I just about remember the days when leaving the house was easy. I picked up my bag, coat and keys and off I went. Simple!
Oh how things have changed. These days leaving the house is like a military operation and probably requires the same amount of kit. Popping to the shop is no longer popping to the shop – it is half an hour spent collecting everything that baby boy could possibly need, ten minutes changing his nappy and getting him appropriately dressed, 5 minutes getting him in his car seat, another 5 minutes hunting for his dummy before finally getting him in the car and going to the shop. Going out for a whole day needs specialist attention, often requiring a night before packing mission depending on what time we are leaving the next day.
Now that baby boy is eating solid food I can usually get everything I need for a day in 1 bag but when he was on 6 bottles a day I often needed 2! I never realised how much I would need to take just to leave the house for an hour! I need to pack everything just in case it is needed because you just know that the one time I don’t pack a change of clothes is the only time he will throw up all over himself or have a nappy leak. I made the mistake of just ‘nipping out’ without a bottle when baby boy was about 2 months old. Half an hour later I was back at home with a screaming baby boy!
I honestly can’t remember the last time I used my handbag. My keys, purse and phone are now kept in the changing bag. Goodness knows what I used to keep in a handbag! It was always full but I can’t for the life of me think what with!
As baby boy gets older I am honing my leaving the house technique. Who knows, maybe by the time he is at secondary school I will have it nailed!
Do you take everything but the kitchen sink when you leave the house?
Image credit – http://www.hartofthemunchkinpatch.co.uk/2014/04/packing-for-5-days-out-with-kids.html?m=1
Not So Perfect Parent Blog 
My children are finally big enough, 5 and 7, to carry their own backpacks. Everywhere we go they carry their overloaded packs, stuffed with snacks, comic books, legos, and sometimes rocks, sticks, and leaves. The amount of gear they tote along is a bit ridiculous, but I do love that I am able to travel light.
LikeLike
Ooh I wonder if I could get baby boy a backpack! I think maybe not. I will definitely be doing that when he is old enough though. I love that your children carry rocks, sticks and leaves. I remember when I used to have a fascination with such objects. My favourite things to collect were smooth pebbles.
LikeLike
I have a toddler and 8 month old twins. I get that nappy change times x2 and car seat strapping times x3 and I rather walk to the shop than drive. However, when it comes to days out I find it easy. Guess I have nailed the routine that works well for me and us both when my partner is not at work.
On holidays someone even commented when we were ready to leave the car park with three kids before they got their one ready.
LikeLike
I don’t know how you do it! I struggle with just 1. Well done on getting 3 ready and out of the house.
LikeLike