Being late

Hello!
I am expecting twins and they are my first children. I have a quick question for ya'll. I am wondering how reasonable it is be prepared so that you are not always late. Most of my friends with children are always late and I am just wondering if this just goes with the territory or if there are some lessons learned to try not to be late all the time. Just want to be realistic in my expectations of myself and others

TIA!

 

late for what, gatherings? Before babies, my bf and I were never late for anyting. We're very prompt people.

Now you have two babies to dress, get into car seats, get a bag packed with enough for two and depending on how long you will be gone for. Plus getting ourselves ready.

We give an extra 30 min alone just to get the twins ready and out the door.

 

I try and pack the diaper bag with as muchas possible, if not everything, THE NIGHT BEFORE! This is absolutely essential on days that I have to work and get them to the sitter. Same goes for "fun" outtings, and if anything at all (chairs, canopy, etc), can be loaded in the van the night before, even better! If it works out we try and time our departure around nap time because they always sleep good in the car!

 

That is a great tip about packing up things the night before.

Yes - just in general if you need to be somewhere at a specific time - dinner with friends or family, doctor apts, etc.

 

QUOTE(JessicaD @ Mar 19 2008, 09:58 AM) [snapback]677097[/snapback]
we try and time our departure around nap time because they always sleep good in the car!


that is the hard part in the beginning with feeding every two-three hours. It's hard to plan when to leave or arrive so it doesn't interfere with feeding times

 

I keep the diaper bag packed and restock with things when I get home from the trip so its ready for the next one. Plus I keep stuff in the car so we have it handy (including the stroller). The first couple of times it will take longer to get everyone out the door, but soon you'll develop a routine and it won't be so difficult. GL with the rest of your pg!

 

For us I just build a lot of flex time into the schedule. If you appointment is at 3 and it take 30 minutes to get there. I start getting ready at 1:30. I would feed them quickly and then load them up.

I hate being late!

 

I think the key is planning ahead. I too keep a diaper bag ready but when we go somewhere that requires more than that I make a list the night before and try to get as much ready as possible. I think that if you are conscious about not wanting to be late you should be ok. I also set the clock in my car 10 minutes fast. I am not really sure what it accomplishes but it makes me feel like I have a 10 minute cushion.

My MIL's kids are all grown up and she is still always at least a 1/2 hour late for everything. It drives me UP THE WALL so I make sure to be on time for everything. Late people are actually one of my major pet peeves. I know that sometimes being late is inevitable but being late ALL THE TIME is just plain rude.

Wow - sorry for that rant - issues

 

Being late is my pet peeve! Before marrying DH I would literally hyperventilate if I was 5 mins late for a party or anything. Now, I've learned it's okay not to show up right at 7 for a party, though I'm usually there within 15 mins. So, I always build 30 mins into my schedule. I also pack the diaper bag either the day before or during their nap time (if going somewhere later in the day). Even with surprise poopy diapers, I'm usually the first person anywhere I go (except when I meet with Outnumbered and then I seem to be late!). When I was pregnant, I made a promise to myself that I would never be that person who blamed tardiness on their kids. It just takes more planning!

FWIW: I'm usually 10-20 mins early now so it's possible.

 

I am so glad to hear this! Being late is a pet peeve of mine as well and I thought well maybe that just goes out the window with kids. It’s good to know that with some planning and being conscientious of your schedule it can be done. Thanks ladies!

 

I, too, hate being late, so like a lot of others said, I just have flex time in my schedule. If I need to leave the house at 1pm to be somewhere on time (or on time for me, which is usually about 10 min early), then I tell myself I need to have everything ready to walk out the door at 12:30. If there is a surprise poop or something, I have the time. If nothing happens, then I'm just a little earlier than I thought I'd be! (If I'm going to someone's house I try not to show up very early, but will just take the long way and enjoy the drive.)

 

I have always been punctual and twins hasn't changed that. It just requires a little preplanning and leaving extra time to get out the door.

 

I have two bags for this very reason! I always try to leave at least 30 to 45 minutes early for appts so I am not late.

I have my last minute bag that I just grab and walk out the door.
I usually have the following in it:
Diapers
Wipes
Powdered Formula
Cereal
Sippy cup for each
Bottle for each
2 outfits each (2 heavy and 2 light)
A thermometer
1 bottle of motrine
1 bottle of tylenol
2 measuring syringes
orajel
1 gerber dinner (they split one)
2 spoons
2 bibs
socks
2 blankets (light)

The other diaper bag depends on the trip and for how long we will be gone and I just add what I need the night before we have to leave. This one lets me plan and this diaper bag is one of the new ones made by Jeep. This thing is huge! And it works well for long travel or all day trips to the zoo. I paid $20.00 for it at wal-mart. Not a bad deal for something so sturdy. Anyway! I hope that this helps you!

Lots of love!
Meshell

 

If you are a person that likes to be on time, then I bet you will continue to do so. I am like that and although in the early months it took a little tweaking due to feeding schedules, I figured out what works for me to get us all out of the house on time and we are very prompt almost all the time.

 

I agree, I can count on one hand the number of times I have been late since having the twins. If you like to be on time or early it is doable. But 30 min extra is what I plan also. You will get good at it. I am always going places by myself so I know what I have to do. Having the diaper bag ready is a great tip. People say to do it when you get home, but I never have the time then but I do it the night before, or a couple of hours before so I won't have to worry about that. I keep the stroller in the car at all times. You can do it and just be prepared with everything you need so you won't be late.

 

I start planning an outing a few days before, and always pack as much as possible the night before. I found it really hard to be on time to anything for the first 3 months as I was getting used to it all, but we pretty much are on time now. You just have to be super efficient and plan, plan, plan.

 

I'll play devils advocate here. I breastfed two twins and had two older ones, and even IF (miracle of micacles) both twins were fed and happy, they the older girls were undressed and unfed. I was always late.

SIL had twins 8 weeks after me and tried 4 times to get to church for the first time. The first week one threw up on themselves on the way and they went home. The second week they got ready so late after getting up early to try that they gave up. The third week one child screamed so much in the car by the time they got halfway there they turned around and the fourth week they got all the way to church only to realize they had forgotten their diaper bag and went home. The fifth time they tried, they got there. Late, but they got there. I considered that an accomplishment!

Sorry. That's just life with twins.

 

I'm never late. It's a pet-peeve like PP's say. I think it's funny that this is a concern of yours before you even have them...so something I would worry about. You'll figure it out. Plan ahead, pack ahead like suggested, but most importantly cut yourself some slack. Putting your babies first will mean you will be late at some point or another...it's part of being a good mom. While I'm not a late person...I do find that having twins is an awesome excuse- people rarely give you flack for anything...you have twin infants for goodness sake.

 

Being "late" isn't something that HAPPENS TO YOU... I've always had a problem with people who are "running late.." For whatever reason, it's like an excuse.. Not in my book... I remember when I was watching Dr. Phil a few years ago and he said it best.... "Being late is passive aggressive behavior... Because it IS in your control." (I'm talking about HABITUAL lateness... not once in a while..)

Anyway, it's like anything... having twins or shoveling your driveway-- just plan ahead and start earlier. I have NEVER been late in the whole 6 months that I've had these two... I just start earlier!!

It can be done! And being late once in awhile is FINE and people understand for sure!! It's the CHRONIC late person who bothers people!! Take care and try not to worry--- it WILL fall into place especially if you WANT to be on time!

 

I am NEVER late, even with the babies. I have always been early, and even with 2 babies to get ready I am still always early. It is definitely possible, ask anyone who knows me. I just never make any plans to be anywhere before 9 am, and since my babies get up for the day at 6 am, if I need to start getting ready after they eat at 6, then that's what I do.

Edited to add: The first couple of times I tried to take the babies out it was a big ordeal and we were a little bit late - I remember the fiasco of bringing them to their first doctor's appointment when they were only a few days old. But every time I bring them out somewhere it gets a little easier.

 

QUOTE(mommymeg @ Mar 19 2008, 01:56 PM) [snapback]677229[/snapback]
Even with surprise poopy diapers, I'm usually the first person anywhere I go (except when I meet with Outnumbered and then I seem to be late!). When I was pregnant, I made a promise to myself that I would never be that person who blamed tardiness on their kids. It just takes more planning!

FWIW: I'm usually 10-20 mins early now so it's possible.


:rotflmbo: That's okay Megan !

I was just telling Megan that I seem to always be more than 15 minutes early or more than 15 minutes late. I still have not perfected this timing thing. I usually give myself an extra 30 minutes, BUT half the time the girls are angels and I don't need that extra time so I'm early OR they want to have a nursing marathon AND spit up on their clothes AND dirty their diapers :laughing:. I have little extremists! The hardest thing for me is nursing on demand, I have to allow time to try to feed them before we leave - sometimes they're hungry then and sometimes they're not.

 

I am very organized (that helps) but I'm never late. I plan ahead, know where I am going etc. Maybe start getting ready a little earlier. I wouldn't stress if I were late because I think with twins people would understand.

 

I'm actually less late now that I have children. I've become much more organized and efficient since having them, and much to everyone's surprise, I'm usually running on time now.

 

Lateness is definitely a pet peeve.

Now, I will say, early on when bfing, I was sometimes a tad late but I would try to plan a feeding in enough time so I wouldn't be late (i would always have the diaper bag ready the night before or earlier in the morning, have myself dressed and ready, have the boys dressed before taking a nap so all I would have to do would be change a diaper and feed, and have the stroller and other "equipment" loaded in the vehicle).

Now that we're older, I don't have those issues. I always have a diaper bag ready to go (too many emergency trips to the doctor or ER) so all I have to do is throw in a couple of bottles (sippy cups now). I keep snacks in the bag too just in case.

When they were younger and transitioning to formula, I kept those single serve formula things in the bag too...those were great (they make a 4 oz bottle) because you don't have to use it within 30 days like an open canister of formula so I could just keep them in there and not worry about how long it had been sitting in the bag.

 

I am never late for anything. In my entire life, I have been late to an appointment ONE time. Ever. And I was stuck in really hella bad closed the highway traffic.

Having kids and not working means I have even more time to NOT be late!!! And I breastfeed.

The keys for me: starting the night before, pack the diaper bag and make plans for how to get to the appointment. Take into account the travel time and any potential stops for fuel or the ATM machine for parking money, etc. Add 15 minutes extra travel time for anything under 10 miles, 20 minutes for under 20 miles, and 30 minutes for anything else. (I live near Atlanta, so traffic is always unpredictable)

Be prepared to bare boob in public. Pack extra pacifiers in the diaper bag in case tandem feeding is too awkward in the location I'm going. Have two extra outfits in the diaper bag just in case.

An hour to 45 minutes before its time to leave, offer the boys a feeding. Change diapers, dress them, load into carseats. Carseats by the door, dogs in crates. Check the doors to make sure the house is locked. Carseats down the stairs in the car, grab a water bottle from the fridge in the garage and go.

It can take us all day to be ready to go somewhere, but we're never late.

 

Funny question! DH and I found that we were actually rarely late when our babies were little. I am a planner and like to be prepared. It took some extra work, but we were usually on time.

Then the girls turned two (or thereabouts) and started having opinions about what they wear, what they do, whether to walk or be carried, etc. It's much harder to be on time when you cant' just pick them up and do things to them -- you have to persuade them to cooperate. So now, we are usually late.