3 kids under 4 years...help simplify this!!!?

Question

2x a week my oldest goes to pre school, which is on the second floor across from an indoor playground. To get him there (I have no sitters) I must take my 2yr old twins, one in each hand. When I get there I fight to keep my oldest from running into the playground. Then I must let go of a twin to put on the oldests indoor shoes while the twin runns either to the elevator or into the playground (which is packed with people).
Then when I claim the run away child I must stand in a line of mothers and wait to sign my oldest in. (again, involving letting go of a twin...him running...me scrambling). Then I need to move across the room to the cubby holes pulling twins away from pre school toys (they are not allowed to touch orderofschool),. When I pick him up again, to kids in each hand, waiting in a lineup for 15 minuts, letting go to sign him out, chasing twin, letting go to put on outdoor shoes, chasing twin, fighting past the indoor playground.How can I simplify this. I have no 1 2 help?

I do have a double stroller but does not fit through doorways in the preschool.
No one in the school helps, they just laugh and tell me I have my hands full.

I forgot to add that I did try the leash thing, both my twins hate it and will basicly refuse to walk!lol.
I do disiplyn my children, they are usually well behaved, exept when we go out.
My bo works bad hours and is usually not able to help. When they were younger, I NEVER took them out, it was too much by myself, now that they are older, we have started going out lots, they are good on walks, in stores I put one in the basket in the shopping cart, one in the seat in the shopping cart and my oldest is beside me.
This is a little different, because, the indoor playground we go to a lot, so now when we have to pass it, they don't understand why we cant play.
My oldest listens when he wants to. I think anyone that has a 3-4 year old will tell you the same, so no more coments from the childless know it alls!...lol.
Again, he is very good most of the time when we go out, but he gets really exited when he see's that playground. Same with the twins.
The school insists on indoor shoes.

Answer 1

The harnesses they make now are so much better than the wrist straps...they seemed very unsafe. They are no designed so you can yank your children around, just so that you'd feel if they left your side. I have a 2 year old and have this one:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4837494

It's a soft backpack and he loves wearing it. It's sold at Wal-Mart for around $9...it's great and people never give me looks...after all I am just trying to protect my child. They are adorable and everyone always says "what a great idea!"

Answer 2

I had similar problems last year, my children were then 4, 3, 1 1/2 and I was pregnant with my fourth. To get to their preschool, where the 4 year old went MWF, the 3 year old went TTh, I had to go downstairs. The problem was that my then 1 1/2 year old was not walking yet!! (she does now-she is 2 1/2 and started walking at age 2!!) So being pregnant I had to have her in a stroller since I was completely unable to carry her. My children are very well behaved though, your kids run around and do not listen-then that is your fault! You need to have firmer rules with them now they are only going to be more out of control as three year olds. Anyway-this year we switched preschools for this reason. Just do the best you can with them. Try the baby "leashes" if you must I guess. When you tell them to stay by your side they should listen to you-use a firm, serious voice, and if they do not behave then take away a priviledge (sp?), for instance tv, a dessert, a favorite toy, a playground trip, and repeat every day -they will get it eventually. How do you get to stores or church, etc with that behavior?

Answer 3

Eliminate one hand, either by using a stoller for one or a baby backpack. Something the child can't get out of easily or quickly. Also, pat yourself on the back, you must be an amazing mother to not be completly crazy and others are probably in awe of you. You might want to ask for some help, maybe those who laugh and don't help feel akward asking. A lot of mom's out there nowadays act very offended when outsiders offer help. You can try the baby leashes, but every time i have ever seen one in use by a kid who didn't want to go somewhere it always ended up being mom carrying kid to avoid literally dragging said child on the floor. It will get better and easier and try and count your blessings on being able to have happy healthy kids, although i know it's not easy at those moments.

Answer 4

Boy can I relate to this kind of stress. :-) Some suggestions --

Can you pick up your preschooler a little bit early (10 minutes or something) and drop off a little late, so you don't have to wait in the line? Most preschools will let you do that. Assign your oldest the big boy task of holding on to a twin's other (free) hand to keep them safe while you go in, so you don't have to worry about him running off. Does your oldest really need different outdoor/indoor shoes? If not, unless there's a foot of snow or something, skip that step. If it's really necessary, make either or both sets of shoes ones that your 3-year-old can put on himself (most 3-year-olds can handle shoes with velcro, and you can draw little happy faces on the inside and tell him if the faces are kissing the shoes will be ready to go on the correct feet). If you practice at home, he will get it. What kind of stuff does your older one need to put in the cubby? Can he carry his own knapsack or whatever so you can keep hold of the twin's hands? Do you even need to walk over there at all, or can you just watch him carry his own stuff over?

You can also try having a special set of toys for your 2-year-olds to hold *only* at pick-up and drop-off time. You may also have to sing to them, talk nonstop, and otherwise look stupid ;-) to keep them distracted.

But the best advice and easiest on you (short of carpooling) would be to buy a back-and-front double stroller instead of the wide side-by-side one. Not too expensive if you get it second-hand on the computer, and think of all the medical stress-related bills you'll be saving yourself. :-) If your twins aren't too big, you might also be able to put one in a backpack. Good luck!

Answer 5

Leashes. Yep like dogs wear. But they make em for kids that attach around the chest. You'll get some funny looks, maybe comments, but the heck with them.
It'll work, your kids will be safe and you'll be less harried.

The fact that they're made means someone is buy them so you're not the first. In fact an Aunt I have said she used em on her kids in the 50's.
Listed below is one of hundreds, Google "child leash" and "safety harness".

Answer 6

I have a my daughter will be 4 next month, I have a 20 month old and a 9 week old; I swear by my double stroller. It also helps to get your oldest involved in helping if the twins are old enough to walk let the toddler hold on to one of their hands it makes them feel helpful and helps you at the same time

Answer 7

I think what it boils down to is that you need to have better control of your kids...
get a double leash for the twins - I know they have them - I have seen lots of parents with them...
dont let them get away with crap like running off - be firm - disapline big time.. ther is NO WAY a 2 yr old should be running off at any time...

you have your hands full and probably are not able to keep up with all your kids to the ideal that you should be... so I suggest using the time the older kid is in preschool to set some ground rules for the twins - NO RUNNING OFF!

take them for walks etc and make sure they stick with you at all times - there is NO excuse for them running away...
same wiht your older kid.. he shouldnt be running into the playground - and if he is its becuase you havent got him under control - no way should a kid think its ok to run off...

so my suggestion is simply better parenting.. dont expect anyone else to help you - it is not their job to help you - it is YOUR job to teach your children correct behavior.

Answer 8

i have to agree w/ above...while i'm not a fan...of lets call them harnesses (or they have ones at babies are us you can get that are on their wrist I believe...there are a lot of options for you to look into....but it can't hurt to keep them next to you - with perhaps a little leway to explore - but not completely out of your reach...I think it will give you peace of mind, and help you focus on the tasks at hand, without worrying. Only use it when you feel your hands are full! I know it seems mean to do, but it'll solve your problems...can't hurt to TRY it for a few weeks and see if it improves things.

Answer 9

Look at the link I am putting below... it's a good idea... the leash thing, but for toddlers they are called harnesses. And these are pretty cheap. My mom used to use one on my little brother. Good Luck!

Answer 10

find another mother in the preschool that is simular in your issues and just ask her if she would like to help each other in both of ya'lls never ending efforts in parenting
make a plan and each of you share in watching while the other signs in or whatever...
maybe even start a car pool together one takes the kids..
one stays in the carpool with the other kids..
and take turns