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How to Leave the House with an Infant in Tow

It takes longer than you'd think. Or, longer than I thought, at any rate!

by lolagoetz  |  979 views  |  3 comments  |       Rate this now! 

I’m not quite sure where my week went, but I know it was busy. I’ve been working hard this week. I’ve even gotten out of the house once -- maybe twice. Go me!

Even though I keep the diaper bag packed and ready to go, it still takes so much effort to get ready. Each time I get home, I immediately replenish the bag so I won’t have to if I’m in a rush next time. But everything else still needs to be timed.

The best time to leave? Right after a feeding, of course. But I have to sometimes change the baby’s clothes, get myself ready, gather the diaper bag, baby, a blanket or two, my wallet and cell phone, and see what else I’m forgetting. Keys! Must have the car keys if we’re driving. Well, even if we’re walking because the seat and stroller are in the car.

So I have to balance all of this, get to the car, get it open, put everything down so I can strap the kid in. Oh, and I have to remember not to bash his head against the door frame. I haven’t done that yet, but since I manage to regularly hit my head, it’s probably only a matter of time before I conk his noggin.

And then, the strapping in commences. Oh my, how the child hates to be strapped in to his car seat. My normally bubbly, smiley boy turns into a screaming, crying hellion for a few minutes -- until we get moving. Must. Get. Moving. NOW. So I try to hurry, and fumble a lot because, Good Lord, the screams. You’d think I was boiling him in oil and dipping him in ketchup. Or something.

Once I get him strapped in, I have to rearrange all of our accessories so they don’t dump out the instant I open the car door. (Yes, that has happened, why do you ask?) And then I have to get my frazzled self into the car, get it started and GET MOVING. He does settle down fairly quickly once we’re on the road.

I think I once thought it couldn’t be that bad to get out of the house with a baby if you kept everything prepared. Hey, who listened to that and remembered it and decided to lay the SMACKDOWN? I realize I was young and stupid and had no idea. But do I have to be reminded of that every time I try to leave the house? Sheesh.

Oh, and my little angel? Is 10 weeks old today. Wow. This time is going by too fast. I wish I had the entire thing on video so I can play it over and over later. I want to remember how my heart melts each time that sweet little face looks up into mine and smiles. That makes all of it worthwhile, you know.

About the Author

Becky Scott is a freelance writer/editor. She has way too many shoes, not enough flattering pants, and more hair scrunchies than one person should ever own. She loves to find a great deal on cute clothes and handbags, even though her closet protests that enough is enough (so does her husband). She is currently head-over-heels in love with her infant son and doesn't expect that to change anytime soon. She lives in San Diego with her husband and son.

Read more by lolagoetz




3 comments so far...

  • @kat - i haven't found a light-weight solution, as i've paired my purse and diaper bag into one bag.

    @mel - i think our first trip was to target. or to the pub where hubby sometimes works, as everyone wanted to see the kid. i'm hoping it gets easier over time. i'm sure it will.

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by lolagoetz on 1st February 2008

  • I can't remember the first time I got my son out. IT was probably days after getting him home because I'm sure we had a doctor's appointment. But I so relate. There is so much to carry, my stuff and his. And I have to confess, at month 11, it's gotten easier and harder at the same time. Now there is the stroller, the ergo carrier, the solid foods, the diapers, the toys, the blanket and the hat, a book in case we have to wait and and and and ....

    I'm sure there is a way to do it lighter-weight. I'm not sure what it is.

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kat on 1st February 2008

  • Wow! Is that not the truth?! I remember the first time my husband and I took our first child on an outing. I had been indoors for a solid week and was dying to get out of the house for awhile so we went to a local mall to just walk around for awhile (it was August and over 100 degrees outside so a walk in the park wouldn't have helped much! :) ). We packed everything up and an hour later -- off we go! As we're walking thru the mall I remember so clearly thinking "I can't believe I'm going to have to do go thru this everytime we leave the house for HOW MANY YEARS??!!" We eventually got into our routine and it wasn't that bad everytime, but it was certainly an eye-opener for me. One that was quickly followed by the next eye-opener "I will gladly go thru this everytime we leave the house if it means I get to have this sweet, adorable child in my life everyday!"

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mel on 1st February 2008

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