How do you do the groc store and things like that w/ 2u2?

DMD1029 · December 2011

I had DS with me at the grocery store this weekend and I was lifting him to put him in the front basket, it struck me that I have no idea how to do it when I'll have 2! DS will be 22 mos when #2 is born. How do you do errands with 2u2? Are minivans the only option? I'm starting to hyperventilate...I'll stop now!

MammaBear81 · December 2011

As pp said, you can put the older on the the seat of the grocery cart and wear the LO, alternatively, if I was just going to get a few items I would just bring the double stroller (since LO could stay in the infant seat) and use the storage basket underneath to put the groceries in. I have a minivan, but also as PP said, I don't think anyone NEEDS a minivan with 2 kids, if you want one or are planning to have a 3rd soon after #2 then by all means they are great (this coming from someone who said she would never drive a minivan). Just as you did with your first you will adjust to doing things with 2. I also tend to pick up items on the way home from work so I don't have the kids with me, or DH will stay home and I'll run out. It all works out one way or another!

rgtsmom01 · December 2011

I have a nanny who watches them on Mondays and I do the shopping for the entire week then. It is really nice not to have to worry about them or have to go back and forth to the store during the week. Yes, this means I even have the meals planned for the week. I have a new Toyota 4 runner that has a third row if I need it but I usually don't so it gives me tons of space for a double stroller and everything else I want or need.

rgtsmom01 · December 2011

OMG your pic with the kids in front of the gingerbread hosue is the cuties thing I have ever seen.

Daisy22 · December 2011

When ds2 was a newborn I either used my baby ktan or put the infant seat in the back. Ds1 was only 15 months so a lot of times I ended up putting ds2 in the sling and carrying ds2 on my hip into the store.

Ponce ds2 could sit up most stores have double carts. They are a pain to move but they work for two. You'll figure it out. It's not as scary as it sounds.

12bailey18 · December 2011

We don't have a mini van and with 2 I don't think they're necessary. I've never felt I needed one. I put DS in the seat part of the cart and wear DD. If I don't have a lot to buy then I'll put the carseat in the big basket part of the cart. I always park near the cart return. If I'm going to a place that doesn't have carts than I'll bring the double stroller. Sometimes I'll carry the carseat and hold DS's hand. It really just depends on the location. Maybe it's because I have my system down now but I don't find errands all that difficult. DH is always working so I take them to the store, to my doctor's appointment, any other place I have to go...LOL. It's really not as scary as it seems!

Unknown · December 2011

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trinny · December 2011

McRib:
I drive a tiny VW and we do fine. I do most of my errands with one kiddo at a time on the weekend but it's fine with two. You can wear the baby or you can put their carrier in the cart and use the area around that. You can also usually put a basket in the under the cart area so you have that area too.

same. We have a honda accord, never had a double stroller. I usually went out with just my DS when he was a baby, now I do most of the errands when they are both napping. I just don't find myself out without DH that much.

sweetpea2003 · December 2011

When DS was a newborn I wore him and put DD in the front of the cart.

Once DS was too heavy to be worn (he was a whopping 27 pounds at 12 months) DD was old enough to walk next to me in the store and prefered to not be in the cart anymore.

I don't have an minivan - I have a Honda Pilot. I never have thought I needed a minivan (though I do get a tad envious of the doors that open and close with the remote).

memali26 · December 2011

I have a VW Jetta and it's fine for 2u2. I want a minivan, but that's just because doors that slide open with a touch of a button so my toddler can run to the car and climb in without wandering on the lawn while I chase her down sounds like heaven

For errands, I take the double stroller (dr's appts, stores without carts or that have teeny tiny carts) or put DD1 in the cart seat, and DD2's car seat in the basket of the cart with a carrying basket underneath to hold the groceries. I'd like to wear DD2, but she's not a huge fan of the mei tai, and I hate tying it in a parking lot because the straps drag on the ground.

It's really not hard at all to get out with my 2u2. It took a few tries to get a good routine figured out, but now I don't even think twice about taking them with me. Though I do live for the times I can leave them both with DH and go alone

Beckypooh09 · December 2011

Dup

Beckypooh09 · December 2011

I wear DS2 in a carrier and put DS1 in the cart. Once DS2 can sit unassisted they have double carts where I live so they can both sit in the cart. We own an SUV and it has plenty of room IMO. I'm very good at organizing our stuff when we go places though. We also have a double stroller I can put the car seat on which I thought I'd hate having to use but it has honestly been my lifesaver!!

MammaBear81 · December 2011

rgtsmom01:
OMG your pic with the kids in front of the gingerbread hosue is the cuties thing I have ever seen.

thanks, your two are adorable!

kcisthebombdotcom · December 2011

Depends on what I was shopping for.

If I was just grabbing a few small items, I'd put the infant seat in the stroller and my oldest in the seat. I'd store the items next to the infant seat or in the storage underneath the cart.

For bigger shopping, I wore the baby in the baby carrier and let DS sit in the seat.

I manage 2 under 2 with a compact car. While a minivan would be nice, it's not necessary.

HRTB16 · December 2011

I scouted out the grocery stores that have the carts with the little cars on the front. Then I'm "that mom" that opens the bag of pretzels to snack on while he is driving his car. He thinks he's a big man driving around the store!

kagl04 · December 2011

I wear DS if it's a long trip and DD goes in the front of the cart. For shorter trips I leave DS in his car seat since its much easier that way! I found that trips and errands out by myself have gotten so much easier with these 2. I was forced to take them out in several occasions alone because DS has so many drs appts and no one could go with me. I've gotten into a nice groove now and am getting more organized by the day, so it's not as scary as it once was.

As for the car... A minivan is definitely not needed! I will never have one. I just got the GMC Acadia and I seriously don't know how I ever lived without it. The remote trunk and all the room is just amazing! It's like a minivan, only an SUV version.

marielovestimothy03 · December 2011

I have a Honda Pilot and have plenty of room. I even have part of the back seat up in anticipation of having to put DD1's carseat back there when #3 is born and still have plenty of room. You definitely don't need a mini van.

I will say that I don't do big grocery runs alone with my two often though. If I do go out shopping with them I used to put DD2 in her bucket seat in the basket of the cart and DD1 up front and just keep my list short. Now they both sit up on their own and most stores around us have double seat carts (usually the giant obnoxious ones that look like cars...lol) MOST of the time though I go alone after DH gets off work. It's kind of our little trade off. He hates shopping, especially since he's usually the one chasing our 2.5 year old around so he'd much rather stay home with the girls while I go out alone. It's faster, less stress and I'm a much happier mama with my hour of me time to browse the grocery store ;-)

mayowife · December 2011

If I'm shopping alone with both kids I'll wear DD and put DS in the shopping cart seat. I have an Ergo and the weight limit is fairly high. Grocery shopping when my husband is home and the kids are in bed for the night works too. The stores are much less crowded then and sometimes it's nice to be alone while shopping.

Also, I don't know if you have a Costco in your area or not, but they have shopping carts with space for two children in the regular cart seat part (not an attachment in front of the handle like Target or a car beyond the cart like grocery stores).

MamatoJackson · December 2011

Minivans are nice but we do fine with our pt cruiser. I go shopping often so that I don't need to spend a ton of time in the store. About twice a week. Olivia goes in the baby seat and Jackson sits in the main part of the cart.

etude de la vie · December 2011

when ds was little I would wear him and DD would be in the cart. If he fell asleep in the carseat I would take the double stroller and put groceries in the basket.

Now he is too big so he sits in the cart and DD is in the main part of the cart.

December192009 · December 2011

When we just had 2u2 to worry about we had a Nissan Titan 4 door and I LOVED IT!!!!! I could toss the double stroller in the back and still had room in the cabin and bed for any bags or groceries we needed.

Fast forward to our surprise #3 - our only option considering car seat widths + getting back there to buckle everyone in (I'll have 3 and my oldest will have just turned 2) was a mini van (Honda Odyssey)

Grocery Shopping right now - Kroger has carts with 2 seats. THey also have the 2 seater + car in the front. truthfully that will be an emergency scenario though, b/c I am planning on either one of us staying home while the other goes to the grocery store or running to the store while a grandma stays with 1 or more kids.

I understand your reaction - I literally had a meltdown today b/c I realized having 3 so close together has completely limited our ability to stay mobile... The Lord never gives us more than he knows we can handle, right?

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How do you do the groc store and things like that w/ 2u2?

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