Getting out with two kids takes patience
By jennifer hazard
2007-12-04
Can somebody tell me how to get two kids out of the house in the morning? And be on time to wherever it is you have to go? I’m beginning to think it’s impossible. Even with a little preparation in the evening, our morning routine is always frenetic.
Here’s a typical morning in the Hazard household: Lauren wakes up at 6:30 am. Ted retrieves her from the crib and Lauren’s diaper is soaked through. He strips her down and brings her into the shower. Will — still in the bassinet — wakes to her cries. I scoop him up, change his diaper and carry him back to bed to nurse.
After the shower, Ted dresses Lauren, plops her into our bed and goes downstairs to fill her bottle. She runs out of the bedroom towards the stairway, shouting, “Daddy! Daddy! Milk! Milk!” which requires me to stop nursing and check on her safety.
Once everyone is properly fed, Will spits up or dirties his diaper. Lauren either wants to eat breakfast or explore every drawer in our room. The dog wants to go out. The dog wants to be fed. Lauren wants to watch “Curious George.” Ted is trying to get dressed. I’m still in my bathrobe changing Will with one hand while keeping Lauren from eating a cough drop she’s found on the floor with the other.
Eventually we all make it downstairs. Ted and I go over the morning checklist. Here’s a sampling:
1. Changes of clothes
2. Diapers
3. Wipes
4. Bottle/liner
5. Expressed milk for Will
6. Whole milk for Lauren
7. Breakfast/lunch/snacks for Lauren
8. Hats and mittens
9. Bibs
10. Sippy cup
When we’ve packed everything for the sitter, it’s time to get the kids bundled up and out the door. Lauren needs coaxing to get her shoes on, and further bribing with graham crackers or pretzels for her to sit quietly in the car. Will is growing so quickly that strapping him into the infant car seat is proving difficult. It’s like fitting a linebacker into the backseat of a VW Bug.
By now, the clock reads 8 am and I’m still not dressed or showered. Ted comes back in once or twice more to grab something he’s forgotten … the checkbook, his morning coffee or another graham cracker for Lauren. The dog is staring me down. I tell him I’m sorry, but Mommy has to get ready. He retreats to his bed and grunts. I’m ready to do the same.
Here’s a typical morning in the Hazard household: Lauren wakes up at 6:30 am. Ted retrieves her from the crib and Lauren’s diaper is soaked through. He strips her down and brings her into the shower. Will — still in the bassinet — wakes to her cries. I scoop him up, change his diaper and carry him back to bed to nurse.
After the shower, Ted dresses Lauren, plops her into our bed and goes downstairs to fill her bottle. She runs out of the bedroom towards the stairway, shouting, “Daddy! Daddy! Milk! Milk!” which requires me to stop nursing and check on her safety.
Once everyone is properly fed, Will spits up or dirties his diaper. Lauren either wants to eat breakfast or explore every drawer in our room. The dog wants to go out. The dog wants to be fed. Lauren wants to watch “Curious George.” Ted is trying to get dressed. I’m still in my bathrobe changing Will with one hand while keeping Lauren from eating a cough drop she’s found on the floor with the other.
Eventually we all make it downstairs. Ted and I go over the morning checklist. Here’s a sampling:
1. Changes of clothes
2. Diapers
3. Wipes
4. Bottle/liner
5. Expressed milk for Will
6. Whole milk for Lauren
7. Breakfast/lunch/snacks for Lauren
8. Hats and mittens
9. Bibs
10. Sippy cup
When we’ve packed everything for the sitter, it’s time to get the kids bundled up and out the door. Lauren needs coaxing to get her shoes on, and further bribing with graham crackers or pretzels for her to sit quietly in the car. Will is growing so quickly that strapping him into the infant car seat is proving difficult. It’s like fitting a linebacker into the backseat of a VW Bug.
By now, the clock reads 8 am and I’m still not dressed or showered. Ted comes back in once or twice more to grab something he’s forgotten … the checkbook, his morning coffee or another graham cracker for Lauren. The dog is staring me down. I tell him I’m sorry, but Mommy has to get ready. He retreats to his bed and grunts. I’m ready to do the same.