Thursday 23 January 2014

Mission Impossible: taking a shower when you have a toddler

outdoor shower Before I was a parent if I wanted to take a shower it went something like this:

Wake up. Drink Tea. Faff about. Go into bathroom. Complain about the cold floor. Turn on shower. Shower. Get out of shower. Get dressed. Go about my day.

Then our son was born and I didn't want to leave him out of my sight so I'd only shower if someone else was watching him the whole time. This meant taking a shower in the evenings when Hubbie was home or when family came to visit.

Now our boy is 3 years old and taking a shower goes something like it did this morning:

Me: I'm going to go upstairs and have a shower now. Are you ok ?
The boy: Yes Mummy. I'm watching Peppa Pig.
Me: Ok I'll just put my tea cup in the sink.
The Boy: Mummy, can I have another muffin please ?
Me: I don't have any more muffins sweetie. How about some toast ?
The Boy: I want another muffin.
Me: I'll see what I've got.
adequate replacement found
Me: Right. I'm going up to have my shower now.
The Boy: Mummy, I want to watch the Baby Gruffalo please.
Me: Ok I'll put it on then I'm going for my shower.
The Boy: Thank you Mummy.
I make it halfway up the stairs
The Boy: Mummy, I need the toilet.
Me: Ok, you know how to go to the toilet.
The Boy: Yes Mummy.
A few minutes later
The Boy: Mummy can you clean my bottom please ?
Me: Yes sweetie. 
niceties done and hands washed
The Boy: Thank you Mummy. Can I watch the penguin please ?
Mummy: You want to watch Lost and Found ?
The Boy: Yes Mummy - the Penguin is lost and the boy found him so it's Lost and Found.
Me: Yes son, that's right. I'm going to have my shower.
I make it to the top of the stairs this time
My Boy: Mummy, I want to watch the rain again.
Me: You want to watch the storm again ? Ok.
rewind film to the start of the storm - repeat this stage three times
 Me: I'm going up to have my shower now, Ok ?
The Boy: I want to change my clothes Mummy.
Me: Can I just have my wash first then we'll both get dressed.
The Boy: I want to get dressed now Mummy.
Me: ok come with me and we can get you dressed. 
he skips up the stairs and chooses and rejects two jumpers, three t shirts and any socks - finally settles on a jumper and starts to go downstairs
Me: Ok where will you be while I shower ?
The Boy: In the back room Mummy.
Me: Playing ?
The Boy: Yes Mummy
Me: If someone is at the front door don't open the door please - call me.
The Boy: Yes Mummy.
He's going downstairs now
Me: What do you do if the door bell rings ?
The Boy: Answer it.
Me: No sweetie, you call Mummy. What do you do ?
The Boy: wait for Mummy ?
Me: Yes baby, you can call me.
Carries on downstairs
A few minutes pass
A knock on the bathroom door
Me: Yes ?
The Boy: Mummy, I want to take my jumper off.
Me: can you wait until I've finished going to the toilet please ?
Door opens slowly
The Boy: Can you help me take off my jumper please Mummy ?
Me: Ok. can I just finish going to the toilet please ?
Door closes slowly
Jumper removed, he goes back downstairs
Finally, I'm in the shower
Door opens
The Boy: Mummy, I need a hat.
Me: Can you wait until I come downstairs please ?
The Boy: I'm ready Mummy.
Me: I can see that. You've got your outdoor shoes on. Where are you going ?
The Boy: To the park.
Me: Can you wait for me please ?
The Boy: Yes Mummy.
Stands waiting in the bathroom
Walks away and closes the door 
I get out of the shower and start drying off 
He walks back in shoeless and sockless and wearing a different jumper
The Boy: Mummy, I can't find Jiggles.
Me: He was on the sofa. Have a look for him there.
He goes downstairs
The Boy: (calling from downstairs) I found him Mummy !
Me: Great news.
The Boy: Mummy, I hurt my head.
Me: How did that happen sweetie ?
The Boy: On the table when I went to get Jiggles.
He's upstairs now, I'm in my bedroom 
The Boy: I want to go to the park.
Me: Look out of the window sweetie - it's raining.
The Boy: Oh.
pause
The Boy: Are you ready Mummy ?
Me: Yes sweetie.

24 comments:

  1. Oh how so true! So funny but so true!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh this is so sweet, I remember days like this when my kids were little.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh yes! Don't expect to do anything easily when you have a toddler!! It does get easier as they get older and more able to sort themselves out. Having said that, my first just got to that stage and I've started all over again!! Ahh!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very true... it does get easier!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh yes, this is so how it used to be at my house too. I had forgotten now the boys are bigger!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Classic. Impossible to do anything for yourself with small child in the house :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hahahaha bless... all the joy yet to come my way :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Heh heh and this is why I only bath or shower when they are asleep!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. That sounds like our house! I love my morning shower but have to wait for the weekend now for a decent long shower when my husband supposedly watches the children.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lol i love it that he needs a hat when you are in the shower. He obviously loves you so much he doesn't want to leave your side xxx

    ReplyDelete
  11. So true! I don't think I've had a bath without a small visitor poking their head around the door for about 13 years. One day I will succeed!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh how true! in fact when we want/need to do ANYTHING for ourselves I'm sure te kiddies have hidden radars lol

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh all too familiar! Great post!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the way he got himself ready to go out! And then took his shoes and socks off again. Kids, eh??

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hilarious and oh so true - I have a 3 year old too! Brilliant that he got himself ready, love that :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Does this mean there is a film of Lost and Found? *Runs off to google excitedly*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was on Nick Jnr the other day - just happened to spot it :)

      Delete
  17. Haha so true! My little girl is going through abandonment worries at the moment and goes crazy when I go into the bathroom. I normally give in and bring her in to play on the floor, but she just stares at me... rather off putting!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Haha I remember those times. Thankfully I can get a shower quite easily now the youngest is 6!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh I hear you! Only now I have a baby as well whose only routine is to need a feed RIght Now no matter what time I try to get clean. It's all fun ;)

    ReplyDelete
  20. As the others have said- hilarious and very true! Something to treasure though :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. So true....even shutting the door doesn't work lol

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hilarious yes a toddler will hunt you down !

    ReplyDelete
  23. Haha, so true! I only shower when someone else is here or the kids are at school/nursery. When Miss J is home all day, I have to take her to the loo with me. *sigh*

    ReplyDelete