[pugsooie]

Okay I know I'm posting alot of these lately, but I have another question...

When you are like me and have a bunch of younger foster children how do you go out and do stuff...I.E...to the park, out to eat, to grandma's to visit, etc.

Like, I have two 2-yr-olds and one 2-mo-old and I am getting ready to get another 2 yr old. How do you go around like that?

Don't get me wrong I love these kids, but I want me and them to get out sometimes...

I know there are people with triplets and stuff, how do they do it? Do you just stay in the house until they are older? I am one of those that loves to go out and shop, etc. I have gone out plenty with the three I have, but I am worried about how I will do it with another 2-yr-old. I guess hubby will have to help and stay home with some of them, huh?

[leenab]

It's very do-able. I've only ever had 3 at the most. But a double stoller and a baby sling work wonders. A lot of stores :grocery & walmart have the big carts for 3 children, so just put the 2 month olf in a sling and you're set.

Mine are a bit older, but we go over the holding hands rule. You may want to invest/borrow a triple stroller.

When I've had all 3 kids with me at the grocery store, which is pretty much every trip people have looked at me like I'm nuts. But I'm over it. It's not too bad once you get into a schedule. I think the hardest part used to me getting everyone buckled in the car. But now Raj can buckle himself and buckles O as well.

I also find it really easy if I always have a diaper bag packed: usually 2: one for short trips and one if I knw we'll be out all day. I also include snacks, water bottles, little toys. It's a HUGE diaper bag.

There are also "THE LEASHES". I've never used one, but my brother had one when he was little that strapped around his wrist and connected to my mother. He was a wonderer when we went to stores and after he wandered away a few times my mom got him "THE LEASH!" He was about 2-3 yrs old at the time.

There are also little stand on attachments for strollers so you could have a 2yr old stand on it while you pushed the other 2 and had the baby in a sling.

Hope this helps,
LeenaB

[jenandnaomi]

I haven't had to juggle four but I am mastering the art of a 3 week old and a 4 month old. My saving grace is that I always have one (if not both) in a baby sling. They are so good for attachment and bonding and they help to keep your hands free to push a stroller or cart and be able to take items off shelves or just browse. A well known brand of a simple ring sling is a Maya Wrap, I'm pretty handy so I sew my own for about $5.00 in material costs. I'm sewing a fleece one for this winter so I can pop baby in and go without extra bundling or layering.

It's also helped me to join "Multiples" boards and groups online to get tips from moms who are experienced at caring for so many babies at once. It has helped to know that someone else can understand what I'm going through as most people think I'm crazy or a saint (both a little annoying).

I still havn't mastered packing a great diaper bag. I always seem to have so much I never want to lug it into a store, and the one time I don't take it in I need something out of it.

What do you all pack in your diaper bag for multiple babies? How big is your bag?

[leenab]

my small trip, ie 1-2 hours bag:
2 diapers per child
1 bottle per child or juice box/water bottle for my boys
1 pack of raisins per eating child
1 peanut butter crackers per eating child
1 travel pack of wipes
oitments & lotions
burp cloth
and changing pad
(my boag is really small (12"x8"x5")

My big bag is the standard size Jeep diaper bag with all of the above things usually times 2 as well as a change of clothes for anyone under 2.

My boys are getting to the point where they like to take their mini-backpacks and carry their own water, juice & snacks.

-LeenaB

[yanknrebel]

I have a 2 1/2 year old and a set of 8 month old boy/girl twins. I always get the "Are you crazy" or "the good ole southern term " Bless your heart"! I am constantly getting stopped so that people can look at the twins. WHen I take them to the local hospital for their PT session, it takes me 20 minutes to get into the door and down to the basement, and they are just inside the doors and the elevator is right there. I have a double stroller and have the 2 1/2 year old hold onto the stroller. Or I also have the snugli that I can put the baby girl twin in. While she only weighs 2 pounds less than the baby boy twin, she is very light and dainty compared to him. This allows me to put the 2 1/2 year ol din the stroller when she is cranky or we are at the zoo and will be out and walking for a long while. It is very possible that we will get the newborn sister of the twins that is due to be born in Jan. Then I do not know what I will do. Especially since the twins have constant and continual appointments.

[kamamsm]

Is it possible to hire a homeschooler? Homeschool teens are flexible in their schedules unlike public schoolers. Homeschool teens LOVE to work and make extra money, but teens aren't as expensive as "babysitters". Have a "go out" or "running" day where your teen helper goes with you & helps watch everyone- and you have someone to talk with also! Homeschool teens are usually very articulate and well read.

[jenandnaomi]

Thanks for posting your list of what is in your diaper bag. That is such a great tip. I'm going to switch to two, the one for short trips and the other for long trips. I already have a bag big enough for long trips so I'm going to start shopping around for a smaller one.

For those of you that have a double stroller:

Do you like inline (one child behind the other), side-by-side, or double umbrella strollers? I've been thinking about getting a double stroller as the girls get more active but I'm not sure what would be better.

[jolean12]

I have both types of double strollers and we no longer use the side by side kind. It doesn't fit in the isles at the store so the was the biggest deterant. When we went to Florida (Sea World, ect) we used the side by side but other than that we would definately recommend the inline.

[Love_um_all]

That is funny, I have a inline double stroller and I hate that thing. The kids are always pulling each others hair. It is heavy and hard to fit in the car. My friend was watching the kids one day and was gonna take the double stroller, well, it did not fit in the trunk of her Saturn. I would like a side by side. I don't go to stores very often, it is very difficult with 17mo, 13mo, 3 and 4 year olds. DH usually goes with us. The 4 year old needs a leash. I am looking for one, he consistantly runs off. I am gonna tie a rope around him for the time being. I have a harness, but it seems I can never find it when I need it. The inline is also hard to manuver in stores to bc it is long. it is hard to get up steps with it bc is it long and heavy.

I would just like to say, I thought that I was just weak. I thought I was just complaining or irrated over nothing. I am glad to see that packing the car with kids is hard for others too. That is a challenge to "load them up" I am thankful, C(4) can buckle his seat belt (with help) and unbuckle his and his brother K(3)'s seat belt.... I also have C or K carry my purse and put it in the van. That little thing makes a lot of help... I don't have to climb in the back anymore... that is not fun.... And another funny thing is, I hate to carry the heavy bag too. I usually leave it in the car and DH gets frustrated when the babies will poo and he has to run and get it, hahaha... He won't change a poopy one, but he can go get that bag if we need it....

[6babes]

I have a just turned 2 yr old, an about to turn 2 year old and an 8 month old. It is hard to go anywhere with just the 4 of us. I do go for walks with them everyday (double stroller for the big ones and a sling for the little one), but it's alot of work to go anywhere in the car. The older ones are always crying to get out of the stroller or shopping cart, and the baby is getting pretty heavy. It's hard to chase the toddlers while carrying her. I have 3 school aged children as well, aged 8, 9, and 10. They can be pretty helpful with the little ones most of the time if we go out. They can also add to the chaos, if they're in a rambunctious mood. I don't remember it being that hard with my older 3, but they were 1 1/2, 2 1/2 and 3 when they came to me and I think just 6 months makes a huge difference in development. The older ones would hold the stroller or cart when we were out then, whereas my just turned 2 year old and almost two yr old are still apt to just take off whenever they get the chance! It does get easier with time, I know that. In the meantime, I try to get out as often as I can, but I usually enlist help. Good luck!

[clynn]

I have four kids the oldest will be three in January.I have a very hard time going anywhere.I usually get my Daughter to go with me or keep the kids while I go.If we go to town she puts two in her cart and I put two in mine.The 18 month old gets into everything you put in the cart including my purse so we really have to watch her to keep her from throwing everything back out into the floor.It is a rough experience and we don't do it often.It can be done though with a lot of patience.I also use my harnesses onthe older two but one of them is bad about stopping suddenly and I have pulled her down a time or two.

[DianeScraps]

Well we are still in the adoption process, but I can say I think it depends on individual tolerances. For any extended shopping/ outings I am in favor of the one adult per kid rule - especially when they are under 5.

My mom who raised four ( I am the oldest) says:
With one she could go anywhere
two she could do most things
three she felt very limited
and four she felt she needed a parade permit


Best of luck to you!

Diane

[bumpkin]

Just a thought on the baby bag. I use a backpack style that I got at TJ MAXX. With the twins I must have two slots for bottles on either side and I've scaled down my purse. I still use it but have all my money, credit cards and checks in a small quilted change purse. When I leave the car often I'll just grab that and throw it in the baby bag which I put on my back - this leaves me two h ands free.

I have a side by side stroller that is LIGHT and easy to fold with one hand. It is the same width as a wheelchair so it SHOULD fit most anywhere, but some stores are a struggle. Most of the time it works great and the twins just love to hold hands while we stroll! Also, I find it doubles as a highchair when we're out and is easier to feed 2 when sitting side by side.

I think the multiplel boards are a great idea although there are soooo many foster parents that can miraculously maneuver lots of kids!

[pugsooie]

You guys are always so helpful and have such creative ideas and thoughts. Thanks so much...