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Teaching Sam and Scout

Teaching, Motherhood, and Life In-Between

5 Tips for Getting Out the Door with Kids (+ A Chance to Win $100)


So far, one of the hardest things for me about having two kids is simply getting out the door to do anything!! I can’t even count how many times I’ve gotten in the car sweaty and exhausted trying to get Sam to school, make an early morning doctor’s appointment for Nora, etc.  Whew.  I’m a little overwhelmed just thinking about it. 😉 Luckily, now that I have a whopping eight weeks of experience with this juggle, I’ve found a few things that help make this almost daily “event” a little more manageable…
Cereal Banner

1. Give yourself A LOT of extra time. I’ve never been particularly good at being on time, but now it is even worse! (How long can I use the “I just had a baby” excuse anyway?) Without fail it seems like Nora wakes up starving or has a diaper blowout right when I need to be walking out the door… Combine that with the inevitable seventeen bags that need to be packed, keys that need to be found, car seats that need to be loaded, etc., etc., etc., and I’m looking at an extra thirty to forty-five minutes easy. In general, I’ve found that things take me about TWICE as long these days, so I’m trying to be disciplined about allowing myself LOTS of extra time by waking up earlier, not squeezing so much into my schedule, and starting the “get ready to leave” process well in advance of when it’s time to go.

2. Pace yourself & set alarms. This goes along with my first tip, but I have found that counting backwards from the time I NEED to leave to make it somewhere on time and then pacing myself to get everything done goes a long way.  For example, on the mornings that Sam needs to be at school at 9, I know I need to wake up no later than 7 and be in the shower by at least 7:30.  I need to wake Sam by 8:00, start loading everyone up by 8:30, and pull out of the drive way at 8:50 at the very latest. One thing that helps keep me on schedule is to set and label an alarm on my phone for each of those “milestones” and then hold myself to it.  That way, if fall back asleep, cuddle Nora, or err get caught up reading blogs for a little too long, I have a tangible reminder to get back on track.

3. Prepare the night before. This is a classic piece of advice, but it really does make a big difference. Before bed at night I try to make sure everything is completely ready for the smoothest morning possible.  This includes laying out clothes for myself and both kids, cutting up fruit for breakfast, stocking the diaper bag and Sam’s backpack, etc.  Sometimes, when I’m feeling particularly “with it,” I even go so far as to set the table for breakfast.  (Let’s be real, that doesn’t happen often.)

4. Enlist the help of “big kids.” In my case, Sam (age 3.75) counts as a “big kid,” and you’d be surprised at how much he can help with when I ask him. He is a champ at retrieving clean outfits or pacifiers for Nora, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, and putting on his own shoes.  Even though these are little things, they keep me from running up the steps for the fortieth time that day and save precious moments.  Also, as a bonus, he feels helpful and proud which is huge these days as he adjusts to being “Big Brother.”

5. Multitask. Every busy mom knows the value of multitasking… While I haven’t quite mastered the fine art of make-up application or pumping in the car, I’m pretty darn good at meals on-the-go. 🙂 Sure, I prefer a meal around the table, but sometimes, that just isn’t happening… Kellogg’s Cereal In A Cup makes breakfast and snacks in the car (or the stroller, waiting room, etc.) especially easy, and I feel a lot better about it than I would about a drive-thru. The individually portioned cups of cereal come in a 4-pack (sold at Walmart and other retailers for $3.68) and are available in Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Raisin Bran Crunch, and Frosted Mini Wheats.  The latter have been a favorite at our house since Sam first started eating cereals and our pediatrician recommended it because of its high fiber content.  I love that Kellogg’s Cereal In A Cup can easily be eaten by little hands in the car (it even fits perfectly in the cup holders), can just be thrown away when it is all gone (no dirty dishes!), and keeps my boy happy and his tummy full on even the busiest days as breakfast or an anytime snack. (So far, I’ve only let Sam enjoy it dry since I don’t really trust him with a spoon and milk on his own yet, but adding the milk right into the cup is perfectly convenient for older kids and grown-ups.) I’m definitely keeping one of these in the diaper bag at all times!

Cereal Cup

Even though I’m back at work (for a few weeks) now, I’m already thinking about how I can get the most out of my time off with both kids this summer.  One thing I already know is that getting up and out of the house each day is going to be CRUCIAL… Whether it’s a trip to the library, a playground play date, a stroll on the greenway, or a road trip down the interstate, my family does better when we GO.  In order to make the most of my summer, I’ll be adding Kellogg’s Cereal In A Cup to my “get out the door” strategy! What are your best tips for early mornings or jam packed days?  I’d love to hear!

E

P.S. Want some extra spending money to help make your summer the best ever?!? One of you can win a $100 Walmart Gift card!! To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment below answering this question: How are you #MakingTheMostOfSummer?

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This sweepstakes runs from 5/21/15 – 6/16/15.

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Comments

  2. I plan to #makethemostofsummer by creating a fun summer bucket list with my big kid! He is 8 so, like you mentioned above, we do better when we GO! We are planning trips to the beach, library, local farms for strawberry picking, and really anything that is stroller accessible for his baby brother! I am so excited for summer and I can’t wait to get it started! Thanks!

    Reply

  3. I am due with baby #2 in July, so I am #MakingtheMostofSunmer by soaking up the last adventures with just my two year old boy. My goal is to be outside a much as possible!

    Reply

  4. Those cereal cups for breakfast/snacks are genius! Never thought of that! This summer I hope we have lots of outdoor time – pool, splash pad, playgrounds, peach picking, beach time.

    Reply

  7. I am #MakingTheMostOfSummer by getting outside with the kids, by biking, hiking and swimming. I also have snacks that are fun and easy to make to take with us!

    Reply

  10. I am #MakingTheMostOfSummer by going camping and attending concerts

    groogruxking40 @ gmail dot com

    Reply

  11. i work as a Nanny and the 6 year old an I have created a list of places to go on filed trips this summer. I’m also making the most out of summer and taking surfing lessons with my 15 year old son! 🙂

    Reply

  20. We are #MakingTheMostOfSummer by getting outside and having fun together. We are planning a trip to the beach this summer. We love Kellogg’s cereal and we all eat it several times a week and also take it in the car on road trips for snacks.
    heather hgtempaddy@hotmail.com

    Reply

  22. I will be #MakingTheMostOfSummer by getting to enjoy the outdoors with the kids and doing some exploring. We love biking on the trails, hikes through the parks, and going to the beaches.

    Reply

  24. I am #MakingTheMostOfSummer by spending as much time outside as I can. I love to go for long runs, bike rides and walks. I love the warmer weather! I also will spend as much time with family and friends as possible.

    Reply

  26. I want to tell you — when mary virginia was teeny, every time we got in the car, i’d sit there, take a deep breath and think, I DID IT!!!

    I suppose this summer ill make the most of my days by doing the same with 3 kids.
    😉

    Reply

  28. We haven’t been able to make the most of much lately, because it has been raining almost every day for the last couple weeks! But once the weather clears up, I plan to get a zoo pass, and we are going to make lots of trips there over the summer!

    Reply

  29. I will be #makingthemostofsummer surviving the heat while pregnant and spending lots of outdoors time with my son.

    Reply

  33. I am #MakingTheMostOfSummer by spending time with family and friends cooking out and going to the lake!

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  38. We are #MakingTheMostOfSummer by going to the park on the weekends. In fact my hubby just bought an annual pass.

    Reply

  42. I will be making the most of summer by spending lot of time outdoor, hiking, visiting parks, swimming, etc. Thanks for your tips. I especially love the “big kid” one. My kids are always eager to help. 🙂

    amy [at] utry [dot] it

    Reply

  45. I’m #MakingTheMostOfSummer by camping with our in-laws, and going to the beach.
    madelinebrubaker {at} gmail [dot] com

    Reply

  47. I’m #MakingTheMostOfSummer by taking a couple weeks off of work to spend some time having fun with the kids! I get out of the house more quickly by packing everything the night beforehand. That way, bags are packed, snacks / drinks are prepped. All I have to do is get the kids ready, grab our bags and go!

    Reply

  49. I plan to #makethemostofsummer by allowing my kids to help me come up with fun ideas to do that I have pinned on Pinterest! I find it is so much easier to keep my littles happy when we have a loose schedule during the summer and allow plenty of time for free play and creativity!

    Reply

  52. I’m making the most of summer by kayaking when we can get a sitter and evening together! Tons of potted plants and hanging baskets on the porch make it magical for summer

    Reply

  53. We are going to #MakeTheMostOfSummer by spending a lot of time at the playground and go to the carnivals that come to town.

    Reply

  64. I’m #makingthemost of summer by spending lots of time just hanging out with my family and heading to the pool every chance we get!

    Reply

  67. We are #MakingTheMostOfSummer by doing outside activities and taking advantage of the free events in our city.
    sazzyfrazz at gmail dot com

    Reply

  69. making the most of my summer by relaxing and enjoying quiet time before the arrival of my baby mid- july..then its going to be very busy

    Reply

  71. We are planning to #MakeTheMostOfSummer by spending tons of time at our neighborhood pool!

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply

  76. We are making the most of Summer by visiting the pool a lot and relaxing.

    kport207 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  78. I am #MakingTheMostOfSummer by planning activities for my children and I in advance that we will all enjoy. I am also making sure I am present in the moment and creating fun memories with them.

    Reply

  81. We’re #MakingTheMostOfSummer by watching our new garden bloom and grow!

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  89. We’re making the most of summer by going to a number of fun summer events in our city, starting with the Pirate Festival!

    Reply

  92. Spending time with my kids and doing fun things that they will enjoy such as going to the beach, amusement parks, ice skating

    tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  95. I LIKE ON THE GO SNACKS LIKE APPLES AND CARMEL AND CELERY AND PB STICKS SO I CAN GET THE MOST OUT OF MY DAY! THANKS!

    Reply

  115. My children are all adults now but I vividly remember those days of trying to get everyone dressed and out the door still looking half way decent.
    Now we make the most of summer with time spent outside, trips to the lake, cookouts, and anything else we can find to do.

    Reply

  120. we are #MakingTheMostOfSummer by playing outside, taking family walks ,having family movie nights and plan to go to the beach soon

    Reply

  127. I am #MakingTheMostOfSummer by doing fun activities with my children like painting, play frisbee, going on swims and just relaxing.

    Reply

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