I write this post, not to complain or for your sympathy (but you can give me a little if you want!) but to merely identify the evolving process of going places with twins. I recognize that having 2 or more children (well actually 1 child as well) of any age complicate things and I don't believe this is merely just a twin issue... issues are merely multiplied when there is more then one child of the same age. So read on, enjoy, and just remember (as I try to!) it could be worse- I could have triplets!
Tyson and I are anything but 'homebodies' we love to go places... lots of places and that hasn't changed with kids. We still love to go places as you all have probably been able to recognize from following our blog! Well now Micah and Hallie love to go places. It is a common occurrence to get Micah up from his nap and have him start frantically waving his hand bye-bye. Here he is ready to go after I told him to get his shoes and socks.
Well going 'bye-bye' has always been an ordeal with twins. First it was carrying 2 car seats out to the car (with all of the baby gear x 2), then it was carrying both out to the car, either at the same time or separately depending on where we were, then there was the stroller to the car, which could add one extra step, needless to say its always been a process.
Thankfully the process is getting a little easier with age and independence... or maybe I'm just getting used to it?? Either way, it feels a little easier.
I add the word "little" because we still definitely have our processes and new dilemmas arrive on a regular basis. So here are the scenarios of our current stage-
Scenario 1: They can now walk and hold our hands out to the car which has been SO great, but along with this also comes the desire to walk where they want to walk... which can lead to tears and dragging of feet. Just in case your not getting the full picture here... carrying a diaper bag, bent over holding a hand in each of my hands, one child starts to drag the feet- on a graceful day (if you can call it that!), scoop that one child up in the arm they were holding and continue onto the car attempting to open the door and get both children in. Definitely not pretty and that's with only one child protesting the vehicle... I'll leave two protesting up to your imagination! Our apartment complex offers 2 options at this point, either take a flight of stairs with both children or walk around the long way... its a wash between the 2, we usually do whatever I feel like doing at the time or whichever we are parked closest to!
Scenario 2: Take them out of car, put them in stroller, walk around the long way and into the house. About half way down the "long way" Micah usually realizes we are going inside, despite the fact I've been telling him this since we pulled in. And this is the result... (just imagine a high pitched scream cry and you've got it!)
(This is a typical sight following a trip to the store- thus the reason I LOVE the mommy hook!)
Scenario 3: (which is our new favorite!) We have 2 wonderful push toys, a stroller and a walker, they follow me remarkably well with them, we go the long way, I run ahead to the car, put our things in and open the door and by the time they are to the parking garage I am ready to scoop them up and put them in! Not always crying-free, but I've found as long as the toys stay within sight, it helps.
Until the next dilemma this is our best option. I don't know how long this option with last as the best, but until it loses its effectiveness we'll use it and abuse it! So next time you head out to your car either with your children or without, just remember I feel your pain!
Posts
