How do you shower when your husband isn't home but all your kids are awake and a shower is a MUST?
The details:
One stinky Momma
6 yr. old son-- the antagonizer
4 yr. old daughter-- the informer
2 1/2 yr. old son-- the destroyer
9 month old son-- the explorer
We don't watch t.v. All kids are home. I didn't bother getting up early enough to shower before hubby left for work. This is a recurring dilemma.
P.S. Go to Smockity Frocks and buy an apron. It will heal what ails you. Wouldn't you love to see one of those darling aprons in your Easter basket? Easter is March 23rd this year. Or you could be smart and buy one now. Then it will make Easter dinner for you. You'd be surprised. My apron makes desserts all the time. But shh! don't tell Erin. Twouldn't be prudent.
32 comments:
Hmmm...I guess I would say start showering at night before bed. Unless you can establish a quiet time where the older two are on their own beds looking at books, maybe during the younger two's naptime? I'm sure your husband appreciates you seeking help with this issue! LOL!!
I'm with Lori, when the kids were younger I started showering before bed and then in the morning, take a wash cloth and do a quick clean-up at the sink so it just became a habit I stuck with. I actually like showering before bed because in the winter it helps to warm me up and in the summer it helps to cool me off plus it really helps me relax and fall asleep faster and easier.
Lock them all in the bathroom with you? :-) Just kidding! I only have one 6-month-old and I already am giddy when I get to shower!
Amber
Maybe you don't want to hear this, but there was one day when I wanted to call my husband and beg him to come home so I could get something important done like a shower. And I realized that I needed to use the resources I had at my fingertips.
That involves TV--movies, to be more precise. I'm pretty against all TV for kids, but I use kid movies to my advantage (when they're past the age of 2--I feel pretty strongly about no TV before age 2). They get time to stare at the TV so seldom that it really holds their attention--so I don't have to worry about what they're getting into. How much time are we talking about? 20 mins? 20 mins of Nikki-approved movie every day is not going to stunt their learning, according to me.
Again, maybe this isn't helpful to you at all--sorry! I've just been there before and I decided that a segment of a movie for the kids was a-okay for us.
If my 1 year old is awake when I shower I put him in the playpen close to the shower with some toys in there. He's gotten used to it.
I just tell the kiddos, "I'm taking a shower now, you can wait with your comments/requests until I am done!"
It's as simple as that, I promise. :)
Throw the two younger ones in with you and make the other two sit in time out! Just Kidding....
My kids have always showered with me until the age of around 3-4ish... Everyone may not agree with this, but it has worked for us! I can't function without a morning shower. Sometimes I also shower at night and then just take a quick rinse in the morning.
Duct tape the younger two to the wall and have the older two check for vitals every 30 seconds?
No?
I typically also just say "I'm taking a shower now. Be good."
But mine are older.
Typically I shower at night before bed, though. It keeps the sheets cleaner. :)
When my older three could occupy themselves watching a movie, I'd put the littlest one in a highchair right next to the shower. I'd put some cheerios and a toy on the tray and I'd talk to her while I was in there. She wasn't sure why I was behind that curtain for so long, but she could hear my voice so she did just fine.
offer to pay the 6 and 4 year old to watch the youngers. money maybe or other treats. yes, this is bribery. but it works:-) all in the name of cleanliness!!!!
I take the baby into the bathroom in a stroller or the highchair, armed with toys and cheerios while 3 yo watches t.v. or is at preschool or else I wait until nap time. Of course, some days I just have to wait until my big kids get home to watch the babies.
No tv?! Just kidding. That' swhat I use when Im in that situation. The desperate times. Otherwise, I always shower at night after kiddo's are in bed. OR you coudl wait until the baby is sleeping (maybe the 2 1/2 year old too if they nap at the same time), and then get a good attention holding craft going for the rest of the kids (one that you won't worry about glue being eaten, new paint on the walls, etc...). Or, you could have them come into the bathroom with you and give them something to do in there. What that somethign is, well, no idea. lol
As for the apron... eh hem... March 23rd is not only Easter, but it's my BIG 3-0 BIRTHDAY! :) That should be plenty enough incentive for people to want to run out and snatch up those beauties! ;)
How about nap time? That would take care of the explorer (most vulnerable). The rest could have some room time.
Great question! Those shower times are precious.
Duckabush Blog
Get up before the kids... okay if that is out of the question, put the nine month old in the crib with fun music, put 2.5 yo on the floor in the bathroom with something special that they only get to use when you are in the shower. 4yo, put them in the room with the baby to entertain them.
6yo, give them a big kid job to do when you are in the shower.
Take a quick shower, I can get in and out in about 7 minutes.
I agree for the most part about no TV for the kids, but the Veggie Tails cartoon is just long enough to get in the shower and know they're not distroying the house, or eachother. I usually put on the cartoon put the kids on my bed and hop in the shower. They are not allowed to leave my room and I sometimes even lock the door (my bathroom is in my room, so really, I lock us all in). They are not allowed out untill I get out of the shower. As for the nine month old, excersaucers work great or a play pen. Oh, another idea just came to me, your oldest is six, I am sure learning how to read, or at least pretending he knows how to read, maybe sit them all on your bed and ask him to read to the other kids a few books. He doesn't have to actually read, but he could describe the pictures and they could all talk about what it looks like is going on in the book. This may require a few practice runs with your involvemnet for the entire crew to understand the concept. Hope that helps!!!
I used to bring them in the bathroom with me and give them a bucket of blocks or something to keep them occupied while I was showering. But, then there was the time MaddieLynn and her brother unwrapped all my, er, feminine hygiene products. I guess those were more interesting than blocks...
I go for nap time. Then at least the little one is "occupied". The other to can handle themselves for 10-15 min. especially if they are locked in the house and can't escape ;)
To get a good shave-your-legs-and-let-the-conditioner-sink-in shower you're gonna have to get up before the kids. Or try showering after they're in bed--but I'm not much of a night showerer myself. For a quick lather and rinse, go with TV. Put the baby in a playpen in the TV room (not facing the TV, just so he can see the other kids) and put on something you hate that they never get to watch--Spongebob, Lilo and Stitch, Star Wars, whatever. The 2, 4, and 6 year olds will be so enthralled that you'll have at least seven minutes before they realize you're gone.
I either shower at night or put my 2 year old in the shower with me. It is the only way I know he and our puppy aren't in cohootz trying to destroy our house! LOL Of course you wouldn't be able to put all those kids in with you, huh? OKay, yes my vote is for nighttime showering.
Truth be told, I thought that was what the TV was for!
How about having the older two do a puzzle or play a game or color (with washable crayons on a indestructible table) while you take the younger two in the bathroom with you and let them read books while you shower as fast as you can?
Or could you have the older two get dressed/brush their teeth/etc. while you shower. They could help each other with things that need help. This might take some training, and would probably not make for a peaceful shower the first time...but perhaps over time I would work. And again, I'd keep the younger ones with you in the bathroom.
I have a basket of toys in the bathroom that the kids can only play with when they are waiting for me to shower. It's not exactly relaxing for me, but I know they are safe. :)
Like the others have said, take a shower at night.
If you really need one in the morning, line up the little kids high chairs outside of the bathroom with a toy or book on their tray. I used to do this if we were going out in the morning and I wasn't clean. My parents once walked in unannounced while I was mid-shower (our first-floor bathroom is just inside the back door), and almost fell over laughing at the three of them lined up in the hall.
When my kids were little I took a bath instead of a shower. And yes, that included laying back and washing my hair. I had my "ears" when I was in the tub. They could come in and talk to me and if there was a crash or an emergency I could jump out if I had to. It was actually a really nice way to grab a few minutes to myself.
I have a 6 mo. and a 3 yr. old and I too need a morning shower. Hubby usually leaves at 5:30 and there is no way I am getting up at that hour. So, what I do is put the baby in his bed with mobile going and his rattles, teething rings, etc. and 3 yr. old sits on my bed with cars, books, etc.
This works pretty well. It doesn't allow for a long shower, but long enough to get clean and hair washed.
You know the saying "Where there's a will, there's a way." You'll find your way. Best of luck!!
Yeah...I babyproofed the bathroom (ie - put all the razors and poisons on the counter where she can't reach) and just let the 17 mo. roam. Locking them up seems like a good option! Maybe, in their bedroom?? That's tough! When I don't feel like dealing with the mess, I get up with daddy and take my shower before I get the (awake) baby out of bed.
By the age of 6 and 4, my kids could take care of themselves without getting into trouble while I took a shower. I can't remember what I did with a 2 year old; I probably dragged them into the bathroom to play while I was in there. The baby I'd strap into a chair that was at the end of the tub so he could watch me. I bought a Fisher Price Infant to Toddler Rocker for just this purpose and it stays in the bathroom where all 3 of my kids have used it.
My current youngest usually hangs out with me in the bathtub. Sometimes he looks around the curtain at me, sometimes he sits in his chair, sometimes he gets into stuff and I just pick it up when I'm done. I make sure anything I don't want him into is put up or out...like the garbage can that he likes to play in (and add used tissues to my shower for me).
I actually did this on my last works for me. You can find it here:
http://squibsandcrackers.com/2008/02/20/works-for-me.aspx
I didn't read through all the comments but I agree with most that I read. I would take the baby in with you, have the 2 year old in the bathroom, and put the other two in their rooms, if they don't share a room. Then I would go get some a few new toys for each age of your kids. They are only allowed to play with those toys during your showers on the days that your husband has already gone to work. Make sure you put the toys away so they are special to that time and they won't get bored with them and maybe even a few different types that you can rotate. I hope you find something that works I know I feel crummy all day if I don't get a shower.
From the time they are very small (3 mo old) my kids go in their beds with toys for 15-20 minutes each morning while I shower. (They are now 15months and almost 3.) They expect it and don't mind a bit. I get my sanity shower. And I think it's good for them to focus on one toy for a period of time - encourages creativity!
I would shower at night...which I have done before. Anything to shower...Or maybe even have the 6 year old watch the 4 and 2 year old and put the 9 month old in his bed....showers are only 15 minutes right and if everyone is good....no hitting, biting ect they get Popsicles.....
i shower at night
i squeeze the shower in before hubby leaves too but one day it just didn't happen. in desperation, my 4 yr old brought his breakfast into the bathroom and sat on his stool while i showered. he thought it was "cool!" he was good about giving me "privacy" too when i need to step in and out. my 19 mo old was still sleeping at the time. had he been up...i have no idea what i would have done.
We get up, we get breakfast, and I eat faster than the kids. While thier eating I jump in the shower. Breakfast is one meal that they always eat all and none is usually wasted on floor. The key here is: THEY ARE STRAPPED INTO THIER SEATS. They can't escape!
i shower while my kiddos eat breakfast - but i make it really quick. i fix their breakfast, put the little one in the highchair with his. i do normally, though, put the tv on for my 3 year old so he doesn't get to involved in his food and think he should experiment with what my walls would look like with pancake syrup on them or how much drinkable yogurt would it take to make the whole floor look wet....
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