If you are the parent of two (or more) little ones, you know that getting ready to leave the house can be a feat in itself! There are SO many things that you have to help each child do (get dressed, sit on the potty, put on socks and shoes, etc), and navigating all of these steps, plus packing your bag and getting YOURSELF ready can feel like a lot.
Add in any (normal and common) toddler or preschooler resistance or behaviors, and it can feel extra difficult!
One of the reasons that leaving the house can be so overwhelming is that you are helping your child(ren) through a major transition. They are going from one thing (playing, hanging out, eating, etc) to another (going potty, getting shoes on, getting into their car seat, etc).
Transitions are notoriously difficult for young kids, so if your child is struggling, you are not alone! Most children do not like to stop one thing and go to the next, especially when they are doing something they really enjoy.
The best thing you can do to help mitigate the struggle is to warn them in advance that a transition is coming up and then follow a consistent routine for how you get out of the house.
Here is a sample routine for leaving the house with a baby and a preschooler:
Making the steps of this routine predictable (ie. it happens the same way over time) is key. I love using a visual timer to help your preschooler count down until they have to transition to the steps to leave the house. This helps them “see” how much time they have left to play as well as provide a clear transition point between the steps, which leads to fewer transition-related meltdowns and protests.
As always, individualize the above routine to fit your unique child(ren) and family’s needs and home layout. And remember - it can take time to see changes in how smoothly transitions go. Be consistent with implementing new tactics and don’t give up!
Looking for more guidance on how to structure your child’s daily routine? Struggling with specific parts of the day like bedtime, picky eating during meals, or tantrums? Check out my COMPREHENSIVE DAILY ROUTINE GUIDES. These multi-page digital download guides will teach you exactly how to structure your baby or child’s routine with simple and realistic tips and strategies that work!
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Jessica Rapp Irwin, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist, childhood routine expert, and lover of all things child development. She is the founder of Rooted in Routine, an online parenting education community and platform, to help parents learn simple, easy to implement routines for optimal child development for babies and young kids. She is passionate about educating parents on NORMAL, HEALTHY development, which is often simpler than we think. Jessica’s approach is largely rooted in going back to the basics to help you establish solid, age-appropriate routines for your child for things like eating, play, and sleep. She believes this is the most important foundation you can provide for your child - and she wants to help you do just that!
Learn more about Jessica here and follow her on Instagram to connect.