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Chalo, Let’s Go!!



Gone are the days when I could choose my outfit at leisure, dress up without having little hands tug at my legs and apply make up as if I were in the Sajana hai mujhe sajana ke liye video. 


Nowadays leaving the house is best described as a whirlwind. Getting two kids under 4 ready and out of the house makes you feel like you’re in an episode of Crystal Maze, the only difference being you get zero crystals for all that hard work. 


It’s not just the ‘getting the kids ready’ part that needs to be tackled. You need to do all the behind the scenes work too to ensure a smooth outing. Let’s see what this involves:


Planning the outing based on baby’s routine- This is so important as it will ensure both you and baby are able to enjoy. Avoid commuting during meal times for example but definitely go for it if it’s nap time. Of course baby may change their own routine but try we must! 


Baby bag - The go to bag irrespective of whether you’re off to the mall or Maldives. It contains everything you need to take care of baby’s immediate needs : nappies, changing mat, milk, water, food, cream, sunscreen, paracetamol (only me? Ok then!), change of clothes, the earth?? You know what I mean.


Snacks - This probably needs a whole article dedicated to it but I will try and summarise. Snacks serve two main purposes; to satisfy hungry little tummies and more importantly they are used as tools to distract and engage toddlers. This is especially useful if you are preempting a tantrum or a meltdown. Snacks have always helped us navigate the very tricky nature of toddlers emotions! You can’t have that toy but hey would you like a chocolate biscuit? Let me help you with that jacket zip while you eat this yummy breadstick! 


Entertainment - You can sing to your kids during a car journey unless of course your kids are like mine and ask you to “please stop singing so badly mummy!”. So then I have a kids playlist on my phone or we carry these magnetic tiles with us that occupy the kids for a reasonable amount of time. Or you can just go old school and ask them to count the number of white cars, trucks and so on. They will eventually get bored and fall asleep! (I hope!!)


Loo - Always ask your toddler if they need a wee before you leave the house. The toddler will always say no and will ask for the loo literally ten minutes into your commute. It’s a conspiracy I tell you! The toddler mafia and their belligerent ways. 


Finally, Murphy’s law will always come into play just when you’re about to leave the house. Yes, you guessed right. Baby needs a nappy change, derailing most of your plans to be on time. Oh the joys

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