Skip to main content

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dear Son, On Your First Day At School

Your first day at school seemed to have passed by in a blur, just like the last four years. Someone hit the nail right on its head when they said , “the days are long but the years are short “. Time is indeed a magician. It tricks you into believing that something will last for a long time when in fact it melts away, without you knowing, blissfully ignorant.  Coming back to your first day, I was a bag of nerves in anticipation of how you’d settle into big school, yes but also in anticipation of how I’d settle. A change to our routine, planning lunches, after school activities and so on. More importantly however, to help me cope with your absence during the time you will be away at school - learning, growing, becoming. Whilst we waited at the school gate you asked me softly, “where’s my school bag?” and “what about lunch mummy?”. I explained to you then that you would be in school for just a couple of hours on the day so you needn’t worry. You seemed reassured by my words.  Sl...
Post a Comment
Read more

Dear Mom To Be

Dear Mom To Be  When I was expecting my first child, I only had theoretical insight into what motherhood would be like. None of the books or websites prepared me for the practical aspects of motherhood that are so very important yet so very overlooked. Although around 9 months of pregnancy prepares you somewhat for your new title as mother, it far from prepares you for the actual role of a mum (This was true in my case and would of course love to hear a different perspective).  It’s only when you are handed this little bundle of life that you realise the magnitude of what’s just happened. You, yes you, have suddenly become physically and emotionally responsible for this tiny human who is now entirely dependent on you for its every need (for the next few months at least).  So dearest mom to be, I want to share with you some practical advice for the initial post partum phase which I wish someone would have shared with me before I became a mom myself. Feel free to chuck it i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Speedpost

Dear R & R I wonder how old you will be when you read this. Are you now both moody teenagers or strappy young men? Wherever in life you are at the moment, I hope that the following words will help guide you and provide you with perspective on life in general. Be kind - to yourself and to others. A kind word or act goes a long way in making this world a better place. So be kind even when you don’t feel like it.  Self belief- Believe in yourself as much as I believe in you; ideally even more. When you believe in yourself you can overcome the biggest of challenges that life inevitably presents us with.  Truth- Always speak the truth. Yes, even when you’re in the wrong. Fight for the truth so that justice is granted. Telling the truth will ensure that you always have peace of mind.    Say No when you need to- It’s important to set boundaries for yourself and saying no facilitates this process. Do what you need to do but don’t get burnt out. Nothing is worth it. ...
Post a Comment
Read more