Leaving the House with Kids Should Be an Olympic Sport (Here’s How I Do It)

Before my second baby was born, I was honestly intimidated by the whole idea of having two kids. But the thing that stressed me out the most? The thought of packing two bags, getting two little people dressed, and actually making it out the door to go anywhere really. Just the mental load of it felt overwhelming.

A little backstory: my husband works for our local church, so 1–2 nights a week I’m solo parenting. And on Sunday mornings? I’m the one getting the kids to church because he’s already working. I remember feeling like such a BOSS MOM when I managed to get my son dressed and out the door on time. But with two kids? I had no clue how that was going to work.

Here’s the thing though—I’m someone who has to get out of the house. Staying home all day makes me CRAZY. So I knew I needed a system that allowed me to leave the house with both kids without completely losing it. After a lot of trial and error, I’ve found a few things that make a HUGE difference and I wanted to share them with you! 

Tip #1: Always, always bring a baby wrap.

If your baby is under 6 months, a wrap is going to be your best friend. Hands-free for your toddler, baby snuggled up close—win-win.

When I had two under two, these wraps saved me. I’d put one on before leaving the house (bonus points if it matched my outfit), and as soon as we got where we were going, baby went in the wrap before I even touched my toddler’s car seat. Smooth and stress-free. You can save on Solly Baby wraps with code "INFANTINSIGHTS" at checkout!

Tip #2: Graduate to a carrier.

Once your baby is a little bigger, a structured carrier is just as much of a lifesaver. I still use mine with my 20-month-old when I need two free hands and one contained toddler.

I’m obsessed with the Tush Baby options because they grow with your child—you can use the Snug Seat when they’re little and just the hip seat once they’re older and don’t want to be wrapped. Seriously, it makes errands so much easier. You can save on Tush Baby using code "INFANTINSIGHTS" at checkout!

Tip #3: Pack the stroller, even if you think you won’t need it.

Trust me on this one. The stroller has saved me more times than I can count. Quick Target run without a cart? Got it. Random walk to the park? Covered. Even if it stays in the trunk, knowing it’s there takes the pressure off. We love our Zoe Double stroller! Save on Zoe Strollers using this link (discount automatically applies!). 

Tip #4: No shopping carts? We're not going!

This might sound dramatic, but I refuse to take my kids into a store that doesn’t have shopping carts. One toddler walking is fine. Two toddlers loose in a store? Absolute chaos.

That’s why my go-tos are Target (obviously), Sam’s Club, Aldi, and Publix. If I can strap at least one kid into a cart, we’re golden. And if the cart has steering wheels or two seats? That’s basically hitting the jackpot.

PRO TIP: Publix has shopping carts that look like cars and they give away free cookies / balloons! Thank me later 😘 

Tip #5: Start getting ready early.

Here’s a little sanity saver—don’t wait until the last second to pack up. I wish I was the mom who preps everything the night before, but I’m not. Instead, I work it into our morning.

While the kids eat breakfast, I start getting myself ready nearby. Then I pack their bags, set out clothes, and tidy up a bit. I might hand them a new toy, or even turn on the TV, to keep them busy while I finish getting dressed. Once I’m ready, then I dress them, load everyone up, and we’re out the door (sometimes even early 🙌).

Tip #6: Bring toys and snacks—always.

My secret weapon? Toy rotations. A few little cars, fidgets, or books in the bag make car rides and restaurant waits so much easier. Shop my TOP toys for on-the-go here!

And snacks. Always snacks. Honestly, in our house, snacks are basically toys. Our current favorites are Made Good bars, That’s It bars, Goldfish, and applesauce pouches. They’re affordable, the kids love them, and they buy me a solid 10–15 minutes of peace.

Tip #7: Plan around naps.

If you know, you know—naps can make or break your day. I’ve always been big on routine, so I plan outings around them.

When my second was a newborn, my toddler was down to one nap, so mornings were our window to get out. The baby could nap in the wrap or carrier, and we were always home by the afternoon so both kids could nap in their cribs. That overlap nap? Non-negotiable in our house. It’s my reset button.

Struggling with sleep? Book a free call with me and let's problem solve together!

Tip #8: Keep expectations realistic.

Here’s the truth: taking multiple kids out by yourself is never going to be perfect, no matter how it appears online. Some days it’s great, some days it’s a disaster. I remind myself that meltdowns happen, boundaries get tested, and sometimes we leave the store early. That’s life with little ones.

And if your kid screams in the middle of Target? You’re not alone. We’ve all been there.

At the end of the day, I don’t want you to be scared of getting out with your kids. Yes, it’s chaotic, but it’s also so good for your mental health. Try a few of these tricks and see what works for you. And as always—take what you need and leave the rest.

I’m so grateful to be part of your motherhood journey. Thanks for letting me share mine.

Enjoy your day!