Fox In Flats | Getting ready to go out. Tips for mums.

Getting ready to go out. Tips for mums.

Unlike Charlie Sheen, I’m SO not ‘Winning’.

Today I’m feeling really sorry for myself, and it’s not just because I’m a little shady after a few too many glasses of Champage at a rockin’ birthday party last night (rockin’ in a suburban Sydney kind of way, not a Mr. Sheen kinda way).

No. The reason I’m not winning is that I find it impossible to get ready to go out on time and without drama.

By the time I close that front door behind me, I feel like I have just run an epic round world marathon, barefoot, with two little kids tugging at my shorts at each step.

It’s the unexpected things that crop up with kids that can derail even the most detailed of plans.

My son, the budding makeup artist loves to 'help'.

Last night it was the runny poo on the living room rug from my toilet training son, and then a miniscule scratch on a finger that required kissing every 30 seconds.

My other son insisted on ‘helping’ me with my makeup, the husband decided it was the perfect time to mow the lawn (!), and my favourite heels went MIA, only to turn up today in the crisper of the fridge.

It’s little wonder the bubbles slid down so easily last night.

Anticipating another getting ready debacle on the horizon, I turned to my friend Kelly – a mother of 4 - on Friday when we were chatting in the playground, and asked if she had any tips for getting ready for a night out.

“Sure!” she responded. “I always start planning the week before by choosing two potential outfits, inclusive of accessories. That way, if I don’t love one on the day, I have a back up ready to go. It’s also handy if the kids smear their grubby fingers on my dress as I’m about to leave”.

Great. I was behind the 8 ball already and it wasn’t even the day of the party!

“Also” she added. “Feed them something they love for dinner so there are no food dramas, and let them watch TV while you get organised”.

That, I can do.

So, yesterday, in a bid to have a stress free lead up to the party, I started preparing as soon as I woke up – getting meals arranged for the kids and the sitter, deciding what to wear, and I even commenced an at home pedicure.

Yet, as we left the house for the party, already 15 minutes late, I felt frazzled, and my feet were jammed into a pair of heels that vaguely went with my LBD, but more importantly, hid my yet to be polished toes.

I’m at the point where the ‘getting ready to go out’ part, is ruining the ‘going out’ part, and I’m getting gun shy…HELP!

What tips can you share with me, and other mums who struggle to get ready for a night out without kids?

Sharing is Foxy!

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Bianca

How about getting the sitter to come earlier so they can care for your children while you get ready?
http://keepworkingthroughit.blogspot.com/ Jackie K

Agree with having the sitter on hand, preferably a favourite person they adore. A brand-new DVD also works quite well!
I also mentally rehearse my outfit and make-up and have everything ready (but hidden/up high) the day before.
Also – have older children instead… Nothing works perfectly getting the little ones out of your way!
Mona P

What?? Getting ready to go out.. where?? With your hair in curlers I assume it’s not to Woolies.

Sorry – can’t add any tips because well… I haven’t been “out” since April 2007 – but insanely jealous of all you guys who are!
Narelle

I used to put a towel in the sink in my ensuite and sit Chelsea in there when she was small enough so she was at my height and I could chat to her while I was blow drying my hair and doing my makeup – she loved it!
Pene

Gaffa tape and Cable ties I think!!!
Alinta

‎’Getting ready’ these days consists of moisturiser from the supermarket(easy to purchase as Im food shopping, gone is the Clarins one!) that has sunscreen in it, cause Im now always at parks, and my morning shower has been replaced by a nighttime one with the kids! Oh how times have changed!! On the odd day when I do need to actually look nice, and not like a park mum the square box helps while I zip in for a brief shower.
Amber

I don’t have kids but as a nanny I would straight off the bat get the kids up to speed what we were doing…going out, get childs bag open on floor and have a separate lunch bag open, get the kids to russel us snacks, stories, and their needs and explain that you are going your own prep…and fingers crossed you get co operation and small windows of much lacking selfish time:) without then winging me me me, they love a job and feeling like they are helping. GOOD LUCK MUMS.
Cath

I always make sure they are fed, bathed and in front of the TV an hour before I have to leave…. I also shower while they’re in the bath so at least that’s done!!
Annisa

99% Preparation, 1% Perspiration…although its probably more like 50% perspiration during summer as I was still feeding & boy those boobies can make you sweat ! Yep agree with all in the preparation…start sourcing outfit a few weeks before, place on-line purchases at least a couple weeks out (esp to allow for exchanges if need be), be aware of what the weather will be & have plenty of choices of accessories to change the look depending on whether you are having another fat day or not. Also make sure hubby / partner / sitter can stop watching the telly & watch the baby so you can get ready. And finally make sure you have a glass of bubbles handy & crank up your favourite tune (even it means putting in earphones) just to get you in mood !!!
AJ

I think I have mastered this, agree it takes a bit of planning though….

When my first daughter was a young baby, I used to lie her on one of my clothes draws beside me where I was putting my makeup on – worked a treat!

Now – and I have one of those hubbys who boasts he only needs 15 mins to get ready (if he’s going too) – I have a deal with hubby that he has to look after child needs while I get ready (I usually aim to do this 2 hours in advance but put my outfit on last thing before walking out the door to avoid stains, snot, grubby fingers etc).

Other times I do the following:
- get baby sitter to come an hour earlier
- start getting ready throughout the day (ie washing drying styling hair, makeup bit by bit and then finally the outfit on before leaving)
- always let people know I’ll get wherever around 7.30-8pm (kids go down at 7pm each night) there is no particular start time – so I’m actually fashionably late!
- use bribery and corruption if desperate!

I must qualify all this with saying that my eldest girl is 17 months and my youngest just one week – so I have yet to experience the challenges of older kiddies… I’m hoping though that I can continue in a similar way as they get older.

One bonus I have is my own dressing room…, with a lockable door!!!
http://www.foxinflats.com.au FoxInFlats

Wow, you guys are so sorted!
Will be using these tips next time I go out – which I think is when my husband is on a surfing weekend away.
Hopefully toilet training will be over by then…
http://boredomaboundsbyjulia.blogspot.com Julia @ Boredom Abounds

I’m not a mum, but I agree with your friend about having the outfit (and a back up outfit) worked out a few days in advance. From accessories to shoes to bag to make up, have it all ready to go the day before to ease the pressure of rushing around trying to find things.

Great blog, by the way!
http://www.foxinflats.com.au FoxInFlats

Thanks Julia!
http://profiles.google.com/hayley.pinwheel hayley blease

I think your friend has given you some awesome advice! I always have the outfit chosen, although I also seem to have the last minute change of mind. That then leads to a whole lot of chaos….. The tv is the bomb, and always helps me.

You gave me a giggle! x
- Anonymous
  
  Thanks Hayley You know, I did have my outfit chosen (wore ‘worlds best top for a mummy tummy, again) and my new killer heels (which WERE killers – I ended up with a disco injury from my bad dancing after a few champers…) Oh dear…
http://www.maidinaustralia.com Bronnie

Not that it necessarily will work, but getting a babysitter that knows them and you – so they are looking forward to seeing her/him already. And defo getting them to come half an hour early., so if you’re running late, you can finish getting dressed in peace. I don’t expect my babyistter to cook, so will usually have dinner ready to serve. Unless babysitter loves to cook. We once had a French one, who always made French crepes with the kids and the fillings and they just assembled dinner together as part of the fun. Yes, she was gold!
- Anonymous
  
  Mmmm, crepes! Sounds awesome. I once had a sitter who tidied my Tupperware cupboard. I wasn’t sure whether to be insulted, thrilled, or freaked out…