I used to be a girl who traveled light. I’d even avoid a handbag when going out at night by wearing clothes with enough pockets for a credit card, some cash and a lipstick.
Things have drastically changed as now I’m one of those mums with a double pram bigger than the average 4 wheel drive. It’s actually 3 wheeled, high of the ground, with an infinite number of recline positions for the kids, shopping baskets underneath and wallet and mobile phone pockets at the back.
Yesterday I did my first shopping and “gingerbread man” trip with all the kids and Dog in tow. It was like packing for a camping trip and it crossed my mind that really the twin stroller is a new urban assault vehicle. Here is a list of supplies:
- Dog lead
- Bags to pick up dog poo
- Change bag, complete with nappies for 2 size of children, wipes and nappy bags
- A change of clothes for the baby in case of enormous poo or vomit (have you noticed how often poo features on this list?)
- Hat, sunnies and sunscreen for Big Sis, Little Bro and me
- Water
- Snacks for kids including rice crackers and sultanas
- Colouring books, textas and a matchbox car for entertainment in cafe or when required
- Shopping list due to sleep deprivation short term memory problems
- Wallet, phone, keys
- Jackets/jumpers for all kids in case it gets cold
- Muslin cloth to protect baby from the sun
- Pegs to secure muslin cloth over pram
I swear if there was a national emergency we could just pull the urban assault vehicle over rig up the muslin cloth and sleep underneath, fully equipped until the situation passed.
Big Sis (who walks next to the pram these days) eyed the preparations but commented that we would be in trouble if baby needed some milk. She said - “We would have to stop and you would have to sit on the footpath and feed mummy!” Indeed we would Big Sis - until I can find a way to strap a fold-able breastfeeding chair to the circus - Indeed we would!
newborn, prams, wlaking with kids
November 13th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Yeah, I hear you!! We went for a 90 minute walk yesterday. It took me 15 minutes to lather everyone with sunscreen (2 minutes for the 10 month old who is not yet fast moving, and 13 minutes for the 2 year old sprinter). I forgot to do me. Then I packed snacks and drinks. Then I found hats. Then I got the nappies and the wipes and the nappy disposal bags, teethers, toys and a ball. I left the house. Then I turned back to get money in case of emergency. I left the house again. Then I turned back to go to the toilet as no nappies were in my size. Then I left the house again. It was a perfect day, the children were perfectly behaved, and it was all worth while.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I forgot to mention there is a photo of me breatfeeding on the side of the road at Byron Bay on holidays. Perhaps the council should consider “feeding stations” at appropriate and convenient locations.
November 14th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Hope it was a good Gingerbread Man for all that effort!!
I hate to say it, but did you forget something? -a change of top for yourself, or is Tertia a neat enough baby to not puke or share her poo? I still carry a spare t-shirt in the nappy bag as a tribute to those good ol’ days!
November 14th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Ah sunscreen - my least favorite activity at the moment is chasing kids around trying to apply sunscreen…..
November 14th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
I remember well trying to leave the house with DSO when Big Sis was a baby. She puked on herself and me so I changed her and gave her to DSO. She then puked on herself again and DSO.
This time I spend my life in a tracksuit covered in dubious stains - so I probably wouldn’t notice!