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EWmums

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ewmoda

mums with 2 or more kids under age of 2...

429

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 16:51

Do u ladies ever go out on u own with the kids??
if yes, do u come home sane???
I ventured out with my DS 21month and DD 1 month today and it was madnesss... dd was asleep but DS was so bad. DD was in a carrier n ds too wanted to be pickd.. he was crying on n on.. gods!!!
I really wanted to catch this sale at home centre and i cud barely cover 1/10th the store!
I dunno how I am going to manage when DD also starts to eb awake longer..
I have a huge shopping list for Ikea, and other places too and i am dreading it! :(
How do you ladies with tiny kids manage grocery, and other shopping?

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1987

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 11 March 2011 - 00:05

We do "fun afternoon walks" to Mercato and the nearby Choithrams using the double pram that end in DS2 howling to be picked up from his pram seat and carried, then DS1 howling in protest. Famous kids at the shops! After some nightmare-ish visits, I only attempt Ikea with either the DH or nanny in tow. I do the grocery store with only 1 child. I went to Mirdif City Centre with both kids, left nanny at home, twice, and the most recent, with DS2 at 7 months, was really bad. The minute we got home, Mama needed a nap! Now I take DS1 to Village Mall or Mercato straight from the nursery pick-up. So much easier and we get some quality time together, while DS2 completes his mid-day nap under the nanny's care at home. Between Sugar Box at Mercato and Sugar Daddy's in Village Mall, he gets to pick a cupcake as his "special treat" for good behavior.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 21:16

Shaf, personally, i wouldn't dream of trying to do an ikea shopping trip with them both. If it was me, I'd find a friend that could watch your DS and take the newborn with you (she'll be much more complacent)!! :-) My boys are 2 and 3 years and i still can't do a "proper" big shop with them (not to mention that i've added a newborn DD to the mix). Before DD came alone, i could put them in their double pram, but the had no way to push the shopping trolly. I also tried leaving the pram, putting one in the trolley seat and one standing in the trolley, but always ended up with 1/2 my shopping squashed! Now with a 3yr old, 2yr old and 3 week old... no way. I'm not going to even try it. I'll only do shopping when DH can watch kids or DH does it while i'm at home with kids.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 15:24

Until now, I thought I was the only person who couldn't manage shopping with 2 kids. Glad to know there are others in the same situation...I always take DH along or go alone leaving one child with DH. And after going out with two, going out with one seems soooo easy.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 14:26

Ok I might get flamed for saying this but it really works. I have a month old and a two year old. Most of the time she is very happy in double buggy or if baby is in carrier she will happily sit in the shopping trolley. But for her imp moments I have my iPod touch with two puzzle apps. I can assure you it is a ploy that cannot fail. Keep her occupied and buys me at least twenty or so minutes. <em>edited by Tubby on 09/03/2011</em>

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:49

well, if you have to do something, you have to do it, so plan ahead and work out what is actually achievable... Could you not go round Ikea in 2 sessions, say, or spend an hour or two going round, then go off and do something fun for your eldest and then come back. Maybe try jotting down the codes of the stuff that you like (or taking photos so that you don't have to worry about the pen and paper) and then order over the phone when you are home and get it delivered? When I have to take both of them shopping, I give my eldest some "fun" tasks - like holding the shopping list (yeah, wow!), or helping me put the fruit and veg in bags or even spotting the nearest thing that's white, say. Plus bring snacks ("you can only have a snack if you sit nicely in the trolley to eat it"), and a couple of little interesting toys. Be flexible and prepared to change your pace to keep the peace!

429

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 09 March 2011 - 10:38

thanks for your replies ladies.. in short, i think its not possible to come home sane. Double buggy is not an option as DS doesnt like to sit, even before dd was born.. and also, if i push the buggy, i wont be able to do anything else. And by shopping i dint mean clothes. DD needs to be in a sling and DS needs to walk or be in the trolley (which he wont stay for more than 10mins!) so that i have my hands free. We are actually moving houses in Doha, and want to buy our furniture from here... Doha only has Home Centre and we r IKEA fans. So DH is in Doha, while I am here till DD's visa and stuff are sorted. So if I want household stuff other than home-centre ones, then i need to get out and buy it.. DH is perfectly happy to ship it to Doha for me provided i get what i want. Now dont sit on my DH;s case because he isnt helping.. our circumstances are such. And yes, homecentre has lovely stufff, but every house in doha pretty much only has homecentre stuff i think. I know a babysitter, but DS is still not going to go to her.. damn! so lost! Burnsie000: u are my role model.. i always wonder how on earth u do it with kids even younger than mine! msg me on Fb or something.. lets sort out that play date before i go away! :)

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 23:48

Shaf, I haven't read all the responses. But yes it is possible, it doesn't have to be ridiculously hard. Have you got a double buggy? I manage to do this, when DD was younger, it was actually easier, cos she slept most of the time. DS was strapped in the front and I pushed them along and did what I needed to. If grocery shopping, I put a basket on top of the buggy.... or put DD (who is still in her carchair) INTO the trolley and DS into the seat of the trolley and piled groceries around DD... Now that DD is 8 months and more awake and interactive - I make sure I have loads of snacks on me and they are happy. I don't have a maid, or help.... but a good stroll around a mall or walk along JBR is always nice. Reminds me we need that playdate :) PS People are still commenting on the beautiful photo's you took!

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 22:26

well mine are now 3 and 4 and I still take them to, eg, the supermarket (because it's part of life, and they should be exposed to such things) but if you are talking about eg clothes shopping, I completely agree; practically impossible with kids; not only on a practical level but because if you are busy stopping them from fighting/annoying other shoppers/fiddling with things they shouldn't be fiddling with/saying embarrassing things about other people/all the other things kids to to torment you; you are not in the mood to buy clothes I was one of 4, with no extended family within the same country until I was 8 or so (and then it was only one set of grandparents, who I don't remember babysitting much) - I now look back rather in awe at how my mother stayed sane! There's also a difference between quickly popping to the shops, where you can make it a "fun outing" with both of them and trawling round a mall for hours with a list as long as your arm. I don't have a nanny or maid, so it's just me, myself and I, now with improved 360 degree vision. Shopping for myself can wait until DH is home and I trundle off for some well-earned "me" time.

504

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EW GURU

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 22:10

well mine are now 3 and 4 and I still take them to, eg, the supermarket (because it's part of life, and they should be exposed to such things) but if you are talking about eg clothes shopping, I completely agree; practically impossible with kids; not only on a practical level but because if you are busy stopping them from fighting/annoying other shoppers/fiddling with things they shouldn't be fiddling with/saying embarrassing things about other people/all the other things kids to to torment you; you are not in the mood to buy clothes I was one of 4, with no extended family within the same country until I was 8 or so (and then it was only one set of grandparents, who I don't remember babysitting much) - I now look back rather in awe at how my mother stayed sane!

142

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:55

crikey. It is possible, lots of people do it (in the real world where there aren't so many nannies, for a start). I actually think it's easier when they are so young than when they get bigger - two in nappies definitely easier than two small-bladdered toddlers! I used to either have one in the sling, one in the buggy; or one in the buggy, one on the buggy board. Did have a double buggy but it was like pushing a bus, so didn't use it that often. With one in the sling and one in the buggy, what hand did you use to push the cart? Serious question - I know parents in other parts of the world do it, but I can't see how. the hand that wasn't on the buggy; the sling doesn't need a hand. my younger one does'nt usually want to be in the sling- he is 10 months old and has discovered the joys of crawling. The older one is 2 1'/2 and does not want to sit in a pram (or wear shoes at the moment). They both can scream loud enough to make any passerby deaf...... I have done most of my shopping from amazon and then shipped it through shop and ship but it is the only way I can relax and peruse articles and put them in my cart when hopefully both boys are asleep. If I go with them to a mall- there's no way I would be able to buy anything. In my parents time, they always had extended family close on hand to help......it's really hard and I'm not a mother who just leaves my kids with the nanny...

504

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:23

crikey. It is possible, lots of people do it (in the real world where there aren't so many nannies, for a start). I actually think it's easier when they are so young than when they get bigger - two in nappies definitely easier than two small-bladdered toddlers! I used to either have one in the sling, one in the buggy; or one in the buggy, one on the buggy board. Did have a double buggy but it was like pushing a bus, so didn't use it that often. With one in the sling and one in the buggy, what hand did you use to push the cart? Serious question - I know parents in other parts of the world do it, but I can't see how. the hand that wasn't on the buggy; the sling doesn't need a hand.

1238

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:21

crikey. It is possible, lots of people do it (in the real world where there aren't so many nannies, for a start). I actually think it's easier when they are so young than when they get bigger - two in nappies definitely easier than two small-bladdered toddlers! I used to either have one in the sling, one in the buggy; or one in the buggy, one on the buggy board. Did have a double buggy but it was like pushing a bus, so didn't use it that often. With one in the sling and one in the buggy, what hand did you use to push the cart? Serious question - I know parents in other parts of the world do it, but I can't see how.

504

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:19

crikey. It is possible, lots of people do it (in the real world where there aren't so many nannies, for a start). I actually think it's easier when they are so young than when they get bigger - two in nappies definitely easier than two small-bladdered toddlers! I used to either have one in the sling, one in the buggy; or one in the buggy, one on the buggy board. Did have a double buggy but it was like pushing a bus, so didn't use it that often.

142

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:16

I don't go shopping with both of them on my own evening now (they're 21 months apart and youngest is 20 months!)... but on the plus side, going shopping with only 1 seems a walk in the park! My thing is to absolutely be prepared to crash and burn out of whatever expedition you've got planned and not to set yourself a list of tasks whilst out and about. Shopping for me is a big no-no because there's only one thing worse than 1 bored toddler in a shop... and that's 2 bored toddlers! I also plan to be in carefully considered spaces - preferably confined because keeping track of 2 mobile children on your own is nigh on impossible... ... and that's my last point. Make the most of these next few months, because it's a breeze compared to when they're both mobile! OMG.....i SOOOO agree. It seems hard but when they both move, its just impossible. Every outing has to be planned for every eventuality

142

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 21:15

When my two were that young, I never went out shopping alone. Even at the ages they are now (2 and 3), I still rarely go out shopping with them. ditto- will never go out with them alone. either hubby or nanny must come along and usually both and its still madness and impossible to shop. My DS1 is 2 1/2 and DS2 is 10 months

5452

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 20:11

When my two were that young, I never went out shopping alone. Even at the ages they are now (2 and 3), I still rarely go out shopping with them.

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 20:09

so basically its not possible . . of course it's possible... just like it's possible to drink vinegar or walk on hot coals... the question is why on earth would you want to inflict that on yourself?! ;)

1238

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 19:38

I have three (aged 26 months and two 5 months) and one of the luxuries I allow myself here is to never shop by myself with more than one. Totally worth it to hire an agency or wait till husband is home.

1996

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 19:08

Won't work till they are a wee bit bigger but my two are 16 months apart and I bought a twin stroller where the seats face in towards each othher-they seemed happy that way as they could see each other and kept each other amused. Oh-and it does get better! Mine are all grown up now and it is a distant memory!

201

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 19:04

not quite as young as yours mine are 2.5years and 3months but its def hard. I usually make sure both are fed and occupied before venturing out. Prepare for the worst ect. Do you have a double pram as your DS might be more willing to stay in the pram if DD was in there too. I find if i have the baby bjorn DD1 is more likely to want to be picked up then when there both riding in the pram. It gets easier too as the new one gets older, i didnt venture out at the start with them only when dd2 was around 2months old. But its tough and you will work out what works for you. Xx

429

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 18:59

so basically its not possible . BFC.. her pram is too big to go shopping with and he doesnt sit in the sling.. too heavy and prefers t run abt. Only when i carrry her he wants to be carried.

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 18:23

I don't go shopping with both of them on my own evening now (they're 21 months apart and youngest is 20 months!)... but on the plus side, going shopping with only 1 seems a walk in the park! My thing is to absolutely be prepared to crash and burn out of whatever expedition you've got planned and not to set yourself a list of tasks whilst out and about. Shopping for me is a big no-no because there's only one thing worse than 1 bored toddler in a shop... and that's 2 bored toddlers! I also plan to be in carefully considered spaces - preferably confined because keeping track of 2 mobile children on your own is nigh on impossible... ... and that's my last point. Make the most of these next few months, because it's a breeze compared to when they're both mobile!

671

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 17:49

Hmm...try dd in a pushchair/pram and ds in a sling?

1234

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 March 2011 - 17:36

I have one and expecting 2nd one soon, but really feel for you. I think you probably know that kids have good days and bad days, so take it easy and take your time :) oh, well, let's see may be in few months I will be posting same thread :D hang in there and take your hubby or friend for Ikea trip to help you out

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