Yes, even Marcia Cross takes her twinnies grocery shopping!

The task of going out with your twinnies can be overwhelming. So just how do you go out and about with your hands full? We asked some seasoned parents of twins that question and they let us in on some of their tricks.

Before you leave-

  • Have a plan. Make a list of what you need as well as where you need to go. You may want to include a pit stop where your little ones can get out and play.
  • Pack the double stroller
  • Make sure everyone if fed and dry before you leave.
  • Make sure to pack a snack and a drink, this is always a good distraction.
  • Allow yourself extra time, it always takes longer than you think it’s going to.

Getting there-

  • Park your car near sidewalk and teach age appropriate children to always stay on the side walk when you are loading and unloading other children.
  • Park near cart returns with carts in them. This allows more room on the side of your car for loading/unloading kids. This also allows you to get a cart and return it without ever leaving the car’s side.
  • Leave your trunk or hatchback open as a visual to other drivers that you are present.

Getting your stuff done-

  • Wear a baby in a sling and cart or stroller the other baby/kids. Then you have an extra seat in the double stroller or more room in the basket of the cart to put things in.
  • Use two carts and seat children in the seat and push one cart and pull the other.
  • Use a booster seat in the basket of the cart for babies.
  • If babies are still in infant carrier seats, place one over the seat of the cart and one over the basket. You will still have room to slide things into the basket. Please use caution using this method to secure the car seats where they will not fall off.
  • Use two shopping carts. Push one and pull the other.
  • Take your own re-usable grocery bags wherever you go!! You can secure them onto your stroller or on the outside of your shopping cart with a girth hitch. When you go to check out empty the items to be scanned and take the bags off to be refilled after they are scanned. Then have someone help you to the car by carrying the bags or pushing an additional shopping cart to your car. (Or use the push and pull method listed above.)
  • Another way to use re-usable shopping bags is to buy a mommy hook to secure your bags to your cart or stroller handle. (Caution: don’t overload or your stroller will tip over)
  • Mirrors are great distractions for babies and you can find them in a lot of places. In dressing rooms, in the isles of clothing stores and usually over the veggies and packages meats in grocery stores! This can make a cranky baby start giggling in a matter of seconds.
  • Ask for help! Do you need a cart or item taken out for you, then just ask.

Have confidence in yourself. Be flexible, if someone is having a bad day, it may be best to go home and save your sanity. The more you go out with your little ones the more all of you will get used to the task and you will develop a routine.

-By Jill Marcum, Twiniversity Member