https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 15 Jun 2026 22:37:30 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler/page/2#post-2691653 Sat, 04 Feb 2017 04:35:33 +0000 Iced Tea 2691653@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things go easiest for me when I bring my LO, almost two, into the shower with me. If we do screen time it tends to lead to a tantrum when we need to turn it off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler/page/2#post-2691650 Sat, 04 Feb 2017 03:16:44 +0000 Cherrybee 2691650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We fixed an enormous TV to our bedroom wall for this very reason! We fixed a baby gate to the top of the stairs and baby proofed the entire upstairs. E then had free reign when I was in the shower, could easily reach all her toys and wander in and our of our room to watch TV. My shower lasts approx 5 mins and, in that time, she would trash the house. Honestly, it would look like we had been burgled by the time I stepped out of the shower! Then it was a full on fight to get her ready! </p> <p>What I will say is, it's has gotten so much easier as E has grown up. She's 3.5 now and she happily watches her tablet with earphones on (bliss) while I get ready and she's easily bribed into compliance when getting ready. Adding a baby to the mix hasn't been too difficult, we put a jumperoo in our room to keep the baby contained in the mornings. The baby is getting more mobile now and I feel that the phase of nightmare mornings is almost upon us, but I now know it's just a stage. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691538 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:29:58 +0000 Iced Tea 2691538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oliviapope: To keep a smoothie contained, try this:<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Portable-Refillable-Container-Smoothies/dp/B01A0XA5I8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1486160941&#038;sr=8-8-spons&#038;keywords=squeezy%2Bsnacker&#038;th=1" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Portable-Refillable-Container-Smoothies/dp/B01A0XA5I8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1486160941&#038;sr=8-8-spons&#038;keywords=squeezy%2Bsnacker&#038;th=1</a></p> <p>We usually put drinkable yogurt in ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691390 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:22:46 +0000 Alba4 2691390@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a teacher and have to be at school no later than 7:30, which means a strict 7AM drop off.<br /> I do these things:<br /> 1. Shower at night<br /> 2. Get dressed and do hair/make up before kids are up<br /> 3. Pack everything the night before.<br /> 4. Grab to-go snacks (but boys eat at daycare)</p> <p>If I leave anything to the morning, stuff goes awry. You can do it!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691387 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:22:10 +0000 snowjewelz 2691387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally saving this for when I go back to work with now 2 kids! </p> <p>@JenGirl: I pretty much fill in my brows, put on BB cream and that's it for work! But I feel better when I have time to be a little more done up and feel better about myself! I see all the younger girls or married but no kid ones that dress so well and always look cute and I feel like the frumpy mom! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691379 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:06:07 +0000 gingerbebe 2691379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Things that help me during the work day with fine oily hair:</p> <p>-Shower at night. Go to sleep with completely dry clean hair that's been dried upside down with no product.<br /> - In the morning: Spray a little Garnier Root Amp into my palm, rub it between my hands, and then aggressively rub/tease it into my roots with my fingers with my head upside down. Gently smooth and and arrange hair and go.<br /> -Touch it as little as possible in the morning and by mid morning have it up - a neat pony or twisted up in a clip or half up.<br /> - Use the dry shampoo after lunch or when it's starting to weigh down. With Living Proof it really does make a difference to spray the dry shampoo in and wait that full 30 seconds to let it do its magic. Then I flip my head upside down, rub and tease the roots again with my fingers, smooth, and go. </p> <p>This usually gets me through the rest of the day. If my bangs start to get greasy, I keep a barrette in my purse or desk to clip it down and away from my face. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691348 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 12:25:41 +0000 MrsADS 2691348@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After reading this, I'm going to Sephora tomorrow to try some dry shampoos. Did someone say they have some kind of sample pack so you can try them out?</p> <p>I've tried the drugstore brands but none of them work great for me. I have fine, oily hair and I find after an hour or 2 of using the dry shampoo, my hair feels even nastier and dirtier - like greasy PLUS tons of gunk in it and all I want to do is wash it. But I would love to start showering at night to save time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691322 Fri, 03 Feb 2017 11:45:22 +0000 looch 2691322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oliviapope: What's crazy to me is that my 6 year old was having a hard time getting ready in the mornings before school. I thought he knew the steps, which I think he does, but for him to have to remember was causing a problem. So we went back to basics and did a very simple 4 line "chore chart" of things I expected him to do in the morning and it's been amazing for him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2691040 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:25:57 +0000 Oliviapope 2691040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wanted to follow up on this and thank everyone for the tips. Mornings seem much easier! Who knows, maybe she's passed some developmental stage where she was more challenging.</p> <p>But what's worked has been:</p> <p>getting bags ready night before and bringing them out in early AM before the last minute trying to run out the door<br /> showering/getting ready early, getting dressed, wearing a bathrobe or hoodie over my outfit to prevent sticky fingerprints<br /> sticking with a pretty similar routine each day<br /> giving her a few things to do on her own<br /> keeping things moving in the morning and keeping her in the loop on what step is next (she really seems to do better when she knows)</p> <p>I did try the Living Proof dry shampoo! Loved it but by 11:30 AM my hair at the scalp was pretty greasy. Maybe I didn't use enough.</p> <p>Wanted to report back and also to remind myself of the tips I hadn't used yet. Mornings feel so different now - now to see what can make them even easier. Thanks for all the advice! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681669 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:07:34 +0000 Dahlia 2681669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Blue: I was going to suggest the same thing but wondered if it sounded too gross :-P Glad someone else thinks it's okay! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681667 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:03:39 +0000 JenGirl 2681667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I shower the night before and wrap my hair in a bandana while I sleep so it doesn't get too frizzy (I also purposefully pick a low maintenance hair cut). This makes life so much better.</p> <p>Also, don't know if this is an option for you, but I just forgo makeup most of the time. Personally, I don't think women should be expected to wear makeup and I see more and more professional women who choose not to wear makeup on a daily basis. And it's super easy to just not put on makeup!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681666 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 17:02:28 +0000 PinkElephant 2681666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have three to get out the door each morning (4.5 yrs, 2.5 yrs, and 3 months). Rest assured, the 2.5 year old is the hardest by far, even if she's the only one I'm taking somewhere - she just finds so many ways to dilly dally, and there's a lot that she can't do for herself yet (like put on shoes). so it's not that you're doing something wrong. :)</p> <p>Keep working on any skill that your LO can do to help get herself ready - even if it is just "Sit on the stairs and wait while I do x", or putting on socks.</p> <p>These are the things that help me most:</p> <p>- pack the car the night before (school bags, coats, coupons for errands, packages to return, etc.) Snacks/waters in the diaper bag; carseat set up and baby's bunting laid out<br /> - shower at night, so I have minimal "getting ready" to do for myself. I don't have the expectation of doing anything complicated to my hair, and wear pretty minimal makeup.<br /> - get dressed and pump before all three wake up<br /> - if possible change/feed the baby before the big girls get up, and get downstairs to start their breakfast before they get up<br /> - TV only happens if everything else is done and there is enough time so that I won't have to cut off a show (ie, at least 10 minutes for a half episode of Daniel Tiger).</p> <p>I also find it is SIGNIFICANTLY easier to avoid moving around the house as much as possible - so I try to have the girls use the bathroom, get dressed, and have their hair done upstairs, then once we are down, they don't go back up. After they eat, I either put on a show in the playroom or they play with toys that are already out while I make my to-go coffee, eat if possible, and feed the baby if necessary.</p> <p>If you prefer to shower in the AM...how about iPad in the bathroom instead of leaving her alone to watch TV? That way she won't wander. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681661 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:53:01 +0000 skipra 2681661@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are a hot mess in the morning but the only thing that works even slightly is preparing them for the next step. Like telling them that I am taking a shower and getting dressed bit when I'm done they will have to brush their teeth, etc. And then being consistent the the steps and order every day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681637 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:35:03 +0000 psw27 2681637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I second the Living Proof dry shampoo... It is amazing. You spray, wait 30 seconds and then shake your head/run your hands through it. I only wash my (very long) hair every 2-3 days now that I use Living Proof products. They are amazing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681614 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:20:05 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2681614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This sounds sketch, but it's something we did in the past and just started doing sometimes again thanks to a reminder from a fellow bee....</p> <p>If the boys are wearing soft clothes, we'll just put them in their clothes for the next day (or at least their shirt). It removes one battle and at least a few minutes the next day. And this may be too old for her to get right now, but we also made a new rule that they can't play or watch TV until they are totally ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681611 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:17:52 +0000 gingerbebe 2681611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>RE: showering at night. I've found the best thing is to shower before bed and blow dry your hair upside down without any product and then go to sleep. In the morning, style and if you need it, I've really liked Living Proof dry shampoo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681609 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:14:22 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2681609@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@gingerbebe: I agree with goal being not getting too comfortable (no playing) and pretty much work to get in the car as soon as possible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681607 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:13:29 +0000 MamaG 2681607@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have two, and while my DH is home I do most of the routine for my kids. He does help some.</p> <p>Here's what our morning looks like:</p> <p>5:45 - my alarm goes off. If it's a good day LO2 (my 2 year old) is still asleep.<br /> 6:10 - I finally get out of bed and into the shower. If LO2 were already awake, she'd be sitting in bed with DH. If I were home alone, I'd probably lock her in our bedroom while I shower. She'd be likely to play on the bathroom floor while I shower quickly.<br /> 6:30 - Wake up for kids. I get LO2 (if she's still sleeping), and we go together to get LO1. The three of us head downstairs and they eat breakfast (yogurt, cheese, vitamins and water). I get together LO1's backpack for Kinder and anything else the three of us need to leave the house. I'll have a banana for breakfast.<br /> 7:00 - everyone back upstairs. LO2 brushes her teeth and gets her hair fixed while LO1 uses the restroom. I hand LO2 off to DH to change her diaper and get her dressed. LO1 comes out of the restroom and brushes her teeth while I fix her hair. She gets dressed.<br /> 7:10'ish - Momma's free! I dry my hair, flat iron, quickly do makeup and brush my teeth.<br /> 7:15 - Kids and DH head downstairs to get shoes.<br /> 7:20'ish - Momma gets dressed and rounds everyone up.<br /> 7:30 - we are all getting in the car. Kids with Momma. DH kisses all three of us goodbye and gets in his own car.</p> <p>I wish we could avoid the downstairs and back upstairs in our routine, but this is working for us. We've been doing this for about 3 months now. Previously LO2 would sleep until 7:00 and I was pretty hands off with her, other than handing DH her clothes. SHe was also eating breakfast at daycare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681606 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:13:00 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2681606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: Oh man! I would love to get to a hair routine like that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681605 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:12:43 +0000 gingerbebe 2681605@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my son is 28 months and we've trained him to wait in his room until we go get him. In the mornings, I don't get him until I'm dressed. I will say however that I shower at night and I strive to get up even 10 minutes before my kids, so mornings are just a matter of putting my clothes on. So even if my son is awake, he's not waiting that long for me.</p> <p>DS knows we will come when its time, so he doesn't freak out. He DOES make a damn racket to let us know he's awake. If you're not willing to let her cry and train her to sit in the crib until you get her, perhaps you can give her a show on a tablet in her crib to watch while you bathe? </p> <p>Mornings I basically don't let him get comfortable at home. My goal is to get him from his bedroom and into the car as fast as possible. At night, I lay out his outfit next to his changing area. In the morning, when I'm changing his morning diaper, I put him right into his school clothes. I don't let him leave his bedroom until he's in his school clothes because its a hassle later on. I also TRY not to let him get into the living room because he gets distracted by toys and whining for a show or something and transitioning him to GET into the car then becomes a thing I don't want to deal with. So I usually just get him dressed and carry him right into the car. Our ritual is he pushes the garage door button, I cheer and say thank you, and put him in the car. I keep shoes and socks in the car and put them on once we get to school because he has a tendency to rip them off en route. </p> <p>I put all the daycare bags, shoes, socks, and coat in the car before I go to bed (minus lunch, but its packed in the fridge). Once he's buckled in the car seat, I go back inside and grab his lunch, my coffee, a water cup for DS, and a snack trap of dry cereal or a Belvita biscuit for him to munch on the way to school. He can eat more at school if he wants to. </p> <p>Usually we get him at 7am and we are out the door by 720am. He needs to arrive at school by 745am if he wants the school provided breakfast, and its part of his tuition, so we aim to get him there so that he has the option of eating it if he wants to.</p> <p>If for some reason we have a transition issue where he's resisting going into the car, we "bribe" him with something he loves - his gummy vitamins. I usually give it to him after dinner, but I will tell him he can have them in the car if we go right now and he automatically says OK! I cut them up into halves or thirds (he gets a multi, 2 immunity, 2 DHA, and 2 probiotic ones) so its not a choke hazard and it looks like there's a lot and he gets super pumped about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681604 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:12:14 +0000 Cole 2681604@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oliviapope: I'm the worst person ever at getting out the door so I'm no helpful there but I have found that when I shoot at night I have to dry my hair all the way with no product at all if I don't want to it be greasy the next morning. Maybe give that a try. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681603 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:11:52 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2681603@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For us, its ALL about a strict routine. We are both home in the mornings which helps a ton but we also have 3 kids so its a lot of divide and conquer too. </p> <p>They wake up and they cuddle in bed with us if we have time. Or play on the phone in our bed while we finish showering. Again, this isn't really alone since both of us are home. I think you'd probably solve a lot of problems by either showering at night or before wake up. </p> <p>We turn on the TV and they sit down and eat their yogurt. Occasionally we will let them eat something else. He's 2 and sits in his Stokke chair by himself. </p> <p>We finish getting ready and start to pack bags. Usually just adding diapers to his bag or extra clothes as needed. I pack a lunch bag and pump bag and purse for me. </p> <p>Then I take him to his room to get dressed, thankfully he's not picky anymore. I let him brush his teeth in the morning and he likes to try to put on his shoes. He does that while I put bags in the car (in the garage). So I'm in and out supervising but not really helping. </p> <p>Lately Ive been grabbing the baby at this point to change her and DH walks us out to the car to put her in her car seat. </p> <p>Lastly I put his shoes on (because he can't really do it himself he just likes to try) and then I grab him and my phone/drink and we load up in the car.</p> <p>Most days he's up by 6:30 (can be as early as 6:15 though) and we are out the door by 7:15. We can do it with him waking up as late as like 6:50 and I use the extra time to pack him a breakfast for in the car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681595 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:06:30 +0000 psw27 2681595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get ready mostly before LO is awake. If i have anything else to get done, I do it while LO watches TV and eats his breakfast. </p> <p>In terms of easing the transitions and making it not too crazy, we set a pretty strict order for things. When I go to get him out of his room, I get him dressed for the day - we used to delay this and sometimes let him hang out in PJs but it made it harder - then we go downstairs for the day once he is fully ready. </p> <p>If he is having a hard time transitioning I let him set a timer. The timer has done wonders - so I'll say something like "I know you want to play but it is time to go to school. Do you want to go now or in 1 minute?" If he says 1 minute, I set a timer and he gets to play for that one minute. It is faster than the tantrum if I try to force him. </p> <p>We also implemented choices - this shirt or that shirt, waffles or cereal, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681593 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:04:29 +0000 ShootingStar 2681593@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, when DS was this age it was so hard to get out the door. For a while I was putting DS on my bed and turning on Daniel Tiger while I got ready. Then we'd do breakfast together with him in his tower. I'd get him dressed in his tower too. </p> <p>Just know that this is a phase. At 3 DS understands so much more and can mostly dress himself. I've been sick the past couple days and DH has managed to get both DS and 5m DD out by himself in the morning. A year ago I could barely get just DS out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681592 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:00:10 +0000 shabang 2681592@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, it's far from perfect, but here's what we do. We always have outfits out for everyone from the night before. When my daughter (3, but same routine since she was 2) wakes up, she is dressed, hair and teeth brushed before going downstairs. We try not to go back upstairs after going downstairs, it saves a lot of time. Then, she eats breakfast while I grab things, then it's "potty-shoes-coat-go" to get her out the door. I start saying that about 20 minutes before we need to leave and constantly remind her until we walk out. Everything is in a staging area to go out the door, and as much as possible is gathered and put there the night before.</p> <p>That's the consistent part. The inconsistency is when she wakes up, but we adjust as needed day-to-day. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681589 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:54:30 +0000 autumnleaves 2681589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We put LO's shoes on either when we change his diaper and get him dressed or when he is finishing his breakfast. If we wait till after he eats breakfast and is set free from his chair - we are running around in circles trying to get his shoes on.<br /> Like PP, I try to be fully ready before I get my LO up if I am solo and sometimes that means showering the night before.<br /> We do have tears some mornings because he wants to play play play and we need to get going but once he's at daycare he's happy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681587 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:51:45 +0000 alphagam84 2681587@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oliviapope: Just spray the dry shampoo in your hair wherever it looks oily and rub it in with your hands. Super easy! I use it all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681583 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:47:05 +0000 Mrs D 2681583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Oliviapope: I can wash my hair at night and still style in the morning without the need for dry shampoo...actually I have trained my hair (thanks to these lovely ladies here and their advice) to go two days before it feels oily. Here is my weekly shampooing routine!</p> <p>Monday AM - shower/do hair (blwo dry/straighten)<br /> Tuesday - hair is up in a pony<br /> Tues PM - apply detox dry shampoo before bed<br /> Weds AM - style hair again<br /> Weds PM - shower, blow dry<br /> Thurs AM - Style<br /> Thurs PM - Dry Shampoo again if I feel I need it<br /> Friday AM - style</p> <p>I also have the bun forms for dirty days! And U use Nuema shampoo - which I really think does a great job of getting my hair clean! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681581 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:43:10 +0000 Oliviapope 2681581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs D: I have this at home! I got a Sephora sampler kit of all different dry shampoos, and have been scared to try them since I don't really know how :shocked: How do you use it? In the morning when you've showered the night before? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-tips-to-more-easily-get-out-of-the-house-in-the-morning-with-a-toddler#post-2681580 Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:42:16 +0000 Oliviapope 2681580@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PawPrints: I was just reading another thread where Mrs. Pickle suggested the same thing and it's got the wheels turning. We don't have a space like this currently. Hard to figure out where we could make one, but if I really thought about it I bet I could come up with a way to make it happen. I like the concept in general, and it would come in handy at other times as well. </p>