03/07/2024
The trigger for this post was working on my hospital Labor Day bag and running for my huge backpack I used to carry all over the place. 😅😮💨🥴
Nothing like a sweet weekday outing to a doctor’s office with all your little ones . . . said no mother ever.
Whether it be due to sickness or a simple yearly checkup, a doctor’s visit seems to be in the unpredictable 30-minute to 3-hour waiting time frame.
With my first, I seemed to pack it all and I mean ALL:
An extra change of clothing,
a blanket,
a lighter outfit,
books,
a toy with music,
a rattle,
blocks,
snacks,
water for myself,
and this list can go on and on.
Of course, I ensured I had the biggest backpack to carry it all. This was exhausting to prepare, to carry, and to keep track of.
There is a Spanish saying that goes, “Mujer prevenida vale por dos.” It means, "The forewarned woman is worth two." I was prepared for anything!
Eventually, I stopped to think about what I actually use on each outing. It finally clicked that I could keep so much of it in the car.
Now that I am a mommy of three and travel with all three from time to time, I allow the oldest to take just one item. For the two year old, I make sure to take one item he is currently really into. Right now, it is the Elmo alphabet flip book. Or in the past, it has been that one car or that one pop it toy.
In my bag, I still make sure to carry wipes, one snack for everyone (including myself), and water. That's it!
It is beautiful to see them find new ways to entertain themselves and make use of that time to sit and talk with each other.
We dream about the trips we want to take.
They love talking about future birthday party themes.
For myself, I have made it a habit to put away my phone and save the battery life for that one good movie they might all enjoy if we are getting close to the 3-hour waiting period.
Similar to what our firefighters told us last summer, slow is fast.
Less is more mommies!
--Analidia, for more from Analida follow her Ana Rivas
