If your LO is NOT still in an infant carrier. Re: Leaving the house

Hot Sauce on a Stick · October 2010

Sorry it's long, ladies!

When we get ready to leave in the morning it's just Lily and me. Sometimes Nate is with us, sometimes not. It depends on whether or not he has preschool that day. DH leaves for work before us. I get all of our stuff together (diaper bag, purse, my lunch, DS's backpack, my school books, etc) and put it all by the front door.

Here's where I run into a problem. I can't carry all of the stuff I listed out to the car and carry Lily at the same time. So I'm torn: do I leave her in the house by herself for the 30 seconds that it will take me to carry all of our things to the truck? Or do I put her in the truck first and strap her in for the 30 seconds it will take to run back to the house and grab all of our things?

The truck is parked in our driveway which is maybe 30 feet from my front door. We live in a safe neighborhood but I still worry about child abduction. She's also an expert crawler (and fast!) so I hate to leave her inside by herself. All of our baby gear that would have allowed me to strap her down (bouncer, jumperoo) has been packed away for non-use.

Today, I put all of our bags outside the front door, got the kids rounded up, locked the door, put them in the truck, went back and got the bags (which were outside, so the truck was never out of my sight) and then got in the truck.

I just don't know what to do. I feel like I have to choose the lesser of two evils. What do you do? What would you do in my situation?

It doesn't help that we are always running late in the morning so I'm ready to pull my hair out as it is. Then I have this to worry about. (A word of caution to those of you on Baby #1: trying to rush a preschooler in the morning is like trying to herd cats.)

elissa808 · October 2010

I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway

elissa808 · October 2010

On the other had, I empty my car first when I get home then LO is last out...

Hot Sauce on a Stick · October 2010

elissa808:
I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway

So you leave LO alone in the house? How do you make sure he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't be?

MarMat · October 2010

mmmm when I have to carry a lot of stuff (not a preschooler LOL) I just leave DD in the pnp or her crib with toys while I load the car. Then I come and get her.

She might get angry and cry, but I have my mind in peace.

misscharlotte04 · October 2010

I try to put most everything I will need in the car the night before. If I have to load the car when he's awake and we are home alone I put him in his crib while I haul everything to the car. If your car is locked with the kiddos inside and you run to the door really quickly I think that's okay too. But if you are worried about it, I'd pop her in the crib and then carry her out and walk DS out at the same time once the car is all loaded.

tobereich · October 2010

If I were in your situation what you did this morning sounds like the best option. I was going to say to put your LO in a pack n play, exersaucer, etc while you load the car but you put them away? Maybe get something back out.

jessknell · October 2010

We live in an apartment and sometimes have to park way far from our door. We've got our livingroom totally sectioned off so that there is large portion of it that is completely safe for DS. I've had to leave him in the livingroom while I drag crap out to the car before. My theory is, I'd rather have him locked inside our home than in a car where anyone can peek in and see him. I hate hate hate having to leave him unattended in the house, even for the shortest time but some times you've got to do what you've got to do!

I think your solution of putting the bags outside the front door is great! That way you're always right there by your kiddos!

elissa808 · October 2010

HotSauceonaStick:
elissa808:
I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway

So you leave LO alone in the house? How do you make sure he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't be?

our trusty exersaucer in the living room. He isn't an expert crawler though

anabell0920 · October 2010

What if you got one of those big reusable grocery bags and stuck everything in it? Yes it would be heavy but you could walk out with it and DD. my mom has a really big one but not sure where she got it. I wouldn't leave her in the car I would rather leave her in the house if it were me.

ditzydi_2000 · October 2010

If your DC is no longer in an infant seat then I would strap them into the convertible in the car so they don't do anything they shouldn't be inside the house while you're trying to get everything else into the car. Especially if your DC is crawling.

monj76 · October 2010

I have to just make two trips holding Lo. But when I have groceries to bring in, I put him in his blocked off area in the living room.

Hot Sauce on a Stick · October 2010

elissa808:
HotSauceonaStick:

elissa808:
I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway

So you leave LO alone in the house? How do you make sure he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't be?

our trusty exersaucer in the living room. He isn't an expert crawler though

Hmmmm...we packed the Jumperoo up (she never had an Exersaucer) and the PNP is a perma-staple in my truck just in case. I never thought to take her back the hall and stick her in her crib, though. (Duh.)

Like PP said, she'll probably get mad, but at least I'll know she's safe.

I can't, for the life of me, remember what I did with Nate...

KRMac · October 2010

I have a non-mobile baby, but I stick him in the exersaucer or the PNP for a few minutes while I run the bags out to the car. We just cleaned out the PNP for this reason - now there is actually room for him to sit in it and play with toys, instead of just using it for toy storage.

Hip2Bsquare · October 2010

I am never the same when it comes to this. Sometimes I put my stuff in the car first and then get my DD. and Sometimes I do it the opposite way. However, I have my car in the garage and I have an attached garage.

mao4 · October 2010

leave the kiddo inside and take the bags to the care first.

KRMac · October 2010

HotSauceonaStick:
elissa808:
HotSauceonaStick:

elissa808:
I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway
So you leave LO alone in the house? How do you make sure he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't be?
our trusty exersaucer in the living room. He isn't an expert crawler though
Hmmmm...we packed the Jumperoo up (she never had an Exersaucer) and the PNP is a perma-staple in my truck just in case. I never thought to take her back the hall and stick her in her crib, though. (Duh.)
Like PP said, she'll probably get mad, but at least I'll know she's safe.
I can't, for the life of me, remember what I did with Nate...

In that case, I'd say crib or highchair. My kitchen is right by the front door and the crib is far away, lol!

EmilyAndSammy · October 2010

LOL @ trying to herd cats!

What you did today sounds perfectly fine to me. Once the kids are strapped in the truck, running back a few feet to grab your stuff shouldn't be a big deal at all. Of course we also live in a pretty safe neighborhood, too, so that's probably what I would do.

rodgersonmumma · October 2010

Meh, I guess I just dont worry much about it either way. If they are in the car in the driveway for 30 seconds I dont really concider that a big deal. Same with being in the house for a few seconds alone. I would make sure she is in an exersaucer or something if she were in the house though.

Jessys_Girl · October 2010

HotSauceonaStick:

elissa808:
I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway

So you leave LO alone in the house? How do you make sure he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't be?

I leave LO in the house to run out to the car and put our bags in. What i do is either

Put her in the pack n play

Strap her into her high chair in the kitchen

leave her on the living room floor (when the living room is clean and babyproofed) and close the baby gate to the kitchen and doors to the other rooms.

LoriZoo · October 2010

I start to pack up what I can the night before I leave the house, so I have less to worry about in the AM. I have also been leaving the infant seat in the car, as DS and the car seat are getting too heavy for me to handle (we have a Snugride 32...so we'll be using it a bit longer) and I strap DS into the car.

IMHO, I would probably leave DS in the house for a few seconds to get the rest of the stuff in the car, rather than leave the baby in the car.

My hubby's name is Nate (Nathaniel, actually and it's DS's middle name). Love that name!

Jessys_Girl · October 2010

HotSauceonaStick:

elissa808:
I always pack my stuff first weather my car is in the garage or driveway

So you leave LO alone in the house? How do you make sure he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't be?

I leave LO in the house to run out to the car and put our bags in. What i do is either

Put her in the pack n play

Strap her into her high chair in the kitchen

leave her on the living room floor (when the living room is clean and babyproofed) and close the baby gate to the kitchen and doors to the other rooms.

Melly Mel · October 2010

I NEVER leave DD in the car and run back in. We live in a very safe neighborhood as well but you just never know. I have had everything packed and forgotten something and had to take her back in to get it. DD is not moblie yet either so I just leave her in the exersaucer or on a blanket but like pp said, the crib is a good idea too!

jkylie · October 2010

2 suggestions:

1. Could DH load some of that stuff for you on his way out?

2. Could you load Lily in the car first, LOCK the CAR and then go back and get your bags?

I will have the same issue soon, but I am currently still using carrier.

aocain02@yahoo.com · October 2010

I only leave DS in the car if it is parked in the garage and the garage door is shut and DS is sleeping. He typically falls asleep after picking him up in the afternoon so when I get home I bring all my stuff in the house then get DS.

nomadica · October 2010

As a PP said, I pack my car the night before for this very reason. But sometimes that isn't possible. Honestly, then I just make two or more trips carrying DS! If I had to choose, I would leave him in the house, in his crib. I would never, never leave him alone in the car, even in our quiet safe neighborhood. I'm much too paranoid.

Luv-a-Bug · October 2010

I either use the high chair if I need to run down to the basement to grab the laundry, or if I take the garbage out. I usually can get everything plus him out to the car at the same time but if not, I'd put everything out on the steps, put him in first (open some windows or start the car with a/c if it's hot), and then I grab my stuff off the steps. Same if we go grocery shopping.. take bags to steps, then grab DS.

jacodi · October 2010

I strap DS into his highchair with toys or put him in his exersaucer then go and bring stuff down.

DEElicious18 · October 2010

I run into the same problem. We still have a pack and play set up in the living room. I put him in there so I know he's safe. I pack the car, then bring him out. I am far too paranoid to leave him in the car, even with the doors locked and the car in the driveway where I can hear and see it from my living room (we're talking 2 years away at most!).

anabell0920 · October 2010

I am surprised at how many leave their LO in the car. My SIL one winter turned on her car forgot she left her phone in the house so ran inside while the car was in the drive way and when she came back out the car was gone! It was a safe neighborhood and it took her less than a minute to grab her phone, it was also at 5 am so the last time of the day to expect that. Her car showed up 2 months later trashed and abandoned. Not judging any moms but it seriously takes no time for someone to do something like that.

rodgersonmumma · October 2010

anabell0920:
I am surprised at how many leave their LO in the car. My SIL one winter turned on her car forgot she left her phone in the house so ran inside while the car was in the drive way and when she came back out the car was gone! It was a safe neighborhood and it took her less than a minute to grab her phone, it was also at 5 am so the last time of the day to expect that. Her car showed up 2 months later trashed and abandoned. Not judging any moms but it seriously takes no time for someone to do something like that.

I don't know about the other ladies that posted, but I would never leave my kids in the car if it were unlocked and the keys were in the ignition. I was talking about bringing the kids to the car, (in the driveway, 30 ft from the house at most) locking the car, and then running back inside and grabbing my bag. Obviously if your kids are in an unlocked, running vehicle there is a chance that someone could take them, even if it was only a 30 second trip inside.

americanada · October 2010

similar to what anabell said: can you get one of those folding grocery cart things to put everything in and wheel out with the kids? maybe the toddler can even help you push it.

StrawberryAlarmClock · October 2010

I leave DS in the PNP that we have in the living room while I run things out to the car. I am more comfortable with him there than alone outside in an unlocked car.

ANJ410 · October 2010

I am in the same boat. I usually put the baby in the carseat, strap my DS into his booster seat, then sprint back to the house where I have the diaper bag, my purse and DS's backpack waiting by the front door. I don't actually go back in, I just lean in and grab them, so the kids are not left unsupervised and they can still see me. My driveway is less than 10 feet from the front door.

Editing to add in that I don't start the car until I am in it with them.

gingerfamily · October 2010

I've done it both ways. However, if I back into my driveway the back door of my car is only about 4 feet from my front door. And, I can see it from where I put our bags in the morning.

If I was really worried about it I would either put her in her crib or pnp or carry her in and out with me as I packed up the car.

Packing up the car the night before or having H pack up the car for me wouldn't work because her cold bottles are in her lunch bag and they wouldn't stay well in the heat that you have in AZ.

gingerfamily · October 2010

anabell0920:
I am surprised at how many leave their LO in the car. My SIL one winter turned on her car forgot she left her phone in the house so ran inside while the car was in the drive way and when she came back out the car was gone! It was a safe neighborhood and it took her less than a minute to grab her phone, it was also at 5 am so the last time of the day to expect that. Her car showed up 2 months later trashed and abandoned. Not judging any moms but it seriously takes no time for someone to do something like that.

I have an automatic starter on my car. The keys are not in the car and the car remains locked if Zoey is in it.

rnfromtn · October 2010

Do you have a light weight umbrella stroller? That is how I get out of the house with DS. I park him at the front door so he is still inside the house, but immobile.

financialdiva · October 2010

What if you have DH put your stuff in your car on his way out? My DH does drop off. So I grab the bag that's already packed and stick it in his truck on my way out the door. He leaves about 30 minutes after I do. But the milk is in a cooler with an ice pack so it's not a big deal.

only1erin · October 2010

i wake up before ds usually does, so i get ready and pack up the car w/everything before i go and get him. then i get him up, change his diaper, dress him, etc. and take him to the car. there have been times when i've put him in the car and have forgotten something and gone back for it. i just locked him in the car and ran back into the house real quick; our driveway is about 4 steps from our porch.

tinawife · October 2010

I am alone for pcaking them both in the car ( a 7 month old and a 2.5 yr old) and getting them out (my Dh lives and works in another city during the week)

Mornigns are sooo hard! I dotn even think about it. I leave her rolling around the floor while I pack things in and my older son watches a TV show. On return, she stays in the car while I unpack it. I use the highchair sometimes or hte pack and play but mostly I just leave her on her own for a few seconds while I pack the car, not a super big deal I dont think.

mrsfox1369 · October 2010

DD's room is right by the front door. I gather all of my stuff I need and sit it in front of her bedroom door. When I go to leave I stick her in her crib with a toy and stick the stuff in the car. It works out perfect because if it's hot out I have time to start the car so it's cooled down or if it's cold I can get the car warm before I bring her out to the car. I'm probably out there for a good 3 minutes because I'll grab the mail as well. My car is maybe 15 feet from my front door & my mail box is right next to the car.

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If your LO is NOT still in an infant carrier. Re: Leaving the house

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