How do you DO IT!!?????

I need advice. My boys are almost 3 and quite the handful. I will be leaving my job this summer to be a SAHM until they go to school (we are finally able to swing it financially -- will be tight, but I want to do it). For the record, we are in NC and have NO family that can help me.

I am concerned about taking them anywhere by myself. They tend to run off in different directions and I'm afraid of how I will handle them. I don't want to be house-bound and want to take them to the park, store, children's museum, etc, but need some tips!

They are too big for a double stroller (about 42 lbs each -- I have big boys, lol!). They HATE the stroller anyway. If I am in a store where they have the racing cars on the cart, they hit and fight with each other.

If they both hold my hand, how will I do anything? The moment I let go, he runs off (usually).

Any tips???

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

Well my kids still go in the stroller so I am lucky that way...I have no suggestions other then bungee them together and drag them around the store....

I am kidding..... I dont have any real suggestions for you and I am sorry bc I usually dont have issues when I take them out by myself.....

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

I am not at the mobile stage. But I drag my kids everywhere, and the one thing I have learned is, the more you do something the easier it gets. The more they are exposed to different situations, the more they learn how to act in them. You can't expect a child to never go into a restaurant and then bring him in one at 5 for the first time and expect him to know how to behave. I would start SMALL. and for short period of times. Target for an hour, have a list of what you want. Set boundaries BEFORE you go into the store " if you act up, we will leave and no story tonight or no dessert , whatever works....so yeah basically threaten them No matter what you say, follow thru.

GL!!!!!!!

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

Posted by maybemommy10

I am not at the mobile stage. But I drag my kids everywhere, and the one thing I have learned is, the more you do something the easier it gets. The more they are exposed to different situations, the more they learn how to act in them. You can't expect a child to never go into a restaurant and then bring him in one at 5 for the first time and expect him to know how to behave. I would start SMALL. and for short period of times. Target for an hour, have a list of what you want. Set boundaries BEFORE you go into the store " if you act up, we will leave and no story tonight or no dessert , whatever works....so yeah basically threaten them No matter what you say, follow thru.

GL!!!!!!!

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

Posted by TripletMom

Well my kids still go in the stroller so I am lucky that way...I have no suggestions other then bungee them together and drag them around the store....

I am kidding..... I dont have any real suggestions for you and I am sorry bc I usually dont have issues when I take them out by myself.....

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

i keep my kids in the stroller still, but sometimes they want out,

they fight in shopping carts but i keep doing it. i have to get stuff done, they have to learn to eventually get along. i just try and stay calm and say over and over and over be nice.

i take my kids out all the time....at least 4-5 days a week. you will figure it out

are there any doubles out there that hold their weight??

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

ETA: my kids don't really like the stroller, when we pull into the parking lot my DD instantly starts to say no stroller. i usually have to wrestle her in it and then i brie her with a lollipop or snack to stay in there but she is ok after that. they know when it is just me and them out i mean business.....no getting out. they aslo know when DH is with us they can easily bribe him to let them out!!

Re: How do you DO IT!!?????

My DS is almost 4 and I dread the day when the girls reach that age.

My girls are 10 months old and are very good about staying in the stroller. I do not pick one up ever, otherwise the other wants up too.

DS is pretty good with walking and staying near me. When we are in parking lots/street he knows he has to hold the stroller.

I've only visited playgrounds with fences since DS was little. Great tip!

I don't really have any advice other than stay firm with what you expect of them and eventually they *should* fall in line. Consistency is KEY.

If you want them in the stroller make them stay in the stroller. Start with walks around the neighborhood so they learn what to expect. I hate to say it, but I think it's sort of like dog obedience training LOL