Running Errands with Toddlers, A Savvy Solution

Running errands with a toddler can range from “no big deal” to excruciatingly annoying and painful. Sometimes, you never know what you’re gonna get.

Something as simple as running into a drycleaner to drop off two pairs of pants can become a quite complicated event, as only a mother knows.

You must:

-Get the kid in and out of the car seat.

-Answer questions about what you are doing. Repeatedly.

-Give a pre-lecture in a hiss-yell, “Parker! You STAY WITH MOMMY!”

-Make sure all items are secured in The Toddler’s hands before leaving the car area. (My child is like a Reese monkey and needs to be clutching metal cars in both hands while going ANYWHERE.)

-Go into the drycleaners to conduct what should be a simple one-task affair, but instead you are trying to talk to the salesclerk while keeping one eye glued on The Toddler and anticipate any issue that could occur.

(And believe me, any issue can occur when The Toddler is involved.)

-Then, you must convince this Toddler to leave, help them back into the car seat, make sure all cars and “things” are accounted for, etc. etc. Sounds energizing, right?

So, here is what I did yesterday while on the way home from work. I was dreading dealing with my “simple” errand with The Toddler in tow, and then, wouldn’t you know it? He fell asleep in his car seat and was slumbering peacefully as we got closer to our destination.

I drove up to the store front of the drycleaners and parked the car. I called information and got instantly connected to said drycleaners. I watched as the saleslady inside picked up the phone.

“Hello, this is Maggie,” said Maggie.

“Hi, Maggie! I am parked right out front of your store…” I said as she looked out the window.

I waved a friendly wave. She waved back and smiled. (I was glad to see the smile because I didn’t know yet if she would think I was crazy, rude, or pulling a prank.)

I continued, “I was wondering if you could pull my information up on the computer while we’re on the phone, and then when you are ready for my clothes, I can just pop in real quick and set the pants on the counter and run out. I have a toddler in a car seat with me, and I just figured it would be so much easier this way.” (I braced myself.)

“Oh, of course!” Maggie replied, “You wait right there and I’ll come out.”

Wow! Even better!

Maggie was a wonderful woman. She came out and collected my pants and gave me my drycleaning ticket. I thanked her profusely. She was so nice, and it seemed that she understood. Then, we were off. Driving home. Easy schmeasy!

Thank you, Maggies of the world. Thank you for understanding and helping. You made my long day just a little bit easier. I promise I won’t do this all the time, but for that one time, it sure was nice.