When did you get out of the house with both kids?

ctodd498

Don't get me wrong...I've been out of the house with both of our little ones, but there's always been someone with me.  I was just wondering how long it was before you felt comfortable going somewhere with both kids on your own.  We've made a couple of jaunts to Grandma's house but she only lives 5 minutes away. 

I'm just super intimidated about the thought of trying to go to the grocery store or the library or other errand type things with both kids.  We have a double stroller, but the thought of loading one and then going around the car to load the other just seems very arduous.  So I always make DH watch the kids while I run errands, go with me, or do the errands for me.  (And I shop for as much as I can line so it just shows up at the door.)

Tell me that I"m just building this up too much and it's not as difficult as it sounds. 

MammaBear81

I think I had to go to the grocery store about 4 days after I got home.  I took DS1 everywhere I went, so when I had DS2 it didn't seem that different.  I generally loaded DS1 first (because the baby was in a carrier and not going anywhere) and then snapped the carrier in and went.  If you have a double stroller try taking that to the grocery store just to pick up a few items, small steps might make it seem less impossible! GL

bim38106

i did it the same way mamabear mentioned above. we were back to all our usual routines and activities when DD2 was 3 weeks old. it was tough at first, but i go crazy staying inside all day. i just need to get out and see my friends and since i have no family nearby, i was quickly pushed out of my comfort zone. but once you go for it, it quicklh becomes your new normal

kcisthebombdotcom

probably at around 1 month old. I had a long c-section recovery so I just wasnt physically ready to handle both of them alone any earlier.

You are building this up too much and its not as difficult as it sounds. The first few times are tricky but then you get used to it. Instead of the double stroller, I'd recommend wearing the baby in a carrier for day to day errands so you have your hands free for your toddler. I generally only used the double for long walks around the neighborhood or trips to the zoo.

GL!

ctodd498

Thanks...I figured I was just overdramatizing things again.  I felt the same way about the first few days when my husband went back to work and that worked out just fine too.  I guess I just need to get out there and do it.  The weather's been so nice and I'm so tired of hanging out at home; we definitely need to get out of the house! 

Daisy22

My boys are 15 months apart. Another mother who had kids 15mth apart told me to rip the bandaid and just do it early on. She told me you get more confident with each new outing with both kids. But she said you have to do it early on so you can get it over with and htat it isn't as scary are you make it out to be. I'd have to agree with her.

I started out doing a trip to target wtih both boys at 2wk pp. I think we lasted 10 minutes But it was just the little push I needed. I started doing everythign with both boys in tow. At first, it was easy by any means since the oldest was only 15-16 months and didn't walk outside very well. So I always parked at target or the grocery store near a cart return. I'd grad a cart and put them in before heading into the store. If it was a quick in/out of a store without carts I usually put the baby in the baby k'tan and held DS1 on my hip. I got good at carrying both and DS1 was a big boy. I also always had my double stroller with me. I have a city select so a lot of times I'd put DS2 in the baby k'tan and DS1 in the stroller so it was a littl easier to push through stores. My advice thorugh just do it. Get it over with now!

psyck

The boys were about two months old. I just walked around Target with them. At three months, we started going to story time every week at the library. Now we go just about anywhere.

memali26

DD2 had to go to the pedi at 10 days old for an infected tear duct, so I didn't have much choice but to take them both. We went to Target afterwards and it was fine. I do like mamabear said - load the toddler first (she's a runner) and then the infant carrier. I did use the double stroller the first several times we were to the doctor with both, but stopped a month or so ago and just let DD1 walk. It's still nice for the library or mall.

randa0880

I started when the youngest was about a month old. I would go to the store and put the toddler in the seat in the cart and either wear the baby or put her car seat in the cart if I wasn't getting a lot. I started taking them to the park recently and I take the double stroller.

juliane2004

For me, things like grocery shopping can wait until DH will either watch the kids while I shop or DH will shop. I dont do errands with the kids, other than doc appointments.

But to answer your question, I do not remember when I went out alone with both. Probably 2 months PP, just because it was winter and Christmas and I wasn't really alone for a while.

Baby #3 is coming in August and I plan to go out with all three, alone, by September.

moonfaerie

Probably when DD2 was 7 or 8 weeks. I had a c/s and couldn't drive for a bit, then we had a snowy period so it was just much easier to stay in. Honestly other than newborns needing to eat often, it's easier being out of the house with a newborn and a toddler than two toddlers. At least when one is in the carrier, s/he can't decide to run off in another direction. lol

Once you get into a groove of who you load in first, etc., you'll be fine. For me, I preferred to sit the carrier on the ground and load #1 in the car first.

It evolves though. Once #1 was older and understood that she has to stay by mommy, it became easier to put #2 in the car first while #1 stands next to me. (Mine are 14 months apart.)

celiabwatson

I think I was out about a week postpartum (I have easy recoveries so far). My suggestion is to start with places that your toddler has typically been easy to handle in before. My son for example loves the train table at Barnes & Noble. He knows exactly where it is and will nicely walk right in, go to the table and play for an hour or more (or at least he did a month ago, I overused it and now he's more exploratory). So I was able to go there pretty easily with both of them, but I also did errands etc early on as well. I always wear the baby and hold my son's hand or put him in the cart. She's never been in a stroller and he has been boycotting it so no stroller for us. 

Oh, and getting in and out of the car, I ALWAYS put my son in first and then my daughter. He is a runner and she hates the carseat so that system works best for us. Getting out I get her first and him second, for the same reasons. The only exception is when we get home because our driveway is safe and I can let him out first. Sometimes I do let him in, close the door, put her in and then come back to buckle him (there is frequently wrestling involved).

Good luck! 

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ohfour

Baby wearing is a lifesaver. Pop the baby in the Ergo and off I go. I would go to nearby stores, library etc to get used to it. My oldest is 25 months older, and my younger 2 will be 12 months apart. I'm not worried about it at all.

MiraclePending

I think I was about two weeks postpartum when I had to go grocery shopping. My husband works a lot and hates shopping, so it's pretty much up to me to get it done.  My son was pretty small as a newborn (about 6 pounds) so I opted for a baby carrier. It's so much easier with a newborn compared to when they get a little older. When he got a little older, I kept him in the infant car seat and would put it in the big part of the shopping cart. My daughter sat int the seat and I'd put groceries on either side of the car seat and under the cart. Now that he's sitting up, he sits in the shopping cart seat and I put her either in the big part of the cart or she walks beside me.

 I can't say it's easy, but there are good trips and bad trips. I can't say it'd be a lot easier with another person with me, because the worst part about it is dealing with terrible two tantrums during the trip. My son never really acts up as long as he has something to nibble on, so I lucked out in that aspect.

 I think the key to getting out is just not to think too much about it. Have a routine on the days you plan on going out, and try not to take too long getting ready to go out. I find that if I do think too much about it or take forever getting ready, the kids and I are exhausted by the time we're ready to leave. 

WhitePicketFence

IMO, the sooner you do it, the better. I think DD2 was 3 weeks old when I took both girls out by myself for the first time. I've always done a lot of activities with DD1 during the week since I'm a SAHM (toddler storytime at the library, Kindermusik, children's museum, playground, etc) and since DD2's been born, she's always come with us. You just sort of figure it out as you and eventually you can't even remember what it was like with just one kid.

For the record, I still don't grocery shop with both kids. I either find a sitter for a few hours or wait until the weekend when DH can come with us. Short trips are fine, but a complete shopping trip by myself is just way too overwhelming with both girls on my own.

VABride2008

I went to the grocery store by myself with both kids at 2 weeks PP.