https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:54:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2674280 Thu, 05 Jan 2017 10:46:54 +0000 Mrs. Blue 2674280@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When the boys were all really little, I loaded them on to a stroller like this as I unloaded, so they were all contained.<br /> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-Stand-Stroller-Vanguard/dp/B002U41OKE" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Trend-Stand-Stroller-Vanguard/dp/B002U41OKE</a> (I could put all three kids on this since two kids can sit &amp; stand in the back)</p> <p>As they got bigger, I would get the kid that was on my side out and take him around to the other side, put him on the floorboard of the car while I unbuckled everyone else. Now, that the twins are bigger (almost 4) I usually will let them stand beside my car or on the sidewalk in front of my car, but they're still not perfect at staying right where I put them, so I have to watch them really carefully. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673704 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:52:22 +0000 mediagirl 2673704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a mom of just one so please take this with a grain of salt but I love the idea of having your kids touching you at all times. That makes you secure knowing they are with you. My daughter will hold onto my pocket or dress when we walk from a store if I have my arms full. I would think the same could be said for 3 kids - one in arms, 2 walking. </p> <p>Maybe also give the 4.5 year old a "very important job" of making sure her sister is always holding her hand. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673676 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 10:10:20 +0000 PinkElephant 2673676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: Thanks! We've been here about 3 weeks and so far, so good. I haven't really made "real" friends yet, but everyone at school drop off, Christmas Mass, the grocery store, and in the neighborhood has been super nice. I'm getting used to driving, and find it a lot easier/more convenient/less stressful than I thought - I can get a lot done in a lot less time than in BK. And we LOVE the space. My girls think the house is a castle (and it's kind of embarrassing when they tell people they live in one, but also sort of funny).</p> <p>My girls are slightly confused and possibly petrified of the wildlife in our yard - besides squirrels and a ton of interesting birds, we've got six or so deer and this morning I saw the (BIG orange) fox DD2 had been insisting she saw (I thought she was confused by a large squirrel).</p> <p>As for towns....honestly they're all so close together that it doesn't matter as long as you're zoned for schools you like. I live in one town, but go to the pediatrician &amp; preschool 3-7 mins away in another town, shop 10 minutes away in others, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673623 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 08:59:38 +0000 Anagram 2673623@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: just wanted to say congratulations on your move! I didn't know you'd moved to the NJ side. Sometimes DH and I talk about moving out further and getting more space, but we are scared, haha. And also can't really pinpoint a town--there are so many options and we know so little about all of them.</p> <p>How are you liking the change? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673618 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 08:50:33 +0000 littlebug 2673618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get D (4yo) out first and have him put his hand on the car. He gets to choose which color light he wants to touch - red or white. He's kind of turned it into a game so that makes it easier to get him to listen. Getting back in, he likes to "crawl through the tunnel" under the baby's RF car seat to get to his FF seat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673601 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 08:19:05 +0000 Maysprout 2673601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: mine are a little older - 5 &amp; 3 (and then baby is 2 months) and the girls are both FF (baby RF) and half the time my oldest unbuckles herself then her sister. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673589 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 06:53:36 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2673589@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: all of mine are rearfacing.<br /> When the baby was in the bucket, I unbuckled my oldest, she waited in the car; then unbuckled my middle (she was 18 months when we switched the baby to a convertible) and either put her in a carrier or shopping cart; then unclicked the bucket and let my big girl out. My oldest would occasionally ride in the cart but most of the time likes walking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673578 Wed, 04 Jan 2017 00:39:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2673578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: we ended up turning our middle child FF for this reason. He was two and ok RF but logistically it was much better to have him FF. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673555 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:50:10 +0000 PinkElephant 2673555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Maysprout: are your other two both FF? I feel l like turning DD2 could help... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673551 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 21:44:25 +0000 Maysprout 2673551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I get the older two unbuckled or sometimes my oldest does that then they wait in the car till I get baby out, usually in a carrier, and then they both come out that same side. </p> <p>Same thing with going in. They pile in first. Then I get baby in, then I secure them in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673538 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 20:58:34 +0000 skipra 2673538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: I'm sure it's a no Brainer but always park next to a shopping cart return if possible, even if it's far away from the store. Usually there is a cart there and makes life soooo much easier when it's time to leave. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673365 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 14:32:09 +0000 PinkElephant 2673365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you, all! You've given me some great ideas, and affirmed that I probably need to play around with my car seat configuration for the best solution.</p> <p> @T.H.O.U.: Great idea RE: physically touching you in some way - I agree that I can't really see them when they touch the car in a safe place.</p> <p>@skipra: I think I need to move my 4.5 year old back into the middle. I tried her there, but DH felt like her feet were a distraction against the console. But with her behind the driver and the baby in the middle, I'm doing all sorts of acrobatics to get baby in and out, which is why the whole process takes so long....and when the baby gets heavier, I physically won't be able to do it. I also probably need to figure out my plan re: strollers/shopping carts, and put it into action right by the car instead of walking to the door of the store.</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: Yup, two year old always comes out last. I may need to try babywearing instead of lugging the darn bucket seat everywhere. It made my life so much easier in Brooklyn, I'm just not sure about the seat to carrier transition since DD3 sleeps so well in the carseat (and the carrier, but I obviously can't drive wearing her).</p> <p>@TemperanceBrennan: Totally! I do this anyway in busier parking lots because I'm still adjusting to driving everywhere, and that way I don't have to deal with 3 cars fighting for my spot and giving me no space to back out.</p> <p>@ShootingStar: Haha, coming from a big busy city, if my car door is the grossest thing my kid touches all day, I'm totally considering it a win! :)</p> <p>@Lilbear: Once I move seats around, it'll be easier for me to do what you explained with the older kids. Currently the 2.5 year old is too small to get into her RF seat, and the 4.5 year old CAN"T get in til I put the baby in. Clearly I need to adjust! My kids were better in Brooklyn b/c they understood sidewalks and streets and bike lanes a bit better than they understand massive suburban parking lots. I think they see all the space and are like "Playground?!?!" :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673314 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 13:47:32 +0000 skipra 2673314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine are 4, 2, and 3 months. The 4 year old is in the middle seat so I unbuckle him, get the baby out, then get the 2 year old out and the 4 year old climbs out from his side of the car. I can trust the 4 year old to stay close and not take off but not my 2 year old so he is always the last out of the car and either holds my hand or goes immediately into the stroller or shopping cart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673246 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:47:59 +0000 Lilbear 2673246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in Queens and have 2 kids (3.5 years and 9 months old). How I handle this is that everyone gets out on one side of the car - the same side as the sidewalk. If we are getting into the car on the passenger side (where my rf baby sits), I have my 3.5 year old "crawl through the tunnel" aka along the floor under the rf car seat to her spot (behind the driver). Once the baby is buckled in, I will walk to her side to buckle her into her seat, where she is already waiting. If we are getting out of the car, I unbuckle my 3.5 year old first but leave her in her seat, then I walk around to the baby's side of the car and take him out. My 3.5 climbs through the "tunnel" again once I have the baby fully out of his seat, so I can have a hand on her to keep her safe. </p> <p>If we park on the left side of a one way street where the sidewalk is on my 3.5 year olds side, I unbuckle her and leave her there, then get the baby out, carry the baby around to my DD's side of the car and then open the door for her to step out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673240 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:42:24 +0000 kiddosc 2673240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only have two to unload, but I do hands on the car with my 4.5 year old while I get the baby out. There are even magnets you can buy to stick on the car if you'd like to reinforce the idea. <a href="http://www.parkingpalmagnet.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.parkingpalmagnet.com/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673230 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 11:25:21 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2673230@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man this always gives me such anxiety! No matter what I do I feel like there's always a moment when a kid is in the parking lot without my eyes on them (and I only have two!)</p> <p>I actually started unbuckling my oldest and then closing her door back up and then going around to the baby and unbuckling him, and having my daughter get out his side (so they're both getting out the same side of the car). When we're getting back into the car I have her get in his side and crawl across. This might only work because we have a van though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673208 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:37:52 +0000 Mrs. Washi Tape 2673208@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I currently only have a 4 yo and 1.5 year old, but one thing that helps is using shopping carts wherever they are available. When we go to target or the grocery store, I always park next to a cart return and load both boys directly into a cart. (The 4 yo sometimes walks and holds onto the handle but usually just sits in the big portion.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673201 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:15:57 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2673201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How I do it...<br /> Unbuckle my four year old, unbuckle my one year old - put her in carrier, then hold my 4yo hand and walk to the other side to unbuckle my two year old. While I'm unbuckling my 2yo my 4yo holds onto my shirt or sits in the space under the car seat.<br /> When it's time to get back in the car they all load from the baby's side. I buckle baby, then 4yo, then 2yo. Fortunately my 2yo is pretty cooperative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673194 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:06:06 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 2673194@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is not ideal, but parking in the back of the parking lot away from other cars is probably safest because there is less traffic pulling in and out of spots. The older kids can stand next to the car instead of the driving lane and are much easier seen by other cars because they aren't hidden between them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673191 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 10:03:39 +0000 Madison43 2673191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ValentineMommy: this is what I do with my 3 yo and 1 yo. Same with getting them in the car - 3 yo old hops in, I close her door and then strap the baby in. When the baby is secure, I come back around and strap my big kid in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673181 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 09:53:28 +0000 ShootingStar 2673181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh man, we get so icked out by DS touching the car all the time, I would never encourage it, LOL. </p> <p>I only have 2 kids (3y and 4m) and this is what I do. I grab my purse and go around to the trunk to get out the stroller and I unfold it and place it near the back corner on the baby's side. I throw my purse in stroller and the diaper bag and whatever else I need. Then I get DS out and walk him over to where I want him to stand (right next to the stroller) and tell him not to move. Then I grab the bucket seat and plop it in the stroller. He's pretty good when I tell him not to move, especially because it's only a few seconds to get the baby out.</p> <p>I like to get the baby last for a couple reasons. For one it's been really cold and DS is much less bothered by being outside than she is. Two, it takes a lot longer to get DS out than to get the baby out (for now while we use the bucket). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673147 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 09:08:01 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2673147@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've also had them hold my back pocket or hold the diaper bag strap. I feel much more comfortable with this where I can feel if they let go versus hand on the car. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673145 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 09:06:30 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2673145@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In our van I can unbuckle my oldest two but have them stay in the van standing while I unbuckle the baby. Once I have the baby and my purse, I go back to their door and have them step out and stand next to me while I close and lock the door. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673141 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 09:01:26 +0000 bookwormmama 2673141@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think your husband's idea is good depending on how crazy the parking lots are (I have my 2.5 year old do this a lot in parking lots when I'm getting things out of the car, but never did during the holidays with the increased traffic). If you are concerned about them not following directions well, maybe have them unbuckle but stay in their seats until you get the baby out? Or tell them to climb down from or up into their seats/stand in the aisle while you get their sister in/out. You can leave the door on one side closed/child locks on while you work on getting the baby in to make sure they stay in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673139 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 08:59:07 +0000 HappyBaker 2673139@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my second was born I put a cute decal/sticker on the side of the car where the baby's carseat was, and had my daughter put her hand on that. She was able to do that better than just putting a "hand on the car" which is what I was trying before! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673138 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 08:58:32 +0000 ValentineMommy 2673138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We try to unbuckle the eldest (ds1) first, but then leave him sitting in the car unstrapped. Then we unload the toddler and put him in the stroller. Then DS1 hops out. I suppose we will do something similar when DD comes along in a few months, but I've already been wondering about this! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673134 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 08:50:14 +0000 mrsrain 2673134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use the hands on the car rule with my toddler, while I'm unloading the baby. Maybe you could reward that behavior every time they do it well, give them an m&amp;m or let them choose the music or something? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673133 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 08:49:47 +0000 Foodnerd81 2673133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm still working on this with a 1 year old and a 3.5 year old. Getting in is ok because I can have the big one climb in, close her door while she gets into her seat, buckle the baby in, then buckle the big one in. I've had a couple of times I had to really yell at the big one for wandering or running in the parking lot- always not busy lots at the time but very scary anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/safely-unloading-three-kids-from-a-car#post-2673130 Tue, 03 Jan 2017 08:45:58 +0000 PinkElephant 2673130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just moved from Brooklyn (walk/stroller everywhere) to suburban NJ, where we are driving everywhere. Loading three kids (4.5, 2.5, and 11 weeks) into my SUV takes me awhile since I'm new to it, but it's not that big of a deal because we're safe in our (heated - hooray!) garage. But unloading, particularly in busy parking lots - yeeeesh! Not good.</p> <p>Any tips? Right now the main place I do this is school, so I've just sent the big girls to stand on the lawn directly in front of my car while I get the baby out. But in places like the Target parking lot, this isn't really possible. What else could I do? Stick them in the trunk/passenger seat while I unload the baby? Or do they just need to learn to follow the "both hands on the car" rule (my husband tells them this) better?</p> <p>Advice appreciated! :) </p>