Planning to be spontaneous when you have a baby

It's funny how, once you have kids, even being spontaneous takes forethought. Here's a great tip from Pam, good to keep in mind as the long, warm evenings of summer approach:

We keep a pair of pyjamas in the diaper bag and the Pack and Play in the trunk of the car. Now if we decide on a whim to go to the grandparent's house or a friend's house and stay for a bit (even if not for overnight), we know we'll be all set. We can put our 16 month old to bed and transfer her to the carseat after a wild board game night.

Related: Cell phone as baby monitor

Comments

[Annette]

That's a great idea - nothing else can cut a wonderful evening short like a tired, cranky baby!

[Sara]

Stroller that reclines all the way works, too!

[Michael]

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[Sarah N.]

Great idea. We also like to stay prepared to spontaneously eat out so I keep a baggie in car with a spoon, bib, jar of baby food (we've almost outgrown this now though and it's often a fruit cup instead) and a crunchy baby/toddler snack like goldfish.

[CodeCrafter]

Sounds like a good idea but sadly my child would never sleep through the transfer from one location to another :( Guess we just need to host more parties at our place.

I totally second the food stash so you can eat out. We also keep a stock of diapers and a change of clothing in the car so if we decided to go to park or anywhere else after picking up from daycare we can.

[christy]

Our baby sleeps in her car seat - a lot. So, rather than take her out of it we carry her into the grandparents house in it. She can climb back into it as needed. it works perfect!

[Chris]

We use to do this when the kiddies were little. Now since they are bigger, we just make sure we have a stash of cash on hand for something spontaneous.

[Cat]

I really like this idea, but I was also wondering about how well my kid (10 months) would accept being awakened and transferred home.

Right now, it's pretty difficult to get her to sleep and, if she's awake after that for any length of time (longer than a quick nurse, for example), it starts the whole 'get her down' clock all over again.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be all over it. We love to go to friends houses, but haven't very much because at night, we feel that we have to be where she's going to spend the night when we put her to sleep.

She has traveled over night and does travel well, so maybe I should just count my blessings.