We know it looked bad. Four toddlers being dragged to church on leashes. Walking in circles, wrapping the leads around their necks and/or their siblings' necks, trapping their parents like mummies in a crisscross of brown stripes. Unaware of the laws of physics, trying to run and getting yanked back abruptly by the tethers, crashing to the asphalt and wondering what in the world just happened.
Thanks so much to those of you who offered to help us get the kids from point A to point B (we only declined because we need to learn how to do this on our own), as well as to those of you who so kindly held the doors open for embarrassed parents with no free hands. And thank you, thank you, thank you for not calling CPS on us. We promise to try something different next time.
Sincerely,
A traumatized mom and dad who will definitely wait until the kids are older before using the leashes again!
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| Before beginning our harrowing journey (notice that Isaac is already trying to strangle himself!) |
12 comments:
It took a LONG time before our kids got used to the leashes. We wore the backpacks around the house for a while before trying them outside. Once they were used to them (and ENJOYED them) inside, we attached the leashes and went outside - they loved it! Maybe try them out at home for a few days and then try again!
We did practice wearing the backpacks beforehand, and they loved them. They just don't realize that they can't go in whatever direction they want when the leashes are attached. It was chaos! Maybe we'll practice around the neighborhood a bit before trying it again. :)
Sorry, I had to laugh. Don't feel bad. Mine hated his and still does! He either did what yours did or fall down on ground kicking and screaming drawing even more unwanted attention. You probably just made the other church goes say a prayer of thanks. One day you will look back at this and laugh, just maybe not today! lol
Oh no!! Sorry your first time wasn't much better than ours. The good news is, ours are slowly getting better with them. We've taken a few trips around the neighborhood and things are improving. Yes, that cruel lesson when the tail reaches its limit and their bottoms hit the concrete is tough-- but they do learn. I'm also doing a better job at seperating them and not getting frazzled. Good luck!
Oh no! I had hoped for better, but I did read a similar story to yours early on in my triplet mommyhood. And my singleton had the same trouble with getting to the end of her slack and just sitting down, so it's not just the multiples factor.
I'm trying the rope technique they use in preschool, where the kids all hold on to the rope and walk together. Only I'm making my "rope" out of fabric, and since we're still pretty little it has wrist straps to keep them tethered should they decide to let go and dart off. I'll let you know how it goes!
Also, thinking about the no hands free thing for parents, I think I'll make mine so I can fasten it to my belt loop if I don't want to or can't hold on to it.
Multiples sure make us think creatively, don't they?
Christy
After reading this post, I checked the ages of your quads and burst out laughing!! I used to teach preschool, and oh my, they are like herding cats until they are about 3 years old. =) I'm sure you will figure out ways to keep everyone safe and mobile before then, but yes, it's about 3 years of age before you can actually expect them to follow directions, walk in a line, reliably hold hands all in public, etc. I realize the leashes are to help before they can follow all the safety directions, but you need some.. like "walk over here" or "follow mommy" and those are still really hard until kids are older (especially in a crazy, distracting environment like a parking lot or mall). If you keep at it though, they'll learn! I love your sense of humor about the whole ordeal, too!! They will get older and all of this will get a lot easier =)
Thanks for the encouragement, Emily! The leashes say for 18 months and up, but based on yesterday's experience, we definitely figured out that our kids need to be much older than that! Someone suggested holding onto a rope like in preschool, and I knew that would be doomed to fail as well ... herding cats is exactly how my husband described it, too. He says we're using the stroller for the foreseeable future. :)
I love the humor you added to your story. I am sure at the time it was far from funny. For what it's worth they look adorable in their monkey back packs! Better luck next time!
Yeah, we never had much success "leashing" our twins -- maybe we didn't stick with it enough. We DID have good success getting in to church using a single stroller and holding the other twin's hand; maybe you could try that for each of you, using inexpensive umbrella strollers?
Now that they're 2 1/3 (every month helps!), we've ditched the stroller at church and only lose them occasionally. =)
((HUGS))Momma! I found it nearly impossible to wrangle one child with a little backpack/leash ... can't imagine 4. Kudos to you for just getting out there and trying!!
HAHAHA! Suzy: I think 18 months and up assumes at least one parent per child! Yikes - sorry it was so frustrating. But at least everyone got in safely, right? I think with more practice and maybe a few months older you'll be fine! And although I agree that you need to figure out how to do it for yourselves in some situations, I would argue that church is not necessarily one of them. You've got a parking lot full of people who are delighted to see you and have been praying for your family for the last 2 years or more... Park the car look around, and ask for help!
I stumbled upon your blog when googling "choo choo wagon". I have 17 month old twins and am expecting a SINGLE baby this summer. I absolutely loved your monkey leash post. It made me laugh so hard I cried I have tried the leashes on my boys and got the same results!-- so I can imagine what it was like with 4!
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