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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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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

OP posts:

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southernbelle77 · 21/01/2008 19:25

Well I certainly feel for you LT as it sounds like hard work.
Could you consider getting a tandam pushchair so that you could fit a buggy board on it? Not ideal as more expense. Hopefully the 2.4yr old will be a better walker and not mind having reins on!
Good luck.

MaureenMLove · 21/01/2008 19:29

What about a wrist strap? Would she go for that? Otherwise ....... you're gonna have to show her who's boss! You'll have to play mind games with her, until she does wear the reins.

There is NO WAY you will be able to push 3 children either in a triple or with buggyboard, within just a few months. She's gonna have to learn whose in charge.

juuule · 21/01/2008 19:38

Do you think you might be taking a bit too much on?

KaySamuels · 21/01/2008 19:43

Blimey LT are you a mad woman!

Do you drive to school and then put them in the buggy? Can you have a word with school maybe and ask if anyone would be willing to bring the schoolies to you/ let you park near entrance? Not sure what would be possible obviously.

I agree with MMl you don't want to be pushing three kids! Wht about some lovely princessy reins? Less pricey than a buggy board! May be worth a try!

Ineedaholiday · 21/01/2008 19:57

ive got 2x2.4 yr olds and nearly 2 yr old mindee and use double buggy with reins but I have went into meltdown a few times trying to get to school on time when mindee on reins decided she wouldnt walk.
When i ws pregnant with ds I watched 2 yr old twins but had to make them walk afterr first few months cos it really hurt my back to push double buggy and i was scared incase it hurt the bump.
Ive got a car which helped a lot.
Youll have to show mindees whos boss, a good pushchair and flat road also helps.
Be careful and dont push yourself.
good luck

london11 · 21/01/2008 20:01

Do you have roads to cross and busy areas? Just wondered why the reins thats all? Could the 2.6 year old hold one side of the buggy and the 4 year olds hold hands and other side of buggy? What kind of double do you have? I can push my phil and teds one handed and hold hands with 2.8 year old mindee but I am lucky that just one road to cross then country paths with no cars

london11 · 21/01/2008 20:04

Sorry, just re-read OP and see toddler not good at holding hands! Maybe try school run with mindee holding on with threat of reins/wrist strap if they let go?

Original poster

looneytune · 21/01/2008 20:34

southernb - do you know how good tandams are? I have been toying with the idea of getting one but wasn't sure if could put buggy board at back? Wasn't sure how good they were at getting up curbs?

Mo - I tried to show her whose boss and no, don't think wrisp strap would ork either. Problem is, when she's like that it's proper flopping body on the floor and impossible to do anything with her apart from carry her which wouldn't be an option. She's only recently started behaving like this and we're working on this behaviour but tbh, it's not going to change between now and next week when she leaves. As for the triple, do you mean because of the pregnancy?

juuule - it's fine all the rest of the time, just the school run which is a problem but at least only once a week.

KS - yes drive then get buggy out. Princess reins won't work - just got a lovely new lilac raincoat with flowers but no, she won't use that either, just doesn't want a raincoat full stop! Plus, no point buying anymore when it's only one more day with her then they leave next week.

I do have a buggy board and litaf seat to go but not sure what my options are, they wouldn't fit on my side by side pram (well, don't think anyway). I may well have a word with school but got a feeling they won't give me special treatment

OP posts:

Original poster

looneytune · 21/01/2008 20:39

Ineedaholiday - TRYING not to push myself

London11 - she's going through an extremely stubborn phase and yes, I did think of trying to walk with threat of reins but these sorts of threats don't tend to work with her!! Also, yes, it is a busy road etc. so I was worried about the risk tbh. I'd rather test it out first and see how we get on locally and without being near busy road etc. but again, tbh, not sure it's really worth it for one more day. I will however try it with the other toddler who starts the week after.

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MaureenMLove · 21/01/2008 20:43

Yeah, I just think pushing 3 kiddies is going to be too much for you. Imagine - how much does a small child weigh? 2 st? That's at least 6 stone, plus the pram, plus weigh of unborn baby, you'll be knackered!

Saz73 · 21/01/2008 20:43

Hi LT, I use to do a pick up like this. I use to take 3 under 5's with me to do a school pick up from the local primary school and one in particular use to be a nightmare and a couple of parents started gossiping about how I couldn't/wasn't a very good childminder etc. Maybe it's worth investing in a triple buggy where you can restrain two and if the third one plays up you can always put them in the buggy.

berkschick · 21/01/2008 20:48

I have an umbrella fold double buggy from Mothercare and I have used a buggy board on the back of that. Do you have a buggy board? It might be worth giving it a go to see

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.

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?

OP posts:

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 20:57

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.

OP posts:

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!!!

OP posts:

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?

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!

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.

OP posts:

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.

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.

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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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 21:13

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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