Packing up the kids to run small errands can be stressful

Alexis - posted on 04/12/2013

Oh and i have Kids Cuisine snack sticks in the freezer for on the go pb&j or strawberry:) found at walmart!!

Alexis - posted on 04/12/2013

I have a 2 yr old and i always have his Zoo backpack waiting by the door just in case we need to run an errand. its AWSOME!! its small enough that he can wear it himself and i put 2 books 3 diapers and a pack of wipes in just fine:) its pretty stylish too. i go his at target for $19.99. its a fox:) he loves it!!! and when we have to go to the laundry mat or something, it has room for his dvd player:)

Ange - posted on 02/12/2013

I usually wait to my husband comes home and then I will go out and get what I need or I will wait and make him help me get the kids ready to go and then he can see what a pain it is to chase a 2 year old around to get coat and shoes on. Then he sees how it is and now he don't mind picking things up on his way home. But sometimes I don't mind going out with no kids at all then I get me time which we all need once in a while my husband is the same he thinks all I do is sit around at home doing nothing and hell there are days out there that I say the heck with I am doing nothing but playing with the kids

Kryssi - posted on 02/11/2013

hi im not sure if we can also help and give u advice but i have a facebook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/amazing.m...
we do advice topics fun games comps etc and are a bunch of lovely mums and mums to be

Brooke - posted on 02/10/2013

I don't like to go anywhere either and i live out of city also :( but it's psychological for me about being overwhelmed by three girls I justify it by going out alone at night or weekends as necessary even for groceries or taking on only what I can and not getting everything done without guilt. Do what is important and really look at what that is to your family if it's causing you personal strife its too much. That is what young moms think is what they signed up for.

Mary - posted on 02/08/2013

Create lists of needs:
1-Food
2-Consumable goods (cleaning/personal hygiene/skin care
3-Upcoming Birthdays, events

BUDGET! Can't say enough about this! DONT get caught up in running around for sales and stocking up! It's a mktg scam and those products that you can stock up on usually are preserved with chemicals or sodium.

SHOP:
Food- 2 x's/month Take several hours to make, marinate, combine, etc. to plan your meals for 14 days.
Staples: Chicken broth (use as soup base for leftover veggies, noodles, ground beef) Make you own spag. sauce; use as soup base too, or over rice, etc (EASY, inexpensive and NOT loaded w/sodium), Homerun Inn pizzas (natural)

Everything else-
1 time per month, on line, keeping you out of the store! Saving impulse shopping and an unimaginable amount of time that you can use to help others.
Choose your online store wisely as there are many that will pull you in the wrong direction and are not good choices for your family, (toxins) etc.

I love helping people with this as, once mastered, it allows busy moms to achieve a balance in their often crazy but wonderful life!

Mandi - posted on 02/08/2013

Oh wow, a new puppy too ! You really do have your hands full !! ... Perhaps I'll try singing a song for getting ready to leave, it works for cleanup (usually :p )

Laura - posted on 02/08/2013

All I can say is that I am in your same situation. I have 4 children but thankfully the older 2 help me out so much, they are 19, 10, 2 1/2, and 13 months. I am on my own though on school days and I just want to rip out my hair when we are getting ready to out. I try to wait til my husband gets home but our evening routine is insane too, trying to cook, feed them dinner, give baths and get them in bed. And now we have added a 10 week old puppy to the mix. You should of seen us all in Petco getting puppy supplies, lol Well anyway, i just try not to get too frazzled when we are getting ready to go out by singing silly Barney songs just so the babies don't realize what a basketcase I am sometimes. I wish I could help Mandi but I am in the same boat as you.

Stifler's - posted on 02/07/2013

I love this post. YES YES I DO. I hate getting them in the car and out of the car and amusing them with lolly pops for one bottle of milk or a packet of stock cubes. The only tricks I have are 2 nappies and wipes, 2 muesli bars and a plastic bag in the other pocket of my bag.

Mandi - posted on 02/07/2013

Thanks guys, I got some really good ideas... :) I just need to work on getting a bit more organized !

Kristen - posted on 02/07/2013

Oops, I thought we were talking 1 or 2 kids, sorry :-). Well I don't have experience with 4, but at one point I was responsible for dealing with 3, my son and my sisters daughters. At the time they were 1, 2, and 3. What I did was just have everything prepared in advance. I always had everybody dressed and ready to go, even on days when I wasn't sure if they were going anywhere. That way when it was time to go the only thing I had to get together was them. If you are having trouble getting out in the mornings pick your kiddos kids out the night before (if you don't already) or have them do it. Do everything you can the night before. If you pack your kids lunch, do it the night before. If you usually make breakfast try to get some quick alternatives if your budget allows (like the pre-cooked bacon). Other than that I can't think of much else. :-/ And as you already mentioned, in order to avoid packing up all the kiddos just for a quick trip the store, wait til your hubby gets home, and have him watch them while you run to the store. Heck, you can even let him choose which kids he wants to stay at the house! Have you tried letting him know that you are feeling a bit overwhelmed? I know men can be a bit clueless at times when it comes to that, I know my ex-husband was :-P

Liz - posted on 02/07/2013

I keep 2 small wipes containers in my purse at all times - one with wipes, and one with 2 diapers. That way I don't have to remember/lug the diaper bag out every time. My kids are 6, 4, 3, and 19 months. I really try not to take all of them with me unless I have to. For example, I HAVE to take them with me when I take my son to school in the morning. If I need to go to the store for only a couple of things, I try to wait until my husband is home, or until our kids are in bed for the night.

Kristen - posted on 02/07/2013

How old is your child? If they are younger and may need something just keep the diaper bag always ready with the things you need in it (extra outfit, diaper, wipes, snack, ect.). If not, just grab a diaper just in case and go!