Q: How do you get out the door when you have more than one child, and there is always a feeding/dirty diaper/meltdown, etc.?
A: That is a great question! Don't we all wish we could wave our magic wands and have everyone packed and ready to go? Unfortunately when my children came along I guess they were out of magic wands. :-) So, here are some tips to make it go as smoothly as possible.
**Get as much as possible ready the night before or earlier in the day. When I take my 3 little ones on an outing such as the park, I try to fix their lunches, snacks, and sippy cups the night before. I make sure I have diapers and anything else I might need.
**I usually aim to leave about 20 minutes before I actually have to leave. This allows for any dirty diapers, meltdowns, phone calls, etc.
**I often load the toddlers in the car first and then finish getting the rest of the car packed. This works well for me since my garage is attached to the house. I know for some people it wouldn't work as well. Usually the toddlers have a little baggie with a snack so they are fine to wait a few minutes, and they are already buckled in so they are staying out of trouble.
**Make a checklist. I have a checklist on my iPod for bigger trips such as the park. This way, I make sure not to forget anything important. It helps me think clearly when things are hurried and stressful.
What tips do you have? Everyone has strategies that work for them. Please share anything that makes getting out the door easier for you.
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