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Original poster

CM Club: Walking 3 under 3's - need some advice please.........

37 replies

looneytune · 21/01/2008 19:13

I thought I had the school run all worked out today. This is what was SUPPOSED to happen:

11 month old - double pram
13 month old - double pram
2.6 yr old - walking with reins
2 x 4 years old walking holding hands/onto pram

Well, had a go earlier at trying the reins on toddler so could get them adjusted to fit ready for the school run, she had a total meltdown and no way was she going to allow me to use them. We'd tried in the past with no problems (playing in the house) so this took me by surprise. I ended up asking another mum if she'd kindly collect my ds for me and walk him to my car!

The only other time I will have these children is next Monday so I did think of maybe asking this lovely mum if she'd help again that one other day (think she will if she can as she can see what a struggle it would be as toddler also doesn't do holding hands 100% of the time which is too risky, plus she knows I'm pregnant and think would like to help). But what if I do need to go with them all next week, any idea's of how to get round this? Also, I will have similar aged children on Wednesdays from the week after next (10 month old, 11 month old, 2.4 yr old and 2 x 4 yr olds) so was wondering what options I have. I will find out if this other toddler is a good walker, used reins etc. before she starts but if not, I presume it's just a triple buggy? Or can you get ANY buggy boards onto double prams?

Any thoughts would be fab thanks

By the way, please don't worry about the ages, I have a variation for the 2 under 1's and the 2 4 yr olds go to school all day so are classed as over 5's

TIA x

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maximummummy · 21/01/2008 23:33

when i was preg with ds my bump used to get really hard and tight esp. if i was walking doing anything strenuous? i think pregnancies of 2nd and subsequent babies take quite a toll on your muscles even with a big gap - 10years between dd and ds

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 22:28

Mo - he's had his turn and I'm back His first day was today!

Maxi - Yeah, I'm beginning to think that too!!! I AM going to try the rein ideas out but I'm guessing (knowing mindee) that it's going to take a lot longer than 2 days to get her sorted so probably not going to help for Monday but hey, you NEVER KNOW! .

My bump has finally relaxed (after getting really hard and tense earlier for some reason Going to go to bed with a cupa of ovaltine I think.

Thanks again people

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maximummummy · 21/01/2008 22:13

oh this is what i did with ds to get him to use reins and walk further

pretend he was a dog he loved it as he can pretend to be doggie for hours!!!!!

maximummummy · 21/01/2008 22:09

oh my god LOONEY you are a looney to take on so much!! you must be exhausted at end of day - all i can say is thank god your stroppy mindee leaves next week! Although i've seen you've had her 2 years(sorry as i bet you'll miss her)

i haven't read whole post so can't really advise but wanted to offer my sympathy for your crappy day

i find it hard enough with a 2.11y & 3.3y & ds(3) i feel i need an extra set of arms like some hindu godess!! It's even worse when we all take the dog out for walk too - it's always such a relief to get where we're going

MaureenMLove · 21/01/2008 21:34

See, told you, you'd done everything I might suggest! I'm sure you'll come up with something and if the sh*t really hits the fan, you can at least call on this other mum to nip in and get DS for you.

Now, get off the laptop, DH neeeeeds it! When's the job start? Don't answer that! You haven't got time!

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:30

Shoshe - I'll have to look those up. Just can't afford to be splashing out on all sorts so need to think what I need and stick with that. Dh may be working for the next 2 months but til he's got a perm job, I need to watch the pennies! Especially as I'll be having 12 weeks off soon!

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Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:29

Mo - we have had the reins in the playroom dressing up box (I have to open) for well over a year now, 2 sets, purely for playing horsey. This is why I thought we'd be ok but then again, she's only wanted them on a couple of times so maybe I shouldn't have assumed she'd stay being ok with them. And as for making cakes and all that, no, it wouldn't work. She's not one for doing all this sort of stuff, I've ONLY JUST managed to get her to finally use playdoh! I never force children to do something they don't want to do. Anyway, I'm thinking for the sake of one more day, I'll forget this particular situation but it's all useful stuff to think about for when the other toddler starts the week after they leave! I'm hoping she'll be ok, the toddler I have now only started getting like this once the other au pair left and all sorts of people were having children left right and centre and they have just been away on holiday so maybe she was worse today due to that? I don't know, maybe I just need a very large glass of wine.....oh no, I can't can I!!!

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shoshe · 21/01/2008 21:19

I have one on a seat2go and two in a Marco skye 13/14/23 months, but am aboutto go to a 12/14/24 months and the 24 month is tiny, and although she has been on the seat2go, we havnt needed to walk very far (bloody rain) but have decided with the spring comiong (yeah) Im going to buy a second Marco Sky, and clip them together with buggy connectors, then can fit them all in a nd a space for bags,

(and when I have to go up hills, London11 is pushing my Marco combi and Im taking her P&T as Im 5''2 and London 6'' )

MaureenMLove · 21/01/2008 21:18

Oh shit! Don't ask me! I said they've never done it to me, but that's just luck! I bet you've done all the things that I could suggest anyway.

If it had happened to me today, I would be thinking of leaving the reins around in the house to play with. (obviously not unattened for fear of strangling blar, blar, bloody ofsted blar!) Then I'd make a game of the reins. Probably get her to put them on me and take me for a walk in the house. Maybe pretend being a horse! Umm. Bribery maybe. 'Lets make some cakes this morning and then if you're a good girl and wear your reins, we can have one when we come back from school' Let her put some stickers on the reins. Umm. Tell you need a hand pushing the pram, to take her mind of the fact that she's wearing them.

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:17

ML - cheers, will try the connectors that way if need to although dh is insisting he doesn't think it will work - men eh! Will try the reins on baby, good idea, why didn't I think of that???!!! I've got her on the potty by putting baby on potty etc. so worth a try

Got to go, dh needs to get on laptop now! Thanks for all the advice

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Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:14

Saz - PMSL - I'd LOVE to do that 2!!!

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mumlove · 21/01/2008 21:14

Looney - I would try and fit the buggy board or the seat to go, On 1 of my buggies I had to turn the connecters around.
I would also play a game with mindee and put the reins on teds and dolls etc even on the younger mindees if you have more than 1 set. Mindees could then look after ted/doll while in the house. Make it part of the routine that the mindees in the buggy also wear them just incase later they do get out for a walk/crawl.

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:13

Saz - I know where you mean. As for running round the playground, a lot of the problem is her communication skills are not as developed as some her age. She was 2 months prem and MAYBE this has something to do with it? I don't know but all I do know is threats, promises etc. don't work but mainly promises don't as it's like she doesn't really understand what I mean.

berkschick - definitely going to have a try!

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Saz73 · 21/01/2008 21:10

I've always said if a child throws themselves to the floor would love to do as in the ad where's she's in the supermarket, little boy has paddy and she lays on the ground screaming and kicking.....but never had the courage.

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:07

Mo - I hadn't until this one. I've had her since she was 6 months old so 2 years now. I used to go on about how wonderful she was and such a treasure and that she'd never go through the 'terrible 2's' as she was soooo good and always wanting to please - errrr, think I asked for this then eh!

As you're the expert .....what do you do when a child throws themself to the ground? How do you manage to get them up and listen to you?

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berkschick · 21/01/2008 21:07

I had 2 x 13 month in the buggy and 2.3 year old on the buggy board. She wasnt too happy but by holding the middle and one of the outside handles with her in the middle, she couldnt escape! I made a big thing out of it being her special step for a ride etc.

Saz73 · 21/01/2008 21:05

Yeah when DD was first born,f or the first 12-18 mths use to live with MIL and it was just on the little bend before you get to Langley Common Road. Did the school run for 3 years with mindee's It's only since last summer when DD has started school bus and now collect mindee and DD from the bus stop, makes life alot easier. It helped me getting there 10/15 mins earlier and promising them a run around in the playground if they behaved well, this use to work well. Maybe try this??? if you don't already.

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 21:04

Mo - back to just the sisters tomorrow (plus both 4 year olds after school) and yes, could try the reins again but she was hitting me before I even got them on her so that will be fun!! I've basically got the sisters til Wed then Mon-Wed next week (Monday being with my other baby which is where the problem comes). Wednesday next week is the sisters last day.

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MaureenMLove · 21/01/2008 21:01

I've never had a minded child (or my own for that matter!) refuse to do anything for me!

MaureenMLove · 21/01/2008 20:59

So have you got her again this week, without all the others? Could you do some rein training with her this week, even though its not really necessary?

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 20:58

Saz, didn't know you lived on it! It really isn't a nice school run with more than 3 kids!!! And yes, I know what you mean about taking mindees in and them deciding it's time to play up!!!

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Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 20:57

berkschick - I'll try the buggy board on this one, you never know! It didn't work on my old double but they're all different. Yes, I have buggy board and litaf seat to go.

KS - don't worry, I plan on asking the mum right away At least if the worst comes to the worst and I can't manage, I can explain to the toddlers mum as it's only adhoc for couple of months whilst mum is on maternity leave herself. But I want this to work and to not let her down so fingers crossed!

Has anyone had a child not agree to go on a buggy board? My toddler who had the meltdown did the same thing over the buggy board last year when I tried to get her to be on the back of a single - wasn't having any of it!!! So this behaviour must have started earlier than I thought, but it was only that time, everything else she's been fine with until recently.

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Saz73 · 21/01/2008 20:56

LT, the road is a nightmare I use to live on it for 3 years!!!!! Also know the school and how clique it is, I use to hate taking mindee's into school as you have to go into the classroom to collect and my mindee's always knew it was time to play up.

Original poster
looneytune · 21/01/2008 20:52

Mo - I know, I also don't know how on earth I'd afford a triple but then having said that, when I start back in Sept I'll have my own 3ish month old and 2 x 1 year olds so I'll need one then I think (once my own is too heavy for a carrier).

Saz - this is my worry. I don't want people judging me on this one little problem when I'm quite capable of looking after them, it's just one of those problems you have to overcome! If I wasn't pregnant, I'd get one of those sling things that an older child can go in but I can't really with the 'bump' Also Saz, can you see why I'm reluctant to try with her holding on and see how she behaves, considering that road?

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KaySamuels · 21/01/2008 20:51

Ah if she is leaving soon and this will only crop up once more then ask the nice mum, expalining it will be just be that one time. Get new mindee in line straight away, making it clear reigns are not optional. Poor you with her having her a huge tantrum like that! Not what you want in the playground!

My school run is a nighmare walk with unrestrained/untrained children (big curbs up and down, busy roads to cross, walk alongside, in industrial area) I hate it and like you I don't think it's worth the risk. Ask new mindees mum asap how she is with walking, at least you drive so it is only short distances for her.