Getting out of the house

E&RMommy

We literally never take the babies out.  We've taken them out to eat one time, and they are 16 weeks old.  It's just too difficult I guess with me working 80 hours each week.  I'm never home and when I am the babies are usually sleeping. 

I am off this weekend.  So today I am determined to get them out.....

How often are you girls taking your babies out to eat, shop, etc?

macchiatto

80 hrs/wk while a mom to 16-week-old twins. Wow. I wish I could buy you some sleep and a massage!

Now, I had January babies so at 16w we were out of flu season. But at that age I'd say we took them out 2-3 times a week (once to church, sometimes out to Panera with a friend afterward, maybe once to the park for a walk and once on errands; we also went out to eat as a family once or twice a month). I also had friends over once or twice a week. Since I was/am a SAHM, I also tried to get out without them once a week so I would do most of my grocery shopping and errands when DH was home to take care of them, just so I could get out of the house and have a mini-break.

mrs.cam

I'd say we go out just about every other day but I think it is more for my sanity than anything else.  I just can not stay cooped up at home all day...but then again I don't want to work 80 hours either!  Good luck Momma!

E&RMommy

Kuddos to all SAHMs especially of multiples!  When I stayed with them by myself for the first 7 weeks it was so eyeopening and in many ways much harder than my work.  I'd want to get out as much as I could too.

You girls are helping me get pumped up to take them out....I can do this! 

Temp159135562506975

i try to get out with them every day at least once.  the more you do it- the easier it gets - just do it

carolina1178

usually 2-3 times a week...you can so do this!!! the more you do it, the easier it gets and the faster you can get in the car LOL

working 80 a week...I can see how it would be hard to get out. I would just want to sleep!!!

good luck!

txdaisygal

I work FT, but not 80 hours (God bless you!). But I am out of the house at 7 and not home until 6, which is just an hour and a half or so before bedtime so we rarely go anywhere during the week. On weekends we usually go to grandparents houses each day, and then I'll run a couple errands with them either on our way there or on the way home. But I really don't feel a need to get out with them that much...I'd really be fine just hanging out at home with them all day.

Rangergal9

80 hours a week... OMG I feel for you!

Right now I am on maternity leave so I go out with the girls about 3 times a week.  My MIL and I go to the mall and then go out to lunch.  Then on the weekends DH and i take all three out.  We have not ventured to a restaurant with all 3 yet because older DD can be a challenge...lol   

marker56

I try to take them out to shop with me 1-2x/week.  I'm considering decreasing that now... I took them to BRU with me on Monday but apparently the nap Alexis had in the car was so great, she didn't want to wake up (during a normal wakeful time).  I paid for it overnight when she woke up 2 hours early.  

We've only taken them out to eat three times, but DH and I are only together at home on weekends

ETA: PP are right though... the more you do it the easier it gets   Our babies have always been great when we've taken them out to eat.  Enjoy your weekend off!

macchiatto

How are they sleeping at night?

joliemariée

I also live in TX, and we take the twins out every single day.  I just pick somewhere close ( Target, Mall, coffee shop, park, lake, grocery, etc...) and just walk around. It helps my sanity level and is something to look forward to each day, for all 3 of us!  

We I started this routine when they were 8weeks old. I make a point of finding something to do with them every afternoon. It makes them happy ( and sleepy) to be out and about looking at people, fresh air, etc.. Now they are so good in public, extremely mellow and happy ( even when the many strangers approach us)

Since you work so many hours, maybe something relaxing, like a park or lake - at their age they will enjoy anywhere new - especially outdoors.

Have fun!!

kaiteedidit

I'm really bad at getting the babies out of the house when I'm alone. It's just too much work when you throw a toddler into the mix. During the week I may get them out 1-2x, but we always try to get out more during the weekend.

They hate their car seats which makes it miserable for everyone.

babydontforget

When I was on leave I went out with them every day. I found that it made me happier and made them happier--it was just good to get out. Now, that said, I also discovered that too much of being out is not good. After a while of experimenting I learned that they do best if I keep them out no longer than one "cycle" of eat, activity, sleep (and I consider going out to be the activity, and sleeping in the car seats to be the sleep).

We'd go to Target, to the mall, on walks, out to meet with my friends, etc. 

Now that I'm on leave I'll continue this on days off, though I won't require that the nanny do it. I do expect their threshold of tolerance for being out to increase with age.

benkari

We get out every nice day for a walk and once a week we hit up the grocery store and Walmart.  A couple times a month we will do dinner out.  It is true the more you do it the easier it is. 

BeccaLandes

Well, I work 7 hours a week, so my schedule is so much more flexible... but I am out with my babies every single day.  We go for walks, out for coffee (I get coffee, they don't!), to other mommy's houses, to the grocery store, and to our little outdoor shopping area.  We usually stay within about 20 minutes of our house so that I can get home in a hurry when nap time hits.

TheNewFry

We try to get out with them every other day or so, usually to the store.  If my husband isn't home, then I don't usually go out with them by myself.  I have only gone out once with them alone and it went fine, so I am going to try to get out more often when DH is at work. 

GL - let us know how it goes!

gumiberg

i take the twins out every single day by myself...i think i started when they were 4 months old?  i have to say, that doing it regularly makes is super easy.  my kids are SO well behaved because they have been going places (resturants, grocery stores, malls) for most of their life.  This doesnt mean they wont have a tantrum eventually (come their terrible twos) but i am extremely comfortable for whenever that happens. 

key is to go after a nap so that they are well rested.

mind you, i dont work 80 hrs/week, though. if i worked that much, i wouldnt want to do anything on my precious time off!!

lately i have been taking them to the park by myself and that is the most challeneging because my kids can almost run now and they never run in the same direction. but i am persistant so i keep going...lol.

jennie13

Mine are the same age.   I SAH, and I don't take them out much.   Never out to eat or to shop - just to the doctor and to visit family and friends.  They are screamers, and hate their carseats unless they are in a moving car.   I try to get out for walks, but they usually hate that too and cry.   I have a toddler as well, so I have a sitter who comes a couple mornings so I can get out with just my older DD, or by myself.    I have taken all 3 out by myself in the car, just once, to a playdate.