you're pretty golden. You can walk around following your big one while feeding/napping/etc your little one.
I try to be upfront with M with what I can and cannot do. We have a local children's museum that has a 0-6 play area with the baby crawling area right up front. I tell M that I have to stay there with C, and she can go anywhere inside the play area, but if she goes outside of the play area (and I clearly point out where that is), that it's not ok and we'll have to leave because she's not being safe. I tells her that she can play for a long time and I'll watch her, but I won't be able to do much with her. It was fantastic and she was way more bold than she used to be (but some of that might just be age).
You might want to bring your stroller just for your stuff, but that depends on where your museum lets you bring your stroller. A backpack with a front-worn baby works really well too.
Pack super easy food that require little interaction on your part (don't try to wait in line to buy food with both kids in tow). I just discovered these disposable placemat things that stick to the table for eating lunch. I haven't tried them myself, but I saw another parent (2 parents and 6 kids!) using them when I was last out solo with C and M. They appeared to have their act together and here I was feeding C Cheerios out of my hand while trying to keep M's special popcorn treat far away from C but off the floor. I bought a pack to bring on our upcoming Canada trip.
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stringy
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Post by stringy on Jun 22, 2017 10:15:33 GMT -6
If you can bring a stroller I recommend it for all the crap, yes. Also b/c then you have a place to put the baby down if she wants out of the carrier.
All the snacks.
Low expectations. Go early when it first opens.
Maybe something for DS to do if you suddenly need to retreat to a quiet corner to feed the baby? (is she in the nurse anywhere or distracted stage?). Like a special snack, phone game, something to entice him if suddenly you need to go somewhere if she has a meltdown.
Warmer things in case the AC is cold.
Otherwise, you'll survive. Its a children's museum. Screaming kids happen all the time.
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Post by beachbum22 on Jun 22, 2017 10:19:10 GMT -6
I have nothing constructive to add because I rarely leave the house with just my one child.
However I wanted to chime in on the placemats - don't get the silicone reusable kind.
One time my baby figured out she could peel the placemat up from the corner edge, and rip it off the table, and food went flying all over the restaurant. That was a fail.
The disposable kind might be better at sticking and staying put though.
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sarenu
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2017 10:51:23 GMT -6
I recommend the stroller as well. If nothing else, you can use it to carry things, keep the toddler contained when going from car to museum and museum to car, and if the toddler gets tired it will be a life saver to get back to the car. I also find it helpful when changing diapers with an infant. A lot of rest rooms don't have much space, so I would change the diaper, place C in the stroller, wash my hands, and then exit. Once I was out of the bathroom I usually put him back in the carrier.
Snacks are a must (you and the toddler).
Can you buy your tickets online? If you're going alone and know that the line to buy tickets will be long, I'd do it online before leaving.
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mapleme
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Post by mapleme on Jun 22, 2017 11:08:34 GMT -6
I have nothing constructive to add because I rarely leave the house with just my one child. However I wanted to chime in on the placemats - don't get the silicone reusable kind. One time my baby figured out she could peel the placemat up from the corner edge, and rip it off the table, and food went flying all over the restaurant. That was a fail. The disposable kind might be better at sticking and staying put though. Yeah, we have a failure of a silicone mat too. It actually worked for a little while with M before she figured it out, but it was such a PITA to bring to restaurants and clean enough to bring home. The disposable ones could probably be figured out by kids, but the result wouldn't be as disastrous, since they aren't actually containing food. But I can see using it for C right now, to place a few cheerios or whatever on and give her a clean surface that I don't have to hold onto (like a plate). And it would be nice for M who is old enough to not rip off the mat, but still gets her food everywhere and then still wants to eat it. |
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Post by pbandj714 on Jun 22, 2017 11:19:30 GMT -6
I'd also recommend the stroller if for nothing other than to contain the toddler while you change the baby or use the restroom yourself. Bathrooms are the biggest thing I worry about since I need enough room to get my double stroller in there. It's a pain. I'm always so happy when a family restroom is available.
Plenty of easy snacks.
You'll be fine!
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Post by ovenrack on Jun 22, 2017 11:25:25 GMT -6
Bribery.
Close your eyes.
Dress children in protective clothing.
Have your favorite song queued in the car.
Wear sweat bands.
Empty all the propane tanks in the house.
Wear close toed shoes.
Most importantly, eat a protein filled snack.
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 11:55:31 GMT -6
Bribery. Close your eyes. Dress children in protective clothing. Have your favorite song queued in the car. Wear sweat bands. Empty all the propane tanks in the house. Wear close toed shoes. Most importantly, eat a protein filled snack. Hahahahahaha thank you for always making me laugh. Those are all legit suggestions though. |
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stringy
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Post by stringy on Jun 22, 2017 11:59:02 GMT -6
especially the propane tanks and sweat bands.
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 11:59:12 GMT -6
I am combing through the website now. The more I know in advance the better. I'm actually meeting another mom there who has two kids the same age as mine, I haven't actually met her or her kids yet because my husband "set us up", it's one of his patients that liked thr sound of me I guess and wanted to be my friend. Lol. It sounds weird typed out but I'm actually excited about it. She has lived here forever and has a lot of local friends, I'm looking forward to expanding my social circle beyond my mailman and one set of neighbors.
But that's stressful too, meeting a potential friend/acquaintance for the first time!
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 12:00:19 GMT -6
especially the propane tanks and sweat bands. Well I don't have any propane tanks so I can skip that one. I've been super sweaty lately so the sweat bands might be useful... |
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stringy
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Post by stringy on Jun 22, 2017 12:14:13 GMT -6
especially the propane tanks and sweat bands. Well I don't have any propane tanks so I can skip that one. I've been super sweaty lately so the sweat bands might be useful... please include selfie when it happens. Fanny packs are also useful. |
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 12:17:28 GMT -6
Well I don't have any propane tanks so I can skip that one. I've been super sweaty lately so the sweat bands might be useful... please include selfie when it happens. Fanny packs are also useful. I'm sure this lady would go running in the other direction if I showed up wearing sweat bands. What a first impression. I could fit a fanny pack over the Tula waistband, that's actually a good idea. Not that I own one, but for future reference. |
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sak
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Post by sak on Jun 22, 2017 12:41:52 GMT -6
The anticipation of all that could happen is usually worse. With the exception of food and diapers, I personally think less is more. I hate hauling crap around. If you're really desperate you can buy it or, quite honestly, just leave.
If it's a super crowded place my kids are unfamiliar with, I used to sharpie my name and cell number (and for the allergic ones their allergies) on their little arms in case we got separated. Ink on a toddler...classy, I know. It works though
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Post by charlotte on Jun 22, 2017 12:56:53 GMT -6
You're going on a blind mom date!  |
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 13:40:33 GMT -6
It's a smaller museum and the website says most people stay 2 hrs on their first visit. So, I think if I feed M in the car and put fresh diapers on both of them right before we go inside I shouldn't have to take much in. M will sleep the whole time as long as I'm wearing her. J won't stop moving to eat so I'll just fill him up before we go and have stuff readily available to eat when we get back out to the car. I'll wear my running shoes. I can do this! You've all given some great suggestions.
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Post by beachbum22 on Jun 22, 2017 13:49:38 GMT -6
please include selfie when it happens. Fanny packs are also useful. I'm sure this lady would go running in the other direction if I showed up wearing sweat bands. What a first impression. I could fit a fanny pack over the Tula waistband, that's actually a good idea. Not that I own one, but for future reference. Actually I saw a post on Facebook of a lady who used a fanny pack with her carrier. She had the baby in the front, and the fanny pack underneath (it was black and matched perfectly), and she said it was great for carrying some diapers, wipes, pacifiers, and snacks. I've been considering getting a fanny pack now. As long as it matches and no one can tell, of course. |
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piccyami
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Post by piccyami on Jun 22, 2017 14:28:31 GMT -6
I have nothing constructive to add because I rarely leave the house with just my one child. However I wanted to chime in on the placemats - don't get the silicone reusable kind. One time my baby figured out she could peel the placemat up from the corner edge, and rip it off the table, and food went flying all over the restaurant. That was a fail. The disposable kind might be better at sticking and staying put though. Yeah, we have a failure of a silicone mat too. It actually worked for a little while with M before she figured it out, but it was such a PITA to bring to restaurants and clean enough to bring home. The disposable ones could probably be figured out by kids, but the result wouldn't be as disastrous, since they aren't actually containing food. But I can see using it for C right now, to place a few cheerios or whatever on and give her a clean surface that I don't have to hold onto (like a plate). And it would be nice for M who is old enough to not rip off the mat, but still gets her food everywhere and then still wants to eat it. We love our silicone mats, but they're definitely just for at home. I got the feeling you were supposed to put them back in the bag they came in to take them out and put them back in dirty and I just can't do that. But they're great for at home to keep food going inside babies instead of in chairs. Since my two aren't interested in throwing food yet, they work really well. |
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piccyami
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Post by piccyami on Jun 22, 2017 14:29:28 GMT -6
I don't have any suggestions for getting out with two, since I don't let mine out of the stroller when we're out.
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 16:18:07 GMT -6
I don't have any suggestions for getting out with two, since I don't let mine out of the stroller when we're out. Thankfully J still loves strollering so I can still do that at any non-user-friendly places. I hope he loves it for another 10 pounds or so! |
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2017 19:14:50 GMT -6
I'm actually really excited now to get this first trip with both kids out of the way. This could be the start of a new life, one where I leave my house more than once a week.
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jnu76
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Post by jnu76 on Jun 23, 2017 4:30:40 GMT -6
Going out with two is just like going out with your newborn the first time- scary until you do it, and then everything's ok. You're going to do great! Please update us on the Mom Blind Date so those of us with no mom friends can live vicariously through you!
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 23, 2017 4:39:43 GMT -6
Well, J has been up since 2:45 and is still awake so I highly doubt we'll be going anywhere today. I've gotten two hours of sleep tonight and he's gotten just over 4. That's like a third of our normal amount of sleep.
I'm so pissed and tired. I just left him in his room because I couldn't stop crying and now he's yelling and I'm sure will wake up M any moment because she's already stirring.
I really really don't want to cancel today because I don't want to be that person, and I really want to go! But it's a 45 minute drive and I can't function on basically zero sleep. I'd probably just cry my way through the museum. And he's a distaster when he's just a couple hours short on sleep, and this is well beyond that. Aaaand MH is on call today so I have no back-up anything until tomorrow morning, when we leave to go out of town for the day/night. Which I also have to prepare for at some point today because we have to leave early tomorrow morning.
F$&# !
Ok ranting over.
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mc13
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Post by mc13 on Jun 23, 2017 5:06:37 GMT -6
Ugh milano, that sucks. I would probably cancel and reschedule next week. It's not worth the added stress of being exhausted+having to drive. I'm sure this mom would totally understand. |
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Post by charlotte on Jun 23, 2017 5:57:33 GMT -6
Ugh, so sorry for such an awful night!
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Post by ovenrack on Jun 23, 2017 6:35:33 GMT -6
Oh Milano. I feel ya. It's okay to cancel. Or better yet, postpone!
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 23, 2017 6:48:51 GMT -6
I postponed. She was really sweet about it. I think I'm going to really like her.
Oh, and I decided to let J play in his room earlier and I went back to bed, he apparently busted the gate out of his door and so when he opened the door to my room I had a minor heart attack because I knew MH had already left for work and J doesn't know how to open his gate. Well, apparently he knows now. So I got a 20 minute nap anyway that's carrying me through for now.
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Post by pbandj714 on Jun 23, 2017 7:42:44 GMT -6
Oh man. I hope the day improves from here!
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milano
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Post by milano on Jun 26, 2017 12:15:18 GMT -6
I did it! Took both kids out alone, and met my new friend. I really like her and our boys had fun playing. She's super normal and laid back, we walked around town for an hour and a half then let the boys play at the park for an hour. This could be a fun, social summer!
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