How do you leave the house??

[thegrumpydinosaur]

Apologies, I'm tired and grouchy so I don't even know if I'm looking for advice or just a place to moan (probably the latter).

I'm supposedly adapting to life as a mum of 2. Baby #2 is a few weeks old and we are in need of days out to keep the older one entertained, but leaving the house is like mission impossible.

We're due to meet a friend tomorrow morning, location is approx 1hour drive away from home. It will be a long busy day. I need an early night but it's already too late to be an early night, and there are still a million things to organise ready for tomorrow.

Do I run around and try and do everything tonight, or do I get some sleep and hope I've got time to do everything tomorrow? Nope, I do neither, because baby is not cooperating and wants cuddles / feeding every 10 seconds. I'm getting tempted to cancel the whole thing, but I know we'll enjoy it once we're there.

Where is my magic wand when I need it?

Okay, so why do you need to do a million things? Which of these things is actually essential.

Milk and banana for breakfast for toddler. Give it in the car of you have to.

Pack bag before you go to bed, nappies, wipes, change of clothes etc, add drinks and formula if you're giving formula in the morning.

Dress kids and yourself and stick kids in the car, don't overthink it. Do any housework etc when you get back, or just don't do it.

No doubt the baby will do a shit right before you're ready to drive off/get in car. Take it in your stride, quick change and off you go. Once you get out its easy, toddler has a great time, baby sleeps in sling/pram and you fee like you're actually free from having a baby stuck on your day.

Have a great day tomorrow.

on you all day

Not much use right now but in future - keep a spare bag in the car with any nappies/ wipes/ spare clothes you might need. Top this up as soon as you use anything so it's always there and ready. If you forget anything you'll always have an emergency supply.

Pack anything you can the night before. Put it in the boot of the car if you can! Lay clothes out for the kids to just pop on. Put shoes on when getting the big one dressed!

Get dressed yourself as soon as you get up - kids can wait the 10 minutes it takes for you to put on some clothes and brush your teeth.

Get kids in the car before trying to organise anything else. That way they're strapped in and not able to empty bags/ hide your keys/take their clothes off/ run away etc.

We're due to meet a friend tomorrow morning, location is approx 1hour drive away from home. It will be a long busy day. I need an early night but it's already too late to be an early night, and there are still a million things to organise ready for tomorrow.

Why would you arrange this, when you have a baby who is a few weeks old ?
How old is dc1 ?
What is your dp doing whilst you are feeding / cuddling dc2 but feeling frustrated that you can't get on top of what you feel needs doing before you go tomorrow ?

Thanks all. Yes I probably am making it worse by adding in extra bits like cleaning the kitchen and getting the washing on. Baby has had a few clingy days so I'm feeling bad about being massively behind with housework.

Got some bits sorted, still need to pack a picnic but that can wait until morning.

DP is at work so can't blame him for not helping.

@BackforGood because I'm bonkers! I might be being a bit ambitious, but I'm desperate to be out and see people and not go crazy day in the house. Also, older one really deserves some good days out, I was a tired grump towards the end of pregnancy and absolutely no fun at all.

Go to bed and rest, Sid the housework it will still be there another day. Don't pack a picnic, just shove a snack in your bag for your dc1 and buy something when you're out.
Pack sunscreen and have a lovely day.

Agree @anothermansmother no picnic, get some food when out. I must be a crap mother, but we haven't done a picnic yet, we always get something when out.

How old is dc1 ?

If he is toddler / infant sort of age, then he doesn't need "good days out" - to a little one, a trip to the local park to feed the ducks or kick a ball around is as exciting as traveling an hour the car to go somewhere else.

In hot weather, a couple of bowls / buckets of water in the garden whilst you sit and deal with the little one is a lot of fun.

Your dp might be at work this evening, but presumably he doesn't work 24/7, so things like the washing can fall to him if you are breastfeeding and he doesn't have much he can do with the baby. Kitchen cleaning can be left.

Your baby is tiny! You're being way too hard on yourself! ( I was just the same!)
Cut some corners. Pack the essentials and buy food if that makes things easier. Just because your DH works doesnt mean he cant put a wash on does it?
Have fun tomo.

I have 3DC. People always comment how calm and chilled we are and I think it's partly to do with 'cutting corners'. We always buy food when we're out, even sandwiches will be shop bought etc. Make breakfast really simply if you're on a deadline - a pastry, it can be taken into the car if need be. Ready made milk if bottle feeding baby.
Leave the tidying for now - this one I find hard as I'm always shoving a wash on right before we leave the house.
Also get used to being late!! Hope you have a good day.

You can have everything organised.
You can be showered and well dressed.
You can have perfectly turned out children.
You can have children who are well fed.
You can have a tidy house.

But you can't achieve it all, every day.

If you forget wipes, forget snacks, forget a nappy etc, the world will not collapse. And chances are, no one will notice.

Your children will not thank you for getting everything perfect, they will thank you for getting out of the house and having a fun day.

I survived! It was a good day, glad we did it. And I was only a tiny bit late.

Thanks for all the suggestions, definitely taking all available short cuts next time.

Well done! It will get easier the more you do it. Here's to more fun days out!