tips for a successful baby bunching outing

By Amanda Wright

I am definitely not a Type A buncher, and even with three little ones (3, 2 and 8 months) my fundamentally laid-back personality chafes when our schedule becomes too full and our commitments turn burdensome.  As much as such an existence is possible in the bunching world, I strive to maintain a stress-free approach to our daily lives.  However, my desire to not be a drill sergeant has at times backfired and mornings can become a whinefest when we are trying to arrive on time to an event - be it a playdate, lunch with Daddy, church, or so forth.

Therefore, it became necessary for this bunching mom to create a routine to ensure that I could maintain my cool on mornings when we must leave the house by a certain time.  Through trial and error, here are my tips to achieving stress free pre-outing preparation with your bunch:

1. Tell your bunch - yes even baby! - the night before what the game plan is for the following morning. “Tomorrow we have a playdate with the Jones crew, so that means in the morning we will eat breakfast and then right away get washed up, dressed and our hair fixed.  After those things are done, you can play until it is time to go.”  Now when they wake up, they will already know what to expect.  I am sure that I do not have the only 2 and 3 year olds who lay in bed in the morning and think about/discuss what they want to do after breakfast, and letting them know the night before eliminates a lot of potential whining or arguing (“But Mooooommy, I reeeeeally wanted to play baaaaabies after breakfast!!”).  I also strongly advocate for the approach of getting the kids fully ready first thing - that way when it is almost time to leave all that remains for them to do is have a last bathroom trip and put on shoes/coats.
2. Have the diaper bag and/or lunch bag packed and ready to go the night before. Somehow when I restock the diaper bag at night while the house is quiet and my attention isn’t being pulled elsewhere, the task takes me approximately 90 seconds - occasionally up to 5 minutes if I need to run to the laundry room for extra back-up clothes or bibs.  Yet when I try to tackle it while the kids are running around it takes me no less than 15 minutes and I *still* forget things. If there are lunch items that have to stay refrigerated until right before you leave, jot down a list and stick it where you will see it before you leave the house!  This will help ensure you aren’t needing to turn around right as you leave the neighborhood because you suddenly realize the fruit salad you’re supposed to bring for everyone in playgroup to share is sitting forlornly on the shelf in the fridge.  
3. Have your own clothes laid out, and if possible wake up just 15 minutes before your bunch does.  This is not always a possibility, whether from sheer exhaustion or because you have a baby whose current wake-up call beckons you from slumber at the unholy hour of 5:00 a.m.  And since I shower at night, if I am up 15 - 20 minutes before my bunch I can wash up, put on my makeup and straighten or style my hair and be all ready to go.  Trying to do those things with 3 little ones intent on dismantling my bathroom drawers is NOT conducive to a stress-free morning.  
4. Great!  Now you’re all ready to go but you’ve been so efficient that it’s 40 minutes prior to the time you need to depart - what to do?  DON’T make the mistake that I have made so many times and become caught up in a few last minute chores, or reading a few too many books and wind up later than if you hadn’t been so prepared!  Instead, enjoy the fact that you can avoid rushing, that you don’t have to bark at the kids to “Just GET YOUR COAT ON already!!”,  and load your bunch up so that you can hit up Starbucks on the way to your destination.  Now that’s a great start to your day!

Amanda is an uber-buncher who survives and thrives with her three (3, 2, and 8 months) by means of family, friends, Starbucks and prayer - but not always in that order.

Comments

[Melissa Risenhoover]

Love, love, love this blog post!! As a mom of a 2, 1 and 10 week old I feel like getting out of the house is almost impossible some days. These are great tips that I will use now and I am sure it will help!! It's also great to have someone else going through the same thing I am. And NOT being type A. :)
Thanks!
Melissa

[Nicole]

So true!!! I have 3 under 3 and couldn't agree more!
thanks!
nicole

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