Confessions of a Drive-Through Mom

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For the first few years of motherhood, I became nearly obsessed with the concept of drive-through.

It didn’t start off that way. I lugged my first baby around with me everywhere and really didn’t mind taking his carrier with me when I had to. If he was asleep, my left bicep and shoulder got a workout. If he was awake, he was strapped to me, in my arms, or (later on) walking.

Confessions of a Drive Through MomBut as we had two and then three kids, the car became something else for us. It was transport to and from preschool twice a day (or more if we forgot something at home). It often felt like the only way to calm a tantrum or initiate simultaneous naps. It was a changing station, closet of sorts, and our little dance party on wheels.

 

#confessions

1. I’ve used my car to help my kids nap. “Hey kids, let’s go take those library books to the book drop and then take the long way home.”
 
2. The world would be a better place if there was a drive-through cupcake shop in my town. Any entrepreneurs reading this? Donuts, check. But cupcakes would be amazing.
 
3. Fact: Strapping three kids three and under into their carseats is no simple or speedy task. It doesn’t get quicker when they are old enough to strap themselves in. Having to repeat the process usually negates the idea of making a “quick stop.” Sometimes I’d rather keep them in the car for #allthestops to avoid sitting in a parking lot for another 15 minutes waiting for everyone to get their seatbelt on peacefully.
 
4. I’ve stayed in the car to let a sleeping baby sleep. Yup. Who hasn’t?
 
5. I spend way too much on fast food. When the kids are HANGRY, the buildings with windows that deliver food into your hands are godsend. 
 
6. I sometimes just work online in my car in a parking lot if it’s going to save me half an hour of driving around town to get to my desk. Thank you, iPhone hotspot and my favorite laptop. More thanks go to drive-thru coffee shops for fuel and sustenance.
 
7. These were my car essentials before kids – corkscrew, sunglasses, cute change of shoes, umbrella, money.
 
8. These are my car essentials after kids – spare clothes, wipes, towels, diapers, extra shoes, toys, books, money.
 
9. Your store might not have a drive through window, but I will try and call you to deliver the goods I’m about to buy from you to my car parked right outside your front door. Folks, businesses will do this if you just ask. Key words to use on the phone: sleeping babies taking their nap or my kids just fell asleep in the backseat!
 

Do you love drive-through as much as I do?

3 COMMENTS

  1. My boss started a curbside service at her pack & mail shop, and while I thought it was a neat idea that set our shop apart from the others in town, I didn’t fully appreciate it until I had sleeping babies and errands to run.

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