Baby Steps
A Step by Step Conversation about Your Child's Development

A Developmentally Appropriate Shower

Bookmark and Share | |
 

Monday, January 25, 2010
by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford

Monday, Monday...Time to wake up and get going!

How do you get up and going? Besides the java, the shower does it for me. It's a daily neccessity.

Yes, taking a shower. It sounds so simple.  However, getting a shower with an infant or young toddler can be a challenge, especially if you are home alone, flying solo.

In those first days of mommyhood, I remember being so proud of my accomplishment. I was home alone. I was dressed and showered. I beamed. Ta-da! I did it!

Yes, sometimes, it is the little things. The littlest accomplishments in life. With the unknown of a little one's schedule, getting a shower (daily) has been one of my proud successes of parenthood.

Yes, you can wait on the nap, but I tend to "live on the edge" (all while keeping my munchkin happy and safe, of course!) and have found a great plan to getting a shower while all are awake.  It's a "developmentally appropriate shower."

It all started the week I brought her home. It started with the vibrating bouncy seat. Thank God for that creation. One of the best inventions ever. The vibrating chair, bright lights, bubbles and pretend fish are enough to mesmerize most infants for a few minutes (given that they are fed and changed before being put in such a contraption).

Then we moved to the portable infant swing. It had music and a mirror attached to it. Perfect for seeing herself.

Of course, both of the above were accompanied by my singing in the shower and a few games of peek-a-boo from around the shower curtain. All were happy.

As time went on (too quickly, it seems), she wanted to sit-up and move around. She wanted to see what else was going on.

Although not recommended by most pediatricians, I rebelled and found a gently used walker at a garage sale. With the help of a  few different toys each day, I was able to schedule my daily "vacation" (fondly referred to by my good buddies Maroo and Wooga). I should also mention that the use of my walker works well in my house which is void of staircases (the number one reason walkers have become a big no-no. Safety issues.). I would also shut the door to the bathroom as to be able to keep one eye on the munchkin while also scrub-a-dub dubbing.

Soon enough though, the glamour wore off (for her, not me...I still dig a hot shower every day). The toys began coming into the shower, tossed in one by one.  Next up, stickers (my munchkin was past the "eating them" phase). Those worked well until the day the walker was covered with them. There was nothing else to sticker.

Now, it's time for a change. Maybe "Sesame Street" and a daily use for that pack and play? Ah, Sesame Street with silly puppets, songs and enough educational content that makes me feel a-okay with that choice, at least for my 10 minute vacation. Luckily, even in the shower, I can peek out the door for her to see me and I to see her.

What amazes me as I think about this is how we morph to meet the needs of our kids while also meeting our own needs. It can be done. All while taking a shower. All while taking care of ourselves too.

Another day, another shower, a mini-vacation for me and another opportunity to explore for my kiddo

Enjoy!

 

Comments

Thursday, May 26, 2011 - whittathe

Hi - I am certainly happy to find this. Good job!

Sunday, April 03, 2011 - memphis car stereo

Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.

Saturday, March 26, 2011 - Evereaveali

Very informative post. Thanks for taking the time to share your view with us.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 - zenithink

Your post is very useful. Thank you so much for providing plenty of useful content.Thanks a lot for sharing these information. The post has also helped a lot. Look forward to your next post Your blog is very useful. Thank you so much for providing plenty of useful content. I have bookmark your blog site and will be without doubt coming back. Once again, I appreciate all your work and also providing a lot vital tricks for your readers.

Thanks for the great idea you have post. I'll wait for another info which will you share. zenithink mobile 2 sim wrist phone gpad spy cameras i found it very interesting and at the same time very informative i will definitely bookmark this site for future reference...

I leave a lot of comments on a lot of blogs each week - but there is one situation where I rarely leave a comment - even if the post deserves it.Good work

Saturday, January 30, 2010 - Tina

Now that I have 4 kids, the youngest being almost 10 months old and the oldest 7, I quickly shower in the mornings before my oldest goes to school. She's really good at keeping the baby safe while I take a quick 5-minute shower. My toddler and pre-schooler don't leave me alone during those 5 minutes, but at least I'm getting a shower. If I don't take my shower before my daughter leaves, it doesn't happen. I don't dare leave my middle two kids unsupervised together for even the 5 minutes. It's tricky figuring these things out.

Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Angie

I am a stay at home mom with a 18 month old daughter. When she as about 16 months she started to hate getting baths. So I started putting her in the shower with me. It works out great, she plays at one and while I do my thing at the other. I also wash her and she rinses herself and goes back to playing. We also have a game of brushing our teeth after the shower. I think it is a good way to teach her hygiene and get her into a good clean routine. Since she is in the mime stage, it is best to take advantage.

Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Michele

The baby einstein activity mat does it for us. He is 6 months old and still loves it!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Once my dd was able to sit up on her own I would just bring her in with me if I had to shower and she wasn't ready for a nap. I would sit her in her bath tub seat thing and push her to the end, then when I was done I would clean her.

Once she was old enough to not need the seat I stopped using it. My dh worked out of town for several years so dd showered with me often, still does ocassionally if need be.

Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Addylin

Im home all day and though I dont get out as often as I used to I still like to shower everyday. I know how it is when there is something that always needs to be done and you have no time for even a quick shower. Baby seems to use up every minute and If someone isnt home its rare you get one to yourself. when baby is sleeping Ill set her in the carseat, vibrating chair, or a baby pallet on the floor of the bathroom. I can keep an eye on her and enjoy a much deserved shower.

Thursday, January 28, 2010 - Jeannie

LOL! Not that easy. Never that easy. Just try, try and try again till I found what worked for my munchkin. Your kiddo may enjoy something totally different. Hang in there - and when someone is home taking care of your baby, take your 10 minutes, or longer, she'll be okay and you'll feel great;-) Thanks for reading (and sharing your experiences too)!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 - Rebekah

That is what I did with my first. Although when he was old enough to stand up I put him in the tall hamper and faced it toward the shower. He was happy and content as can be.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 - Samantha

God, she makes it sound sooo easy! lol, i try to shower anytime during the day, i wait until she's asleep or someone is home with her, and it still seems impossible! she's 3 months old, and it seems that something always has to be done. this woman is lucky i don't even get ten minutes!

Add a Comment

* Title RE: A Developmentally Appropriate Shower
Name
* Comment

 

Home > Blog > A Developmentally Appropriate Shower

Planning Family offers general information and is for educational purposes only. This information is not a substitute for professional medical, psychiatric or
psychological advice. Nothing on this website should be taken to imply an endorsement of Planning Family or its partners by any person quoted or mentioned.