Let's Talk Leaving the House

Why does it take so long to leave the house? Seriously. By the time, all four of have gotten out of the house, I am usually sweaty, angry, without sunglasses and in need of a beverage. For the last couple of days, I have been solo parenting while Bobby has been traveling with Northwestern. He gets back on the red eye at 1:30 Sunday morning. We are celebrating a friend's birthday party on Sunday. I know by that time on Sunday, I'm going to be exhausted mentally and physically. So how can

Share it


As I was sitting down to prepare myself for all that I need to do to get ready, I realized that I never share my "Perfect Morning" with Bobby. I never share what I need to happen so that everyone can be happy, prepared, and on-time. So it's only a mystery to everyone else why I'm so upset by the time I buckle my seat belt. As you know, I have a love affair with all things Google. So I put it our shared Google calendar. I wrote down everything- I even put down times. Do I expect this all go down like a clockwork? Heck no. But, do I hope that it helps everyone know what needs to happen before we leave so it's not all on me? You bet.

Magic Carpet

You guys. If you haven't tried Magic Carpet yet, please do. Susie Allison of @busytoddler taught me this one. We're still working it into the routine, but it really has helped out. When you or your kid has decided that they are ready to go, they stand on the magic carpet. Our Magic Carpet is the doormat by the front door. Sometimes if you are the first one on the Magic Carpet, you get a sucker. Not every time, but if you are especially fast and without argument - you can bet something good is coming your way.

Get Yourself Ready First

You know on an airplane when it says "Put your Mask on first, before assisting others". This is the case with Parenthood as well. When I'm getting ready to leave the house with our whole family, I make sure that I feel my best before everyone else. Most of the time, this includes me waking up early before everyone else. Also if that means waking up the crack of dawn- don't do that. Can you shower the night before? Can you dry shampoo? Do you have to actually wash your hair? What about a French Braid? But whatever the case, take care of yourself. When you feel good and look good, you can do anything. As Emily Ley once said - When you have straightened hair, you feel like you can do anything.

Put the S in the Car Before

Let's make our lives easier by not having to carry diaper bags, birthday presents, coffees, and all of the other million things while also trying to get little people out to the car. The night before, the hour before, during nap - put the things that you need in your car so that you can focus on getting only the humans ready to go.

How do you leave the house in a functional and semi-happy way?

You've Got This.