Baby wrangling question

[Anonymous]

Question for you experienced baby wranglers! I have young charges (22 months and almost 3) and going out is sometimes too much of an adventure. I need some advice and suggestions on how to handle very spirited little ones, who aren't always the best at listening. I usually have no issue taking them to places I'm very familiar with like the park or store, but the idea of a crowded zoo or museum gives me so much anxiety! I'm not to keen on the idea of a "baby leash" but safety comes first. I like being able to have something to contain them in like a stroller or wagon...but that's not always an option. Thanks in advance!

[Anonymous]

You do not go to the museum with toddlers. You do not go to the zoo without a stroller. You stay pleasant and firm when needed and expect them to act their age, not 6! If it is too much work for you, you should build experience before taking a position like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do not go to the museum with toddlers. You do not go to the zoo without a stroller. You stay pleasant and firm when needed and expect them to act their age, not 6! If it is too much work for you, you should build experience before taking a position like this.

I take my 2 y/o charge to the museum AND the zoo and he loves it. So get off your high horse, you don't know it all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You do not go to the museum with toddlers. You do not go to the zoo without a stroller. You stay pleasant and firm when needed and expect them to act their age, not 6! If it is too much work for you, you should build experience before taking a position like this.

Ill bet you sate the sh*t out of your charges.

[Anonymous]

Scare*

[Anonymous]

OP don't listen to the one bossy poster, I took my 22 month old twin charges to the museum, the zoo, the library, even a street festival once.
-Make your rules for walking independantly VERY clear, and practice them on regular neighborhood outings
-Take a stroller and a carrier option if 22 month old will still use it
-Let them walk when the crowds thin (hold the littler one's hand if you need to)
Take snacks and drinks as they will get bored wherever you are at least every 5 minutes
Don't be stressed out if your outings only last 45-1 hour
Most of all, just be confident and in control, Good luck!

[Anonymous]

With two toddlers, I simply don't see a safe way of one adult bringing them somewhere without at least a carrier or one-child stroller. Preferably a two-child stroller.

I used to have charges 14months apart. I used to practice staying together, especially with the older one. I'd allow her to walk independently at a familiar park. I'd tell her, "can you go out to that bench and then come back here?" For some reason, she liked this game, and got used to knowing where I was. From there I was able to give her simple directions, such as don't go beyond a fence. On occasion when she didn't obey, I would strap her into the stroller for a minute and told her she can only walk around if she listens. That only needed to happen a few times. I agree with the pp that these skills need to be practiced before you are in that situation.

I think most 3y.o. are capable of staying with their caregivers if they are taught how to do that.

[Anonymous]

A couple of things we would do:

Start playing red light, green light. Instead of yelling at them to stop if they started running off, I would say "red light" and they knew they had to stop running.

Another thing I taught them about safety. I would tell them that one of my jobs was to keep them safe and if they ran to where I couldn't see them, I couldn't keep them safe.

They also knew we would have to hold hands or the stroller if we went anywhere in crowds.

We would go to the zoo, museums, festivals, everywhere and because they knew the rules and because we practiced them everywhere we went, going out was never an issue.

[Anonymous]

Stroller and a buggy board - attaches to the stroller and the 3 year old can stand on it.

The 22 months will get tired walking for medium distances so unless you want to carry around I would advise taking the stroller where ever possible. Get the 3 year old to hold your hand and walk next to you - depending upon the 3 year olds temperament you may find he/she wants to stay close in a crowd anyway as they can be a bit scary/ overwhelming for young children.

Trips to the park and museums are great ideas. The kids may not get the same things out of them as adults do but what a great way to introduce new ideas and words to them!

Aquariums are another cool activity - you can eat lunch inside as well and they are great for rainy days

[Anonymous]

WTF do you do with a 2 and 3 year old at a museum? I am assuming an art museum, not children's museum. I don't see an art museum being much fun for a child under 4, though I do not live in DC, so your museum could be kid friendly. And I take my 3 charges all over the place, but would never go to the zoo without a stroller! If they run off, buckle them down. But also expect for them to run and play and not listen to every command as if they are older! How does that make me bossy? I am fun, firm, and highly qualified. I have no problem taking my twin toddlers plus their older sibling swimming or anywhere else. If you can't handle your charges, you should find a job you are better suited for to gain experience! I would be EXTREMELY uncomfortable if a nanny to my own children felt the way OP does!

[Anonymous]

OP, the answer is that you need to figure out rules that you feel can guarantee safety under most curcumstances. I have worked with several sets of twins, and for me that means that we hold hands when I say we hold hands, with no pulling away. I am also particular about HOW we hold hands; Ihave them hold my extended forefinger amd wrap my remaining fingers and thumb around their wrist. This gives me a better grasp if they try to dart away. I can hold their wrist rather than slippery fingers, which gives me enough control to remind them that they have to stay with me.

I also think knowing your "route" can be helpful. Are you in DC? If so, I am happy to talk you through the logistics of a few museums/the National Zoo.

Basically, the discipline comes down to practice.

[Anonymous]

You do not take small children to museums for hours at a time, but for maybe an hour or so, depending on how stimulating it is for them. When little ones start breaking down at museums, it is time to leave because they have had enough. Their minds are trying to handle all this stimuli at once, so you have to know when it is enough for them. Also try just sticking to the child friendly parts of the museums first.

Start by just going to see one section of a museum and then leave or go outside for awhile and see if they are ready to back, and if not, just go home.

One of the great things about living in the DC area, are all the museums. And other than during tourist season, they are great places to bring small children.

[Anonymous]

But what do toddlers get out of a visit to an art museum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But what do toddlers get out of a visit to an art museum?

Exposure to art.

Have you never seen Alexander Calder's mobiles at the National Gallery of Art? Toddlers love those mobiles. I had a little girl who would sit for long periods of time watching them.


NP

[Anonymous]

Don't leave home on a big outing without a stroller. Seriously. At this age they are able to understand that of they dint stick with you they get strapped into the stroller. Then follow through.