Hi Mommies! I recently joined a Mom's Meetup group to help my 2 year old son to meet new friends (and Mommy, too!) I need advice about keeping my 2 year old "within boundaries" while also having my younger infant to care for. (I will probably have my baby in an Ergo carrier.) Anyone who has been there and done that have any tips on being able to manage both infant and toddler at the same time when on a playdate?:) Also, any advice on getting out the door in time for the meetups? Seems like when I have one all ready, the other one needs my attention and I can't get out the door fast enough! Thanks a bunch, Mommies! :)
Thank you all so much for your helpful advice, Moms! I just took my boys to the park today and the Ergo helped, along with having everything ready to go. Sometimes my older son bolts off and runs so I'm thinking of trying more "contained" areas too. We'll just take each outing one at a time and learn along the way! :) Thanks again for all your help!
My twins are 2.5 and we have a two-month-old. As for getting out of the house, I know I just need to start getting ready very early so I can be on time. The last thing I try to do is feed the baby before putting her in the carrier. Once at playdates, I've found my boys actually play pretty well and don't need me. I end up being able to tend to the baby very easily. good luck!
Just give yourself plenty of time before you have to leave and get as MUCH ready the night before as you can - pack the diaper bag, get everyone's clothes laid out, etc.
As for tending to both while you're out, just do what you do at home - take it as it comes. If the baby's happy in the carrier, leave her be. If your son needs you, tend to him. Go over a couple of 'rules' with your son before you go as well. Keep them age-appropriate and things you know he can handle: stay where you can see mommy (if you're outside) is what I always tell my girls.
It's a little daunting and overwhelming at first, but after a few trips you'll get to be a pro at it :) I've got 3 (5, 3 and 9m) and we're just fine.
Start early....get things ready the night before. See if you can do trades (once you get to know and trust the other mothers), so you can drop your two year old off and your knew friends can do the same.
Blessings....
Well whenever I had playdates for my eldest child, with my 2nd child as a baby in tow... it was fine.
The other Moms there.... (they were my friends), ALL help.... with your other child too.
It was never any problem.
1) Get ready way AHEAD of time.
2) Make a LIST of things you need, if you have to, and check it off, before you leave the house. Make this list, the night, before.
3) Keep back ups of things, IN the car. Always. Clothing, diapers, wipes, bags, shoes, snacks.
Have a cooler in the car too... with blue-ice ice packs, to keep it cool. For snacks for your child.
4) ALWAYS, get ready, AHEAD of time, ahead of the time you think you actually have to leave.
5) AND... remember that, it takes at least 5-10 minutes, just to get the car loaded up with the kids AND their things... before you actually get in the car yourself, and start the car and leave, your garage.
SO, factor in that time, too.
6) and consider the time of day... and if there will be traffic.
Well I manage to get 3 out the door LOL The 2 year old likes to get naked the minute we need to walk out the door, or he turns the bathroom sink on and gets all wet. So pack a bag the night before. Have a change of clothes in the car.
The playdate should be in a contained room so that you can watch with your eyes the 2 year old while hanging out with moms and the baby.
I found a playgroup run by the school district. so we were in a classroom in a school. very child friendly adn unbreakable. so my toddler could roam around safely. The baby (4 months- when we started going there) napped in his carset stroller or I carried him in a snuggly.. but by the time he was 6 months he could crawl.. FAST and he was all over theplace.. he ate a lot of crafts that year.. paint glue... he sampled it all.
call a couple of local school districts and see if thereis a playgroup .. There will be a teacher leading the group so the toddler will be entertained by stories songs, and crafts..
Although I have not "been there done that", I do have a toddler that likes to run off and we use a harness on him. That may be a good idea so you are not having to run with your infant strapped onto you.
Keep the diaper bag stocked at all times. All you have to do is add the bottle for the infant right before you walk out the door.
I had a spare change of clothes for both kids in the car at all times.
I got everything ready to go early, so that I could change diapers or "do potty" and run out the door.
Remind your 2 year old that you expect him to play nicely. No hitting. No pushing. No taking toys. I used to tell mine that he'd have one warning, but if he couldn't behave, we would be going home. Some days we left early and other days we stayed a long time. I always brought snacks that he could share with his friends.
Don't play the "what if" game. Just go and take each thing as it comes.
LBC
