Getting out with twins.

Hi there

I was wondering how you all cope with going out with twins. Since their birth I haven't taken them to a mall or the supermarket. I only go visit my mom alone with them. I don't go to friends without my husband if I take the girls with. I am scared I wouldn't be able to cope alone with them.

Where we always liked to eat out ... we now get take-a-ways. Only been together in a restaurant with the girls twice since their birth.

How do you mommies do it? How do you keep them busy while you eat.
Now that Clarice is crawling and trying to stand up against everything there is never a quiet moment. Soon Abigail will be crawling and then it'll be less likely that I will go places accept friends and family.

Luv
Zellie

We take those table chairs and give them food while we eat and bring toys. They are usually quite excited to sit at the table.

I have always taken the boys shopping on my own it is getting more difficult now though that they are walking. I eaith shop with the twin pram. Or pop them both into thetrolley they quite enjoy sitting with the shopping (just don't buy anything delicate).

Also some PnP's have those trolleys with seats at the back adn the basket in the front and two steering wheels the boys enjoy that. I don't do big shops that will take too long.

I think that I was fortunate in a way since I had no choice but to do these things on my own, lol, so now it is like second nature. I do have a dominating four year old that is very caring and protective over his brothers and keeps them in check for me, hehehe!

Hi

Thanks Kerry. I take my hat off to you. There is no way I am doing shopping alone. But I guess I need to make a plan and start getting out more. I told dh that we need to find a place outside were he and I sit and drink a coffee with a light meal while the girls play/crawl on the grass. Someone told me about Ludwig's Roses. Even maybe pack a picnic and go one Sunday afternoon to a safe park or botanical gardens.

My mom also suggested we get a date night once a month and she will look after the girls. This is scary but dh and I haven't been somewhere alone once since the girls were born. Either he or I looks after them. We need to start trusting other people with our children.

DJG - You are doing such a good job with your boys. Like you said you just had to do all the things because you had no choice. Do you also just put the boys in the trolley? Where do you go with friends for a lunch or dinner if you have all the boys with you?

Luv
Zellie

Zellie, I generally do not go out at night with the boys, I would rather have people come over for dinner then when they are tired they go to sleep... they refuse to sleep anywhere aside from their own beds. During the day I have a few local spots which is great because the waitrons know the boys and so I get to sit in peace and drink tea while they get entertained making pizza in the kitchen or just generally having fun while I relax. That has been a huge plus.

In terms of the trolley, depends what I am there to get... if it is one or two things then nope, they just walk and they are excellent, they do not touch, most people are amazed, hehehe, I just avoid the sweety isle because then we would have a huge problem.

Lunches or afternoon teas, I luuuuurrrrrv Norscott Manor (also go there a lot), then Spur is always a great choice for the boys, Lanseria airport... I am going to try and source some places in pta for you though.

DJG - Ha-ha ... you sound like such a pro, maybe I'll get there too one day. The spur isn't an option yet because the girls are to small. Something with like a tea garden maybe where children are allowed. I don't want to get the eagle eye from people trying to enjoy their meal.

Have a lovely day.

Zellie

Zellie - I am like you - I don't go out at all when I'm alone with them - quite honestly staying home is more fun than battling and stressing and the likes - and I also wait for DH to go anywhere! Bad, I know - but I do realise they have to get out 'into the real world' at some stage so will have to start being a little more brave (shake shake) lol x

http://www.jozikids.co.za/johannesburg/to_eat/restaurants/pretoria/

Zellie, try these places maybe, they come recommended on Jozikids, and you generally cannot go wrong with them

AMS - Glad I am not the only one

DJG - Thank you. I am definitely going to Jingle Jangle Tea Garden, I looked at their website and looks nice. Going to give their details to my SIL because I think it's an excellent party venue for a 4 year old. I also had a look at the Pretoria botanical garden website and they do picnics

Have a lovely weekend.

Luv
Zellie

I found my boys would just get bred being at home sometimes and it was easier taking them out. straped in the pram they were really not difficult but now they are causing big headaches as they want out of the pram!!

today I let them out in wollies and they were running in two directions I need my harneses.

He-he Kerry Can just imagine what a handful it must be with two running in opposite directions.

Luv
Zellie

I pop the twins into the trolley and miss D into the seat, or she takes the small Spar trolleys - she loves that. I take them out in their pram too, just with a few snacks and that works fine. Restaurants - we do it sOmetimes but not often. The girls want to walk so it is an incredible mission, we do not sit at all. So not too often, but once in a while - when we have forgotten how difficult it is! Miss D is OK now at 4, so in another 3 years we'll be fine - haha! I think it is easier for me already used to taking D everywhere, so I just added the twins - I took them out solo the day after they were discharged form ICU, but it was an emergency - no bottles!

I hope that the places turn out awesome Zellie!

In the beginning we would go out all the time with them - ie to dinner in their little car seats and they would just sleep. Hubby seemed to think we could carry on indefinitely like this until they were 9 months old and we went out to dinner for his b/day and the babies refused to sleep and Michael wanted to crawl around and they basically created chaos!

These days we occasionally go out to lunch together to a baby friendly spot like a nursery or something. But if friends suggest a girls tea / meal out with kiddies I suggest people coming to our house rather as I find it very difficult to control both of them crawling / walking around a restaurant investigating everything. It's just not fun and I don't end up relaxing at all. I do take them out for casual shopping in the push chair on my own occasionally but I really prefer to take my husband - makes for a more pleasant outing! They are both walking now and don't like being "contained" for long periods of time. Actually - I like the harness idea!

Sjoe........I scared of handling one on my own, imagine you ladies with twins.
Take my hat of to you. Especially you DJG single mom and all, and not to mention an the ex! We wont go there!