How Do You Shower with Your Toddler Around?

Been there :) I often woke up before my husband (5:30 for me and 6:00 for him) to shower before - yikes, right! lol

Other days, I would bring my walking toddler into the bathroom with me, lock the door, set down the "beach blanket" (towel) with different toys of the day and shower, etc.

-2 dixie cups of water with Little People
-sponge, water in a cup
-baby doll and bottle
- small bucket of balls, (I'd ask her to help me clean up and would throw one in and miss -she'd toss for a long time having fun..)

3 activities rotated did wonders for us.

I never felt comfortable either leaving my child while I showered. I did 2 different things---I would take a bubble bath every other day. On those days my duaghter could play in the bathroom because I could see her the entire time. She usually wanted to help me bath by putting the bubbles on me. As an added bonus my hair seemed to be healthier since I skipped a day of shampooing. The other days I put her in the shower with me. She got a huge kick out of catching the water run off in a small pail and liked to wash the walls down with a washcloth. Plus she was clean for the day. Good Luck!

I usually shower when my son is napping, but if he is awake I either bring him into the shower with me or he can play in the bathroom.

I would give him toys in the bathroom, I;m sure he'll have more fun opening up the curtain and playing peek a boo though or just shower with him. My kids loved to be in the shower with me.

I have the same problem...I make sure there isn't anything that he can get into...I out the waste basket up high in the sink. Then, I bring toys in the bathroom and set him with his toys. I take the fastest shower of my life, while talking to him at the same time...I don't dry my hair, but I don't have to go to work so I really don't need to.

Even when my kids were old enough to walk, I would bring the exersaucer into the bathroom with me when I would shower. They were constrained, but still could remain entertained.

Hi J.,

I work out mon-fri before everone gets up (my gym opens at 5:30) - I shower there and am home by 7:30 when my husband leaves for work. It makes a big difference during the week when I walk in ready to roll instead of trying to get showered and dressed with my kids at my feet. My days are longer for it but I'm actually more energized all day b/c I get in a good workout and take time for myself before the rest of the day being about everyone else!

I used to drag the highchair or swing into the hallway outside the door and put my daughter in there. Anytime I would hear her fuss I would play peek-a-boo and she would be fine... sometimes I also gave her a sippy cup or some toys to play with while in there. It was a great way for me to take a shower and relax.... only bad thing was I no longer had an excuse to not shave my legs! LOL

Good luck and many blessings to you!

I put my daughter on her stool by the sink, turn the water on so it's barely running and give her a toothbrush. She'd play at the sink like that for a half hour if I let her. I can see her and shower at the same time. Just an idea!

Shower before your husband does so you're ready when he wakes up.

I always had to shower the night before... when my husband was home in case our son woke up....

now that our son is age 3, I can finally jump in the shower and know that he's fine for 10 minutes running around the house or watching a show or whatever. but I had the same issue and will again now that we're expecting baby #2 in july. I don't think I'd leave a 1-year old loose in the house. you just never know what could happen. lots of mothers probably just put them in the crib during that time, but our son would have cried hysterically the entire time and bothered every neighbor... that would not work. you could try putting a pile of his favorite toys in the bathroom with you and just really being quick. I did that in a pinch a few times. but I found that showering the night before was much more relaxing. then during morning nap time I would just wash my face & brush my teeth and get dressed for the day....

Hi J.,
I used to put my son in his crib with toys, a sippy and I turned music on. He did cry the first several times but I knew he was safe and it wasn't long before he was fine with it. I was never comfortable locking him in the bathroom with me, I was afraid he would open the toilet or climb on it and slip. A lot of my friends did bring their kids into the bathroom and it worked for them.

You could either bring toys in to the bathroom and lock him in there with you or (I do this now) have him shower with you, save the water in the tub, and he can bathe while you finish getting ready. This works great for us and kills two birds with one stone, saves water, and now that I am 7 months PG helps me not have to bend down to do the bath routine.

Ha! We all have this problem! I shower during my 2 yr. old's nap or b/4 bed. I stay home, though, so that part is easier. Since you work outside of the home, I would suggest waking up b/4 your husband & showering, or showering at night. I personally do not think you should shower w/ a 1 yr. old wandering around on his own. I don't do that now w/ my 2 yr. old even (though I tend to be over protective).

I use to put the playpen right outside the bathroom door and just shower with the door open or I could hear everything he did. Some houses you could put the playpen right in the bathroom with you. The high chair in the bath would work nice too. When he was old enough to walk he would come in the shower with me at times.

S.

I actually have put my 11 month old in his pack and play outside the bathroom door. He climbs out of his stroller but I used to do that too.
And when I did leave him by himself ONCE he crawled right into the bathroom and pulled the shower curtian and gave himself a shower along with the entire floor and everywhere else.

I would just put my son in the bathroom with me. Make sure the cabinets can't be opened and that the wastebasket is on the counter where it can't be reached. Give him a small pile of toys and books to look at and keep it short and sweet - he'll be fine.

The alternative (I did this frequently too) is to shower after you put him to bed at night instead of in the mornings....

I would try putting your son in his crib. I put my son in his when I showered, put in a bunch of toys and books and played fun music for him, made sure the lights were on the blinds were open so he knew it wasn't nap time.
It worth a shot.

Good Luck!