Do any of you take your four kids to things like carnivals alone? I am too scared to take them to fairs and places with huge crowds. Maybe I am just a sissy.

My kids ages are 7, 5, 3 and a year. My 15 y/o is usually doing other stuff.

I took my three younger ones to the state fair by myself when they were 5,4 and 3. That was my first major thing like that alone with them.
Now, I take them everywhere, of course, but they are 5,6 and 8.
Definitely with a toddler and an infant I was very cautious unless I had help. Since mine are so close in age, I think that played a major role for me.

I have only just taken all 4 out by myself for the 1st time... I have no choice now that dh is gone till October. It's a bit difficult because of Malachi having autism and on the low functioning end of the spectrum... it's like I have two toddlers at times. So no... *I* wouldn't be brave enough to take them all to the fair alone. Not with both Malachi and Jonas. I'm doing good just to get through the grocery store haha. But I'm getting braver. Just not *that* brave ;)

Jeepers, I go through this myself. This year it is my intention to come out of it some.
I feel I will have happier kids if I can be less fearful of disaster in large social situations.
I am introverted and tend to avoid things like this. For me, I need to come out of it some and work on this area of concern

I took all 4 of mine to a school carnival. I don't know that I would take them to a state fair or something like that. I have a hard enough time taking them all 4 shopping. If by chance I do, I put my younger 2 in the cart. My kids tend to run off and I spend all my time chasing them.

Truly, to me it depends on what the situation is and if my gut is telling me it will be ok. I don't otherwise. I used to not even go to a mall with them just because it seemed like a hassle to take 5 children but now I am over that and just go where I need to go and do what I need to do... But I have a 15yo too and he is often with me and helps out A LOT!

I don't even take mine to the grocery store alone ;)

I just don't feel like I can devote enough attention to them to watch them adequately. I admit that if I had two in a stroller, I could PROBABLY do it. But, even then, it's so hard (especially when one needs a diaper change or someone has to go to the bathroom, etc)

I don't even take mine to the grocery store alone ;)

I just don't feel like I can devote enough attention to them to watch them adequately. I admit that if I had two in a stroller, I could PROBABLY do it. But, even then, it's so hard (especially when one needs a diaper change or someone has to go to the bathroom, etc)

This is when I get "militant" about staying together, etc... not sure I ever enjoy myself when we do things without dad or another helper!~

Well, not by myself! I have taken them to the grocery and Walmart, but I wouldn't go to the fair or anything. Mine are 9, 6, 4, and 20mo.

Heck, I took the two youngers last night and managed to lose a set of keys in the shoe store. That is the only place I went and lost a set of keys! NO WHERE to be found. Ugh.

While it's not usually incredibly fun for me, I've done it. I took mine to the state fair when they were about the same ages as yours. I had the baby strapped to me in the sling, and the toddler strapped in the stroller. I tried to keep the older kids to keep their hands on the stroller when we were moving through big crowds. My children have always been +very good about not wandering off, though. I'm not sure how yours might be. You should go with your gut. If you don't feel comfortable taking all four of them into some crowded situation, then don't. I don't think that makes you a sissy. It just makes you practical.

My kids are 7,5,3, and 1. I get anxiety when I have to take them anywhere by myself, but I manage ROFL. I have never taken them to a fair type thing by myself though.

I take mine everywhere. Otherwise we'd do nothing lol And I would go crazy! The baby was three weeks and we went to the carnival for a bit. That was a little insane but we didn't stay long. I strap the littlest one in the sling/carrier and the next up in the stroller and make the older ones hold on to the stroller or stay in sight. My 3yro is the only one that wanders or has been a wander-er but if the big kids are with I make them take turns holding her hand. She is also the only one who has ever sat in a stroller or cart for more then 5 mins so I try to make sure to have one. I will leave though and they all know it, well 3yro is just starting to understand. I have and I'm sure I will again just left a cart and walked out. Places we've had to pay to get in though I bluff by starting to walk to the car and that is usually enough to stop any out of control behavior. Other Mom's I know refuse to do anything during nap time and schedule outing around those to avoid any meltdowns.

Yup, I take mine everywhere by myself, I can't imagine not doing it. I had my fourth when my oldest was just about 7, so lugging 4 under 7 isn't a riot, but it is totally workable.

I just read all the replies, (I had only read a couple), I am so surprised at how many don't take them!! I didn't know we had that option..lol.

I just read all the replies, (I had only read a couple), I am so surprised at how many don't take them!! I didn't know we had that option..lol.

Me too, Mandy! My husband works two jobs and is rarely home before the kids go to bed during the week...so if I didn't take them places by myself, we'd never leave the house! In fact, I babysit for other families, so I'm typically taking 5 or 6 kids out during the day.

To the OP, I've never taken my kids to a carnival, but that's just because we're not into that kind of thing. But, I do take them to the grocery store (every week), Walmart, field trips (we homeschool), museums, etc. For me, it's all about teaching them about my expectations for their behavior, safety rules, etc.

Luckily the carnival was rained out, so I didn't have to feel guilty, lol.

My problem is that I have a friend that tells me "My DH wasn't around I took them to XYZ" like she is trying to make me feel bad. Her teen and my teen are friends and she guilt trips me into saying yes when I want to say no. Sorry if I don't want to be out at 11pm with four little kids just so my teen DD can do whatever.

It's not that we don't go places. My kids have problems staying at home and that bothers me. We are always running here and there. (We HS too so that's the main reason why I am always leaving the house but that is another post,lol.)

I think I need to grow a spine and say no when I want to, no explanations. It's okay for me to say no!

It sure is!

I do take all 5 out together and always have - but the younger they were - it was the "have to" stuff - like appoitments or grocery shopping NOT "fun stuff". Now I do more of the "fun stuff" with all my kids BUT my youngest(s) are 4.5 years old and that's a huge difference from when my twins were both babies or toddlers. Give it another year or two and it'll get a lot easier! I just survived 20 hours travel solo with my 5 kids and it actually went pretty well. Driving from Canada to Seattle, flying to Chicago, then to Boston and then my parents picked us up and we drove up to Maine. But I still wouldn't do a carnival at 11pm!

My kids are ages 11 to new. I take them everywhere. We go out about once a day.

I do try to avoid places that require stellar behavior.

When I had 4 I took them to Disney alone. I think they were 1, 4,6, and 8. We go all kinds of places. I travel alone with them lots.

When I had 4 I took them to Disney alone. I think they were 1, 4,6, and 8. We go all kinds of places. I travel alone with them lots.

:drop: :bow:

I think it is easier before the youngest is mobile. I took 3 to the beach, once. I had a horrible time getting toddler dry and unsandy to get back to the car, up a hill. My youngest was in a sling then. Acutally, getting the kids and gear back up the hill took two trips and I do not like to leave children or things unattended in public. I locked my children in my van to go get our stuff. I was exhausted.
I've taken 4 to the grocery store - nightmare even when all are fed and rested. I had my oldest walk who was then 8, the others were 3 and 5 fighting in the shopping cart, and baby was on my back asleep. Again more exhausting than worth it. I'd rather starve most days than go shopping.
I DO NOT feel guilty about saying no I'm not doing xyz. I know my limits and my level of stress I can handle without being a witchywithcy mama.
Besides I have nightmares right now of my now 4 yr old dd who does not listen, dancing out (walking while twirling as I scream no) into the street and being run over, literally run over and crushed to death.:eyes: She refuses to listen to me and my subconscience nows it's a recipe for disaster. It's horrible to start your day with that image and it happened again today.

Well, when their father left I had a new baby, 2, 4, 7 and 12 yo. I just took them where ever. We've traveled, sight seeing, the beach, fairs, whatever. I really had no choice. Plus, add me to the "I didn't know we had an option not to" club. LOL I just thought that was status quo with a large family. You have lots of rules and lower your expectations. Oh and keep it *simple*. and pack lots of food. :)

Marina - I have so much admiration for all you've been through and have accomplished. You're raising an awesome brood of *good* people and hold your head high through all of it.

I am just in awe of it, really. :hug: I don't know if you give yourself many pats on the back, and I just wanted to say that and call you out.

Marina - I have so much admiration for all you've been through and have accomplished. You're raising an awesome brood of *good* people and hold your head high through all of it.

I am just in awe of it, really. :hug: I don't know if you give yourself many pats on the back, and I just wanted to say that and call you out.

nak
:agreed:

I took all of mine to the mall yesterday, laid down some rules (3) and i kept asking them if they were my kids?:drop:


They behaved SO WELL! So I had a good experience and I was VERY nervous about it.
I don't think that I could take them to the fair, I'd be too nervous , about Sully ( 3 year old) wandering off. But then again, my girls are pretty good at keeping him with them.

Marina - I have so much admiration for all you've been through and have accomplished. You're raising an awesome brood of *good* people and hold your head high through all of it.

I am just in awe of it, really. :hug: I don't know if you give yourself many pats on the back, and I just wanted to say that and call you out.

Amen, sandi! :heart: marina , you fine mama you!;)

i take mine most places we go, just because of Tim's work hours. Even when he is working from home he had to focus on his job and usually has alot of phone calls from other guys working on the project, so he cant take care of the babies while his brain is in work mode. When he was already here in TX and we were in TN i didnt have any option, we all went everywhere or we went nowhere. We made about 3 ER trips, NOT fun with 4 kids, especially with the twins who hate being stuck in their stroller and wanna go go go and play play play. But we manage. Im still in the "d what i have to do" mindset. I look forward to having the nerve to do the fun stuff tho LOL

I did take all 4 to a little carnival in TN once, but the twins were just babies in their infant carseats still so it want that but, plus 2 of my sisters were there too with their kids so i had a little help if i needed it. We've done mall, grocery, dr, walmart, etc of course, and OH we did a little water play park in TN right before we left for TX. I think having my odler girls significantly older than the twins makes it easier. But if the littles are "off" it makes things tough. Nothing worse than 2 screaming toddlers, except 3. Or 4. Or 5. Or 6. You get the idea LOL

I didnt know this forum was here till today. Glad to see it.

You guys are so sweet. I don't get much recognition, so it's really appreciated when I do.

However, I have no doubt you all would do the same in my shoes. I don't know one of you here that wouldn't or couldn't do what needed to be done in the same situation. You just do what you gotta do.

When you have someone else around, and then they aren't for a little while, you really miss them and their help. I think that's harder. To have something, and then have it gone. If you are used to something being a certain way it's just your "normal".

I'm very bad at throwing out a "oh, just do it yourself" or "go alone" or whatever. I forget that when you have two people working as a team and then remove one, this is a big change. Change is hard! Especially when children are involved.

I kind of thought that - flying solo also means little appreciation and positive reinforcement, save the knowledge that your kids are turning out so great. :) (Which is definitely a great source of appreciation - just a bit of a delayed response)

What you've said is so true. And I've NEVER felt that you were throwing out an "Oh, just do it yourself" in anything but a respectful, empowering way. Not flip at all. It's what you know, and how you live, daily.

Honestly, if it weren't for you, we NEVER would have done this venting ourselves. Even DH "knows" you, your name, and is grateful every time we talk about the dryer. :)

You're so very loved and admired :hug:

I have an almost 12, almost 7 and 3 year old twins. I've bought them to grocery nearby a short walk of 5 minutes, to the library which is our favorite place. We just came back from another library visit followed by a walk near a Too Good Pond which has lots of Canada Geese and a long bridge!:)
I'm still thinking of going to the science centre with four since we have a family pass and haven't been there for four months!:( However, I am worried I can't handle the twins!:( We'll probably go everywhere together and not split up with the 2 older boys. When we went as a family, my dh will go somewhere with the 2 boys while I let the younger ones play in the preschool area!
Has any mama been to the science centre with 4 kids? any tips??:)