SAHM's how often do you go out with your kids?

[alishalea]

I just would like to hear from others to know what is normal. I have a 3 year old and an 11 month old. Before the younger one was born I left the house everyday with my oldest. We went to 2 different story times, the gym 3 times a week, Bible study, play dates, etc. We were constantly going places. After I had my youngest we continued to do all of that, and I just put him in the sling. Now he is obviously too big for the sling and needs his two naps a day. We have stopped leaving and usually stay home about 4 days out of the week. I save all errands for when my DH is home and go by myself. The boys play together all day long, so I'm not really worried about socialization. The one day we do leave is to a preschool program, and of course we have church on Sundays. We are having fun at home, and I'm not feeling the need to go all the time. I've started doing crafts with the oldest, and canning and sewing etc.

So, do they need to be getting out more? Do most SAHM's leave the house all the time when they have multiple kids? Just curious. Thanks!

Alisha

[Admin Jorelanu]

I usually took the kids out 3-5 days a week when they were that old, I just planned around naps.

I would pack lunch and after morning nap we would go to the park/playground...eat lunch there and then head home for afternoon nap. We'd go to the zoo in the morning..it's a 45mindrive so the lil one would take her morning nap in the car on the way there and then the'd both crash for the afternoon in the car on the way home.

I had a double stroller so I did all my errands with them, just stuck them in the stroller with toys and a snack.

Jore

[bran0224]

At that age, I also just planned around naps but tried to get out (even if it was just for an errand) most days. They get bored and tired of seeing and doing the same ole thing. Do you enjoy staying cooped up allday everyday? They dont either. I know its hard, but it does get easier. But let them tag along for an errand and its good to put both kids' needs in perspective. I'll be honest, Im surprised the 3 yr old isnt acting out because of boredom. Mine LOVES to go, even if its to Target, he just loves to GO.

[My2Blessings]

Well, I only have one so I may not count in this, but we only leave the house 2 days a week. Occasionally, we may leave Friday too, but not usually. We go to Bible Study on Tuesday and DD is in the nursery with other kids for 2 hours, then she has MDO on Thursday and she is there for 5 hours. We are talking about adding a music class, but haven't decided yet. I have never been the type to have her out and about everyday. I believe kids need downtime at home. Although, my SIL does different activities with my nephew everyday and it works great for them. I think it is whatever you are comfortable with doing.

I like to have downtime at home and I try to clean a little everyday, so I stay busy enough at home with DD. If I was out running around everyday, then I don't know when I would get my cleaning done.

[Admin shilton]

I took DS out quite a bit, but they are 7 years apart so there is a huge age gap. DD not so much, because I had a home daycare when she was little and the laws required me to have so much insurance on my vehicle to take my daycare kids anywhere I couldn't afford it.

[Mommy2Parker]

My DS will be 3 in May and we go out a couple times a week. Probably would be more than that, but we don't have any family around to visit. We take DS everywhere with us and usually if I run out to do some GG shopping, DS comes with me. He likes to be out, but he also likes to be home too.

I say if you are stimulating them enough at home with fun activities, crafts, etc (which it sounds like you are doing), then there is nothing wrong with being home. :)

[ampgrl88]

When mine was a baby we only got out one day a week, maybe 2 if we were lucky. We only had one car and dh used it to go to work. We went to town every Saturday with my mom and ds went everywhere with me. If what you're doing works, I wouldn't worry about it.

[alishalea]

We have just started this and it does seem to be working for now anyway. I think I just realized why we are all of the sudden staying home all the time. It is the weather. They were getting sick at the gym, too cold for the park, and I just hate stuffing squirmy kids into coats. I'm so glad I don't live in a colder area! They sure aren't complaining, so I'll leave it alone for now. As soon as things warm up, I'm sure we will be out more often again. In the mean time, all these new Christmas toys are really getting played with. Thanks for the replies. I think I will stop worrying about it.

[tmtorrijos]

If I'm not working, I take my kids out pretty much every day. It has been this way their entire lives. On the rare occasion that we do stay home, my house gets destroyed! My 3 year old wakes up every day asking where we're going. My kids are 19 months apart. Not sure if that matters.

[jchaney121]

Mine are 5 and 1, with another on the way...

DS5 is now at school all day 5 days a week, so I usually only have 1 with me. If I have to do some shopping or go out, I will, but I prefer not to. I'm just not a person that likes to go out around a lot of other people, so we stay at home if we can. I find that with 2 kids, plus being so tired from pregnancy...I just get overwhelmed easily. Plus, there are plenty of kids in the neighborhood to play with, and then we can be at home and still have fun. And save money. It works for us.

[Lilly's Mommy]

I am a huge advocate for kids napping in bed so when DD#1 was little we only went out around her naps. This meant that we stayed in a great deal of the time when she was napping more than once a day. Now that I have two, I still plan around naps. DD#2 is really small now so she sleeps in a sling but once she hits two months I will change my schedule because she will have to nap in bed. So, we'll be leaving a LOT less. Currently we are out of the house 3-4 mornings a week. However, like I said, soon this will change. We'll just have to have more playdates here so that the older one still gets the interaction that she loves and the younger one will have her bed.

[My2Blessings]

I am a huge advocate for kids napping in bed so when DD#1 was little we only went out around her naps. This meant that we stayed in a great deal of the time when she was napping more than once a day. Now that I have two, I still plan around naps. DD#2 is really small now so she sleeps in a sling but once she hits two months I will change my schedule because she will have to nap in bed. So, we'll be leaving a LOT less. Currently we are out of the house 3-4 mornings a week. However, like I said, soon this will change. We'll just have to have more playdates here so that the older one still gets the interaction that she loves and the younger one will have her bed.

I guess that is why we don't go out much. I am very concerned about DD staying on schedule and part of that is her napping in her bed. If we do go out it is scheduled around her nap times. When we have the new baby (in Aug), then we will also schedule around her nap times.

[tmtorrijos]

Even though we go out pretty much everyday, I agree about napping at home. I just think life is better when everyone naps at the same time, in the same place. Especially when the kids are little.

[alishalea]

We loaded up and went to the park today between my little ones 2 naps. I can't remember when kids go down to just one nap a day. That will make life a little easier. I totally agree about naps. I was messing up the younger ones nap to make sure the older one made it to story time and all the other places we were going. I finally decided it just wasn't worth it. It always equaled a fussy afternoon. Thanks again for the replies.

Lilly's Mommy, enjoy that sling time. I miss it so much. I stretched it as long as I could even though it was hurting my back. I think my DS was around 4.5 months when I finally had to stop. When I looked down and his feet were hanging out the end and Alieve was becoming my best friend, I had to let it go. Ah, I miss it!

[My2Blessings]

I think they give up the 2nd nap around a year... maybe someone else will remember better than me. It has been a while. :)

[tmtorrijos]

Mine gave up second naps around 18 months.