how do you go anywhere...

hello! i haven't written or been on here in a while because, as you all know, life's pretty busy with 3 little kids! my boys are about 4.5 months old now and are doing great. they are both big and healthy! my daughter, almost 3, is a great big sister and 'helps' me out as much as she can.

my question is for those of you with an older child (2-3ish) and twin babies. how do you go anywhere in public with the three of them alone? i've had a good amount of success going places while they are in their infant car seats, but my bigger boy is about to be too big and tall for the infant seat and will be moving to the car seat that doesn't just snap in the snap-n-go stroller. what am i going to do then? haha. he's not old enough to sit up, so sitting him in the cart at the grocery store won't work. we have another double stroller, but that won't fit much in it. my daughter is getting better about staying with me in the store, thank goodness! what do you all do?

i know i'll have to do the majority of grocery shopping when my husband can watch the kids, but right now he's in training where he's only home on the weekends.

what do you think?? thanks! and Merry Christmas to all of you!!!

 

First, your 4.5mo is too big for an infant seat? My oldest (a big chunk) was in that for well into the first year if I remember correctly. Granted, he didn't ride in it in stores once he could sit up, but that was much later than 4.5mo.

As for shopping, some stores (like Target) have those carts w/ the upright seats attached. Those are handy for a "loose" toddler. My 3.5 yo behaves pretty well in stores so he walks now. I put both carseats in the cart (one in the seat and one in the main area). I have several cloth bags that I've attached carabiners to. I clip these on the outside of the cart and put my groceries in them. The bonus is that I can sort as I shop. i.e., frozen all together, etc. That way, if there is a meltdown once I get home (often there is) I can just throw all of the perishables in the fridge/freezer without sorting thru 10 bags and then deal with the rest when the babies are napping or whatever. It works GREAT for us (although we are quite the spectacle, esp. if DS decides to "ride" on the cart! lol). I use the lower rack and the open kid's seat for other big stuff.

Eve

 

I will be completely honest I don't go anywhere alone with my 3 kids in public, especially in the winter. It is just to stressful and not worth it to me right now. In the summer I took my three to the beech one day but I was able to contain the little ones in their stroller and play with their older brother. I Have never taken all of my kids with me grocery shopping. I am lucky because I have a lot of family near by so they come and watch the kids when I have to go get groceries or run any other erands. I have taken just the twins out in public but they are a lot easier to handle because they stay put! My grocery shopping is my ME time during the week and I love it. It is usually the only time I get to myself. I would suggest getting people to come over and watch your kids while you step out if you are able to. If not then getting your DH to pick up groceries is another option I use often. I do take my kids out for walks but we live in the country so I don't have to worry about traffic or the older one running away and getting hurt or stolen. I say go with what works for you.

 

I too am wondering if your little one is really too big for the infant seat, ours were rated up to 32 pounds and my 18 month old still doesn't weigh that.

Our twins are 3.5 months and we have an 18 month old as well. We don't have a triple stroller so during the week when its just me I can go to 2 stores in town that have the 2 tiered carts. My 18 month old sits in front, one infant seat on top tier and 1 on bottom tier and then I put a basket underneath the cart to hold our items. I have seen people just lay their babies in the carts with a blanket under them too. I am dying to get a valco twin trimode with a toddler seat attachment, maybe it would work for you. It can't hold infant seats with the toddler attachment but you said you're moving 1 twin out of their infant seat anyway so this just may work well for you. Good luck, its super stressful but getting out every once in a while is absolutely a must with 3 small kiddos! Good luck!

ETA: What about a double stroller and put one baby and the toddler in it and wear the other baby in a sling or carrier, or do the same with a cart.

 

well, the infant seat that i have says that it fits a child who is up to 21 lbs and 26 in. one of my sons just weighed in at 19lb8oz and 26in at his 4 month checkup. the other one was 17lb 14oz and was 24.5 in long. we have the graco snugride car seats and i'm going by what the sticker says on the side of the car seat. so...i'm pretty sure, by their weight gain so far, that they will be too big for those seats soon. that is, if i follow the instructions on the side of the seat.

 

wow are they big (tall) for their ages? I am short and have only ever had short/petite girls lol. My boy twin is my first boy and its so cute to me that he has much larger feet and hands than his sis, guess I'm not used to boys yet heehee.

 

I have this stroller set up and it was an absolute must to get out with all 3 by myself. I needed containment for my 2 YO. I would try and get out. Pack your bags the night before and make a run for it after their morning bottle. Give your 3 YO breakfast in the car if need be. Try going to the mall or Target. Walk around, get some coffee if you drink it, and then load up and go home. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

 

I would seriously consider getting a new infant seat. Graco makes a bigger seat that is rated up to 32 lbs. I specifically bought them to replace myy snugride because I don't want to move to a regular carseat until winter is over and my boys are walking. I can't fathom going out in public with all four of mine w/out using the snap and go.

 

At 4 months, you can prop them up to sit in the cart. For my oldest, I used a cart seat cover and belted him tight enough that it held him stable. You could then leave the smaller on in his cart seat carrier and put him in the cart. I'd also go with the car cart, because it gives you a place to put the 3 year old.

 

I just wanted to add that I bought the bigger buckets but it was a total waste of my money. I found the boys to be to heavy and it was awkward and painful to carry them around in the buckets. We switched to convertible rear facing car seats and I love it. When I do take just the twins in I put them in their double stroller(BOB side by side) and pull a cart behind us.I guess you could probably put the older child in the cart that you pull but I have never tried it.I would have to say that if I didn't have my BOB I probably wouldn't take the twins out much either but it is so easy to steer even with one hand which makes it really nice.

 

First of all, it's totally possible to outgrow the infant seat by 6 months, my oldest dd did height wise! So I believe you.

Secondly, I wouldn't purchase the bigger infant seats because, as a pp mentioned, they are HEAVY. Add in a 20+ lb baby and it's just not worth the hassle.

Thirdly, I moved my twins to their bigger convertible seats at 3 months because I was tired of toting around 2 infant seats and my babies were getting heavy too!

Fourthly, I have 10 month old twins and a 3.5 yr old, and I've been getting out of the house by myself since they were about 10 wks old with all 3 kids. When they were still in the infant seats, I used the snap n go for them and my dd (she was a little over 2.5 when they were born) would hold my hand or the side of the stroller. When we switched them to convertible seats I immediately bought this combi twin stroller to use for the twins. I love it, and even though they were only 3 months old, the seats fully recline and there is even a fabric liner that you can velcro around the front rests to keep their feet inside and warm. I use this for the twins and hold my dd's hand. Shopping can be a challenge, but i can push this stroller with one hand, and pull the shopping cart behind me with the other hand. My dd either rides in the big part of the cart, holds onto one of the sides or the back (where the normal handle is), or she walks beside the stroller. Yep, we are a wide load and take up lots of room, but I get tons of "pity you" looks from people, which also makes them MOVE out of my way when I'm coming through! :laughing:

It's hectic, it can be stressful, but I always go into it with the attitude that if we start having a meltdown, we come home So far, we haven't had to do that! And every second week I do the shopping like this myself, my hubby works every second friday and we do grocery shopping on fridays!

 

I have 6 month old twins boy and girl. My boy is HUGE and doesn't fit in the infant car seat anymore and he isn't at the point where he can sit by himself. My girl is small so I think she will be in the infant seat probably up to 1 year at the rate she is going. I do have a HUGE almost 3 year old (next month)boy. I don't leave the house much AT ALL. It is just too much of a hassle, especially with the winter here, too cold. Sometimes I go over to my friends house who is also a SAHM. She has a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old.

I wish I could get out more just too much effort for now. I did try to go shopping with all 3 twice. I really don't like that at all.

I hope it gets better when the winter is over. UGH!

 

thanks for all of the input ladies! i don't think i'm going to put more money into an infant seat that will have a higher weight capacity because, like someone else said, they are heavy! i have some huge arm muscles from carrying the little chunkers!

my aunt bought us a double stroller for Christmas and i'm not sure if i'm liking it. i haven't put them in it yet, but i think i would have preferred to have a side by side one. what are your opinions? you think a side by side would be better? hmm...

 

Glad to read your post. I am still struggling with this. My daughter is just past her 2nd birthday and twins are 4 months and it is a real challenge to go anywhere alone. I have the valco twin w/the toddler jump seat so I can handle local trips to the park, etc. but my babies don't really like the stroller and spend most of the time screaming so it has become just too stressful to go out much! I use the snap and go still too for car trips and then just hold my daughter's hand, but that is just to go to things like the doctors or a book store, I would not attempt to grocery shop with the three! What I do is order from peapod.com an online grocer that delivers. Even if you don't have access to peapod, there are generally delivery services for many grocers you can put an order in. It saves huge amounts of stress! anyway, hope you get through it! Must be hard not having your DH available..

 

Yeah we had the safeseat with our singleton and found it too big and cumbersome and heavy so with the twins we got snugrides just for that reason. I am interested in how a SBS rates against the tandem too. For those of you with younger babes that use the strollers without the infant seats do you find its a pain when they are always waking up to be transferred in and out? I LOVE how I can move the babes undisturbed in their infant seats.

 

I am in the same boat with a three year old and 3 month old twins. I would LOVE to get out more, but it's so not worth it to me. The only place I have taken all three is to my daughter's playgroup which meets weekly. Even then, I was exhausted when we got home. Plus, it's very cold here. I am looking forward to warmer weather so we can get outside more.

 

I don't go anywhere by myself with the 5.5 month twins and an almost 3 year old...sounds way more exhausting then it's worth!! Plus, as PP have said it's cold here and trying to get everyone out of the house is more hassle then what it's worth. I will take them out if we are going to meet up with someone who can help, but that's the only time. Other then that I always have someone with me.

My DH and I make quick trips to the grocery store all week long and never really do a BIG shopping trip. I agree that maybe this spring it will be a little easier, but I don't plan on ever taking all 3 unless I HAVE to!

Good luck!

 

:FIFblush: um...i haven't taken just the twins and my 3 year old anywhere by myself...the twins will be 5 months old on the 31st...last week was the first time ever that i took just the two of them anywhere by myself..having a large crew comes in handy for outings! i usually take the stroller and have one of the olders push that while i push the cart for the groceries, that's if i take the kids with me at all! my recommendation is to bring a double stroller and put the twins in it and then have your 3 year old in the grocery cart and pull the cart...i know at walmart, not sure at other stores, but if you ask for assistance in your shopping they will send a cashier around the store with you...when i worked there we did that quite frequently for shoppers who had difficulties doing it on their own...i'd consider trying to wrangle all three kids a "difficulty"! :laughing:

 

I have a girl who will be 3 in April and six month old twin girls.

I have 2 Graco Snugride 32s and a Graco Quattro Tour Duo double stroller.

I had a Snugride with ODD, but we had to get Snugride 32s for BOTH girls because the 32 has three harness positions and the regular Snugride only has two, so the straps on the regular Snugride were too big for the girls- they were peanuts.

Anyway, I don't notice them being that much heavier, but then again, I don't drag them around in the buckets. I take the buckets from house to van and from van to stroller. I can plug both seats into the stroller, and I can also plug in one seat and have ODD sit in the stroller. In that case, I Bjorn the other twin.

I try to do most of my shopping when she is at preschool because she is going through a grabby phase. She is very busy!

But if we stay in the house, everyone tends to get restless. We do MUCH better if we go out, so I try to go somewhere every day even if we have nothing planned.

 

That's one of the reasons I decided to sell my double snap and go and get the duoglider although I have yet to be that adventurous as to wear one of the babes in public, plus its soooo cold here right now that its easier to leave them in their buckets.

I wish I could get out every day, I used to with my singleton for the same reason you mentioned. I still try to get out at least once during the week bymyself and then every weekend day with my hubby's help.

 

Here is a slightly cheaper option to the valco w/ toddler seat. Get a Baby Jogger City Series Double, put the babies in the seats and then have your older shild ride on the foot rest in the front. I have 11 mth old twins and an almost 3 year old. We have been using this set up for about 6 mths and it works great. You might be able to find a 2009 model Baby Jogger on sale right now as well.

 

I go shopping with all 5 kids regularly - if I didn't I'd go nuts.

I've always put my kids into the convertibles by 4mths - they always outgrow them by height, and now with the duo, altho they are not growing out by height I find it more convenient and comfy for them in the stroller. I do one of two things - what the above quote says - stroller and cart, or another option I found if I needed room in the vehicle for the groceries and didn't have space for the stroller was to toss the infant seats in the truck, then put the babes into the seats in the cart - who cares if they are too tall for it while driving, they can still sit in them with the harness hooked up so they don't roll out just for a ride in the shopping cart. Then I push that cart and pull the grocery cart behind me. Now that my older child is 7 I get HER to push the grocery cart so its a bit easier.

We have a Valco Trimode - I LOVE it as the seats recline completely, and at different heights so you can have them up a bit, and when they doze off you can lower them down. The new ones are even better and have 'fixed' all the quirks from the model I have.

 

You can do it!!! My DH works a lot and so when he is home, I don't want to be running to the grocery store...I'd rather spend that time with him. I have three kids and I have a one Graco Snugride and one SafeSeat. One of my girls is about to outgrow the snugride. Here are a few things I've done, maybe one will work for you:
- One cart: Either both in infant seats (one in the front, one in the back turned sideways - that way I can put groceries under her seat) OR one in the seat strapped in (and propped up when younger) and one in an infant seat in the back. Or, one in an infant seat in the front and wearing the other. DS has to walk with this option.
-Two carts: push the cart with the babies in it, pull cart with the groceries (and possibly DS) in it. I am not very coordinated and do tend to run over my heel a lot with the cart behind me.
-Stroller and CArt - I have the duoglider and sometimes feel like a train trying to maneuver through the aisles, but it gets the job done and i feel like I've exercised some too!

I do most my grocery shopping at Walmart or Sam's Club. Sam's Club is very nice now that my girls are sitting up great since their carts have the two seats up front (and my DS loves to sit in the back on the box of diapers!). Our Walmart does not have a double seat cart, so I guess pretty soon I'll be using the stroller once my littlest girl outgrows her infant seat.

Good luck!!

 

I have 8 week old twins and a very busy "drive mom insane" 2 year old son. I have gone out with all 3 a few times. I always put DS in my Baby Bjorn carrier (he is the fussier one), DD's carseat in the cart and my toddler usually holds my hand or stands near by - sometimes he will sit in the big part of the cart too - Not perfect, but it works. Even when I take the two of them by myself, I always put one in the carrier.

 

again, thanks for all of the input! i'm sure i'll use some of your suggestions and manage! i have put them both in the cart (one seat in the front and one turned sideways in the back), but you can't fit much in the cart! our walmart is right next to sam's club. one day there was a sam's club cart at the walmart and i was in heaven! i could fit all 3 of the kids in the cart and still had plenty of room for the food! (the cart has enough room for a car seat and my dd to sit in the front and then my other son's seat in the back!) walmart should carry these carts too!

when the boys were smaller i carried one in the carrier, but they are too heavy now for me to carry around like that. and...they have some chubby legs. i feel like the front carrier cuts off their circulation! :laughing:

thank you all! happy new year!