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Parenting

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Original poster

2 under 2 - how long does it take you to get 'ready' in the morning?

13 replies

TheChickenLady · 15/11/2007 10:59

By ready, I mean all three of you fed dressed and showered and ready to face the day.

I'm lucky if I get it done by midday, and if I ever have an appointment in the morning it becomse a source of great panic getting ready.

Am I a slattern? If I am has anyone got any tips to help us get going sooner?

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beowulf · 15/11/2007 14:22

After feeding DS2, I put him in his bouncer and wake DS1 and change his nappy. I bring them both downstairs and strap DS1 into his highchair and give him his breakfast, then hurriedly put my clothes on hoping fervently that DS2 isn't going to start one of his screaming marathons and DS1 isn't going to do the Jackson Pollock thing with his porridge and the curtains. Needless to say I've got the clothes out ready the night before.

I then put DS2 in the sling (unless he's happy in the bouncer or on his playmat) and clear up the carnage from DS1's meal before slinging some clothes on him. We're usually out of the house (for DS1's nursery) at 8.15ish, with me having got up at around 6, and showered the evening before.

FioFio · 15/11/2007 14:24

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Chopster · 15/11/2007 14:25

yes you are!

I had two under two, and I think it used to take about an hour. Tip - get up and get showered before they get up. Then you can feed them both and get them dressed and ready and you should be set to go.

Mine get up at 7, dd gets showered and the older two get dresssed then they all eat their bfast while I sort out lunches and then do my makeup, then I get the twins changed and dressed and they watch tv while I listen to the older two read/make sure they have everything for the day.

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midnightexpress · 15/11/2007 14:33

Actually, I find the afternoons worse than the mornings. The dss sleep until about 2.30, then get up and cry for a bit, then I get them changed, then ds1 wants stories/food/to do the washing up, while I explain (again) that if we don't go out now it'll be dark and that we can come back and do stories/food/washing-up later. The we have a small tantrum to deal with. Then we shoe-horn everyone into shoes, hats, jackets and get them out of the flat. Then ds1 wants a carry down the stairs, so we have another small 'discussion' in which rubbish mum here tells ds1 he'l have to be a big boy and walk down the stairs because I have to carry ds2. DS1 then wails 'I'm not a big boy. I'm just a small boy.' Small moment of motherly guilt as I agree and apologise. Then we get to the bottom and put ds2 in the car while I extricate the buggy from the boot. get them all in the buggy and off we go. By this time it is more or less dark so we end up on a swift twilit tour of the streets before returning home and doing the whole thing in reverse.

Today's alternative version of teh above to include a trip to the garage to get them to unlock the boot, which seems to have become stuck, with buggy in it.

So, no tips, no. But much sympathy.

Mung · 15/11/2007 14:37

The thought of getting out of the house before 10 is impossible and I can only manage that because DD goes back to bed at 9ish. It has got easier now though...DS is just over 2 and DD is 7 months. In fact, I now also find the evening harder.

My main tip is to not to try and do anything too early...you don't really need to at the end of the day. The thought of having to do the school run with a baby is horrible...at least we'll be OK by then!

Original poster

TheChickenLady · 15/11/2007 14:41

Chopster think you're right about the shower bit - I tend to get up when they get up, and by the time they're both fed and clothed and nappies have been changed it's suddenly half nine, then I faff around and half the day is gone and I'm still in my pyjamas.

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RubyRioja · 15/11/2007 14:43

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Original poster

TheChickenLady · 16/11/2007 12:14

RubyRioja we have just done a schedule for the mornings, and DH has changed shifts to something more normal so he can help with the kids at breakfast time.

The aim is to have us all up and dressed by 8am.

Wish me luck.

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Chaotica · 16/11/2007 16:48

You ladies are quick... It takes me at least 24 hours.

Sam100 · 16/11/2007 17:01

Hey ChickenLady - I have two dds that are 18 mths apart - used to take me forever to get us all ready back then too! I used to try and get showered and dressed before dh went to work otherwise would often be lunchtime.

Just to warn you gets worse as they get older and they start having opinions about what they are going to wear!!! Start training them now! Or get used to the idea of fairy costumes and welly boots being the deemed attire for the weekly shop.

Now both at school so at least that limits the options for dressing but seems to take them at least 5 more minutes than we actually have (however early we start!).

annoyingdevil · 16/11/2007 20:54

Mine are 15 mths apart and we still manage to get to toddler group for 10am. They stand at the bath and play with the water while I have a quick dip. Quick brekkie for both (plus breastfeed for the youngest), dressed, nappies and out the house. Getting their shoes and coats on seems to be the most stressful thing for me

chankins · 16/11/2007 21:00

I have 3 to get out of the house by half eight every day to do school run. Set alarm for half six, get self dressed, washed etc first, or you end up still in dressing gown with messy hair and five mins to go....

Deal with each one as they wake, feed breakfast, do their hair, get dressed at same time.

If they all wake at same time yell at dh to get out of bloody bed and give a hand....

Nemo2007 · 16/11/2007 21:01

Hi
I have a just 4 yr old, 23m old and a 10m old and it takes us from getting up to getting out the door 1hr30mins ish. Thats taking things slowly and not rushing anyone. To take ds to nursery we have to leave the house at 8,35am so I get up at 7am to do hair, brush teeth, dressed breakfast etc. I shower of an evening when the dc are in bed as its easier I do however straighten my hair most mornings. I also unload and reload dishwasher, fold some dry clothes and put on a washing load.

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