2 kids/2 daycares: drop off/pick up logistics

VeilSdeGTO · October 2013

DD #1 (2yo) recently started at a preschool that is a ten minute drive (surface streets) from our place. Currently, DH drops off and I pick up. DD #2 will go to a daycare that is a ten minute drive (freeway) from our place.

We've discussed DH doing drop off for DD#2, I do drop off for DD#1, and I pick up both girls since I get off work earlier. My question is, which one should I pick up first?

I think it would make more sense to pick up the infant first, then the toddler. However, I'm not sure how I would feel taking the infant in the car seat carrier with me every time I pick up the toddler. Or should I pick up the toddler first and that way, she can just walk with me to pick up the infant.

st.augbride · October 2013

Get the toddler first. It will be easier logistically to get in and out of the car again with a toddler. When I pick dd and ds up, they are only in different rooms and it still can be challenging! I get ds (toddler) first usually since he can hang out while I gather dd's things, but if I get dd (infant) first, I am carrying her and then have a harder time gathering things.

jf198400 · October 2013

If you decide to pick up the infant first you can just snap the car seat into a stroller and roll her in with you, whereas the toddler has to get in and out of the car seat.

st.augbride · October 2013

jf198400 said:

If you decide to pick up the infant first you can just snap the car seat into a stroller and roll her in with you, whereas the toddler has to get in and out of the car seat.

Good point! But this is only if your infant tolerates the car seat! Mine is a screamer in the car and we switched to a convertible car seat early on to help with comfort, so that wasn't an option for us.

emberlee3 · October 2013

DS and DD were in different places last year, and I found it was easier to pick up DS (preschooler) first. He usually helped by carrying DD's bag while I carried her, plus he could climb into his seat himself while I put her in the car.

VeilSdeGTO · October 2013

jf198400 said:

If you decide to pick up the infant first you can just snap the car seat into a stroller and roll her in with you, whereas the toddler has to get in and out of the car seat.

The stroller the car seat snaps into is kind of a pain to set up.

Any suggestions on keeping the toddler occupied (aka out of trouble) while I'm gathering the stuff for the infant?

mittensonkittens · October 2013

I would try it both ways and see what you prefer. I just have to pick up kids in different rooms, not different locations, but I like to get the baby first so I don't have to worry about keeping the toddler out of trouble in the baby room. I carry the baby in the infant seat over my arm without the stroller. When DS2 got too heavy for that to work, we switched to a convertible seat and I just carried him on my hip.

emberlee3 · October 2013

VeilSdeGTO said:

Any suggestions on keeping the toddler occupied (aka out of trouble) while I'm gathering the stuff for the infant?

DS likes to help. If he has a job, he gets into less trouble. He likes to carry DD's bag. You shouldn't have to gather much, won't the teacher put everything in her bag after it's used?

Mrs.RockyM · October 2013

st.augbride said:

Get the toddler first. It will be easier logistically to get in and out of the car again with a toddler. When I pick dd and ds up, they are only in different rooms and it still can be challenging! I get ds (toddler) first usually since he can hang out while I gather dd's things, but if I get dd (infant) first, I am carrying her and then have a harder time gathering things.

This! No extra hands when you're holding the baby.

RachieTK · October 2013

I think it would be easier to lug a car seat than corral a toddler and have her walk more, especially in bad weathers. Of the stroller is a pain i would invest in a used snap n go since this is a daily thing.

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2 kids/2 daycares: drop off/pick up logistics

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