Stuck at home can't even go to the store, Do you feel the same way?

Janel - posted on 07/16/2009

One of my more favorite things to do is to take one baby, and leave one baby with Daddy (alternating babies depending on who went out with me last). That way each twin gets some one-one-one time with a parent. It's amazing to me how much more simple it is to do things with a single baby than with two...

We went so far with this that we also ended up getting two single strollers in addition to our double stroller. Even during family outings like the aquarium having two strollers with one parent in charge of one baby each makes things insanely easier.

Other than that, I take the kids in the double stroller and put things in the stroller basket. I do my main shopping on the weekend when Daddy can watch the kids, and I can just get out for a bit. On weekdays it's just odds and ends that are needed.

For a while there the challenges of being mobile with two highly scheduled babies was really freaking me out. I was having anxiety about what I couldn't possibly do. I found that forcing myself to do little trips at least once a week with both of them kept me feeling sane. Go to the library, go to the grocery store, go to the park, whatever.

Nevertheless, it's nice to take just one baby out at a time when I get that chance. They feel showered with attention (and their twin does, too), and even Daddy is amazed at how much easier it is to care for one baby. The only kind of weird thing I've noticed is that no matter how annoying the twin-attention is when I go out with both, when I go out with just one and people comment on how cute or whatever I find myself feeling almost guilty about not mentioning that they're a twin. It's a thing I have to get over, though. Their specialness in being a twin does not eclipse their specialness in being individuals, and that's easy for me to remember when they're together - harder to remember when they're apart.

Rachel - posted on 07/15/2009

I'm not the kind of person that can just sit at home so from day one that has never been an option. You just do what you have to do. I take a stroller with them when I go grocery shopping. I push the stroller and pull the cart. Works like a charm.

Jess - posted on 07/13/2009

It amazes me as i have 13month old twins b/g. I haven't had any problems yet, but i hate being stuck at home as most days we are out and about some where, if it is at the shops, someones house or whatever. I don't often do the groceries with the twins( i also have a 4 yr old too) but being in australia it may be different as all big shops have twin trollies or trollies with big seats attached to them for when they get a bit bigger, i have no trouble with them at all, Take today i took all 3 kids to the shops we had lunch at a cafe and then did some groceries without any hassels. I just make sure that i go straight after they have had a sleep so they stay as happy as they can. I don't find having twins any different then just having a single child. I am not an organised person so most of our outings are a spur of the moment thing and i will have all the kids dressed and bags ready and out the door within 20 minutes. I guess i have been very lucky as my twins are very easy going and love going in the car.
I hope things all get a bit easier for you all.

Ria - posted on 07/12/2009

I know the feeling. I have a two year old as well. Going anywhere in the car is a total nightmare. Now that we all have flew it is even worse. We can't even go for a walk around the block.

Kat - posted on 07/09/2009

Personally, when I shop I go when daddy's watching the kids so I can relax a little. Now that they're both walking, I can take them places just to get out (like the zoo or walks around the block) by myself by putting one in the stroller and one walking with a harness then switching so they both wear themselves out. When going short distances, I use the part that converts to just go around the wrist. I still hold their hands but, it's worth the $6 and the "leash" comments to make sure they are safe instead of running into traffic.

Sara - posted on 05/31/2009

Quoting Amy:

I have the same problems.  If I only need a few things I take the stroller in and that works fairly well.   Another twin mom I know says she take the Sam's club cart from the cart return and uses it in Walmart (they are very close to each other).  She makes her husband get it thought lol.  I havn't tried it yet, but what about putting them both in the cart and not using the seat?  Has anyone tried that?  How does it work?

My boys are 10 months old, and when i take them out i either put them both in the seat, but i bring a bandana or scarf to tie my own seat belts, or i put one in the seat, and the other i put in the shopping cart sitting up, bring a blanket if you are worried about him falling over.

This works good if you have one baby that likes to throw things out of the cart, my younger ones job!

Julia - posted on 05/19/2009

Not me, I was so determined to be out and about with them and take them out everywhere on my own. I used the sling for one and the cart for the other. Now they are almost 2 I use either the double carts or I put one in the basket and one in the seat. Do it on your own, it is very empowering!

Jamie - posted on 05/12/2009

I agree with everyone. I find it exhausting just getting them ready to go out the door, let alone tackle the grocery store. I have 1 year old twins and was used to working and now stay home, I am not used to being home bound like this.

Diane - posted on 05/09/2009

i find it hard to go shopping but i have 9 month old twins and a 3 year old 4 year old and 7 year old 10 year old and 11 year old so its more than a chour but we have trollies that are suitable for twins

Danielie - posted on 05/07/2009

I have 13 month old B/G twins and ya i've done the carrier and one in the cart, one in the cart and one in the big part of the cart. I live in a small town so i'm nowhere near a sam's club.I'm lucky enough that my parents come into town to help me or i get my in-laws to babysit.But try and find friends to even just go for a walk with you.I have friends that have babies around the same age, and we go for a walk in the park once a week.it's worth the 1/2 hr drive to town to vent,laugh and get some exercise.

MiRYAM - posted on 05/02/2009

I have 8 month twins and I usually take my daughter in a sling because she is light and my son in the cart.

Susan - posted on 04/21/2009

I have 6 1/2 month twin girls and my husband travels a lot for his job with the millitary, so since they were little we worked out a system of one in the cart (first in the infant seat and now without) and the other carried with me in the baby bjorn. We definately get a lot of looks, but it gets the job done...

Amber - posted on 03/29/2009

You are definately not alone! I have 7 month old twin girls and I have hardly any help! My husband is in the military and is away right now and I am finding it impossible to do anything.

Rebecca - posted on 03/28/2009

I also do the one in the sling, one in the cart thing. Google twins shopping cart covers. I plan on getting one. Its basically like a regular shopping cart cover with extra holes for legs so each baby takes up one leg hole of the cart.

Gina - posted on 03/27/2009

I do the two cart thing all the time! It's really no big deal...especially at walmart because the aisles are so wide. My twins are 14 months old and I also have a 4 year old son. I put a twin in each seat of a cart, then my 4 year old sits in the big part of the cart. I also have a two seater radio flyer wagon that I can just pull along with me as I push a cart. The twins love it! I do try to avoid really busy times like saturday & Sunday afternoons. I like to go in the mornings on weekdays when the store isn't so crowded. If I have to get out and go shopping ...I do it! Don't let anything stop you!

Tracy - posted on 03/12/2009

I am so with you on this one. In addition to having 11 month old twin boys I also have a 4 year old son to bring with me. Although they are great shoppers I have the same dilema as you do. I LOVE that Sam's has the double seat in front so I like to go there. WHen I go to Target and Festival I usually get the cart with the extra seats on the front to stap the kids into, but I hate using those carts. They are so big to move around. I really have a hard time with them.

Erika - posted on 03/10/2009

I do the same things as an earlier post, we have a Sam's club and Walmart that are side by side, if I have to go by myself, I just barrow a cart from Sam's. Also a Kroger's near my house has little trucks attached to some of their carts that seat two, the carts are small but boy do my little ones enjoy it. I think the more frustrating thing is when you run in a store just to garb a few things and everyone wants to stop you and ask about your twins. Something that should that 15 minutes turns into an hour. I also love the question "are they twins?" My boys are identical and dressed alike most of the time, of course they are twins....lol

Colette - posted on 03/01/2009

I can totally relate
My twins are only 4 months so still in their infant seats and some days I look forward to just getting the mail as I get out of the house.
I generally send my DH and older daughter for groceries as it is just too hard to get to the store.(we live out of town)
I'm hoping it will get a little better when the weather gets nicer as at least we can get for a walk

Jo - posted on 02/23/2009

I have to say that I do the two trolley thing now that they are big enough. I'm on my own for two weeks at a time, so i have no choice. At first i'd travel an extra few kilometers to get a twin infant trolley. Now they're standing, I get one for the groceries and one for them. I usually have a few toys and maybe a biscuit (possibly a bad habit). I attach the toy to the trolley and off we go. Be prepared for lots of comments. It may take longer but they enjoy playing peek-a-boo and pointing at things. Items that won't get damaged even if they are thrown out I pass to them to play with. Packets of pasta, noodles etc. Depending on the size of the shop you may be able to ask for help to get the second trolley to the car? Good luck, we're off to the shops.

Noel - posted on 02/22/2009

YES!!!!

Rebecca - posted on 02/13/2009

I haven't gotten to that problem yet. They sit in their carseats with one hooked to the seat and the other in the basket. This works only if I need a few things, though. I have to place things strategically. If we walk, then we definitely don't get a lot so the stroller basket won't break.

I usually just wait for my husband to get home. He either goes with me and we get 2 carts or I go alone. Which going alone is nice to get some free time.

Amy - posted on 02/05/2009

I have the same problems.  If I only need a few things I take the stroller in and that works fairly well.   Another twin mom I know says she take the Sam's club cart from the cart return and uses it in Walmart (they are very close to each other).  She makes her husband get it thought lol.  I havn't tried it yet, but what about putting them both in the cart and not using the seat?  Has anyone tried that?  How does it work?

Tamara - posted on 02/01/2009

I haven't tried this b/c my twins aren't old enough yet - but I saw someone with 2 carts. Sounds awful I know but probably isn't too bad - just slow. The lady I saw seemed to be doing pretty well with it. If you are going to the store during the day it probably isn't crowded which would make this method easier. Curious if this works - let me know if you try it. My twins are 7 months but are a little behind with sitting up on their own etc. so I haven't ventured out on this one yet

Silja - posted on 01/30/2009

I hear you! I love Sam's Club because of that  :)  What I do in other stores is I carry one in a baby carrier (usually a MeiTai- google them, they are great even for toddlers, don't hurt your back), and have the other in the cart.  That works well for me because my girl tends to dislike being in the cart anyway.

Kaitlyn - posted on 01/29/2009

I totally agree with you! My boys just turned 1 and I have only attempted to take them grocery shopping by myself a handful of times. If I only need a few items it isn`t too hard to put them in the stroller and use a basket, but I definately can`t buy much on those trips.

Our grocery store has a few carts that have 2 plastic seats attached to them. The seats are attached to the end of the cart with the handle. They do have straps but they are super small seats. I tried to use them once but it was a mess! First it was a hassle trying to get the boys out of the carseats and carry them both up to the area where the carts are stored. Once I got them in the seats I found the cart was really hard to stear through the store and I kept getting nasty looks from people when I almost ran into them...lol. Half way through the trip, the boys were sick of being in the seats and started crying so I had to leave....not such a good experience.

I really do wish that more stores had the double carts like Sam`s club. They are sooo nice and it makes things much much easier!

For now though, I just try to have someone come with me to the store or find someone to watch the kids while I shop. Our grocery store does have a child care area so I`m looking forward to the day the boys turn 2 and can start going in there while I shop!