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Parenting

how do you manage a shower with a 1 year old around?

46 replies

42andcounting · 18/11/2014 12:03

My DD is 13 months, not walking yet but crawling and into everything. My DP works away during the week, leaves sunday evening, back friday evening.

DD just hates to be left at the moment, even for a minute. If I put her in the cot, she screams her head off. I used to put her on the landing with toys (safe area, with stairgate & bedroom/bathroom doors closed), but now she just stands against the bathroom door and sobs if I do that. If have her in the bathroom with me she explores, licks the floor/toilet, traps her fingers in the shower door (tiny gap), etc, so thats not feasible either. She won't nap until about 11/12, so thats no good either. If I take her in the bathroom in the highchair she mithers for a breastfeed, and gets agitated.
My current solution is to put her in the high chair in the bedroom with cbeebies on, bed & bath doors open, and speed shower. However I feel bad parking her in front of the tv (although she loves it! ). I'd welcomeany suggestions anyone has for other things I could try! Many thanksSmile

OP posts:
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42andcounting · 18/11/2014 12:05

Apologies for typos (on phone whilst breastfeeding little wriggly person!)

OP posts:
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WipsGlitter · 18/11/2014 12:07

Can you shower first thing, before they get up? I just put them in the cot (in our room close to ensuite) with a few toys and got on with it.

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JuniperTisane · 18/11/2014 12:13

You know what? If using tv keeps her quiet for fifteen minutes while you're showering I really can't see a problem with that. Judicious use of CBeebies so you can get stuff done is perfectly fine.

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RightyTightyLeftyLoosey · 18/11/2014 12:15

I don't really have any great advice as I struggled with this for ages, I gave up and just shared baths with DS in the evenings!

He hated being left alone, would scream or try to climb in over the sides of the bath.
Its become a thing now though, no one can have a bath or shower alone without being invaded by a toddler!

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Imperialleather2 · 18/11/2014 12:16

I get up at 5:45 to have a shower before my two wake up. 4yrs and 13 months old, it kills me but literally the only way to have a shower in peace. Not helpful I know

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Heels99 · 18/11/2014 12:17

I got showered before they woke up in morning or during nap time. Or after they went to bed in evening.

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Heels99 · 18/11/2014 12:19

I think though you already have a solution with the tv. But use a five point harness in the high chair or one day you will get out the shower to find them hanging out of it or dangling by a strap. Voice of experience here.

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sliceofsoup · 18/11/2014 12:21

I'm not sure why you seem embarrassed to put her in front of the TV while you shower, or why you feel that's not a good solution to your problem. Confused

You aren't parking her anywhere. She is watching a bit of childrens TV while you shower. Call social services now ffs.

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sweetkitty · 18/11/2014 12:23

Why can't you shower at night when she's asleep? I know not as good so first thing but needs must.

Get up before them, toys in cot, wait until nap time?

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AnythingNotEverything · 18/11/2014 12:31

Sounds like a good solution to me. DD is a similar age and stands at the end of the bath throwing bath toys at me or sits on the mat putting toys in and out of containers. It's hardly relaxing but she's not very interested in the loo yet thankfully.

I wouldn't worry about CBeebies if she's safe. No harm being done.

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Bridezilla3521 · 18/11/2014 13:07

Invest in a playpen!! My DD loves hers and she picks what toys she wants to play with while get ready (and have nick jr on to entertain as well!).

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confusedandemployed · 18/11/2014 13:10

I either showered before she woke up, or she came into the bathroom with me. A few toys on the windowsill / ledge of the bath and she was happy. She still does this at 21 months.

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bluebeanie · 18/11/2014 13:10

I have a 14 month old. I shower at night and take as long as I want. It's the only way I can manage it

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curiousgeorgie · 18/11/2014 13:10

I put DD in her cot with a few toys when I have a quick shower... Or set the iPad up on her chest of drawers with a movie on..

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Cherrypi · 18/11/2014 13:14

I took mine into the shower with me. Now I alternate that with using TV and keeping doors open and being quick.

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juliascurr · 18/11/2014 13:18

this is why cbeebies was invented
provide a few snacks and you'll get more time
enjoy your shower

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sillymillyb · 18/11/2014 13:19

I feel your pain! I am a single parent and remember sobbing on a friend when ds was about 1 that all I wanted was to shower alone!

If she's happy with tv, then for gods sake stick with it! Other alternatives as others have already mentioned are showering at night, before she wakes, with the plug in and baby in with you too, with toys on bathroom floor while you nip in, in high hair with a biscuit.....

Ds is 2.5 now and I just bung him in with me. Not relaxing, but needs must!

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Alibabaandthe40nappies · 18/11/2014 13:23

I have used Cbeebies in order to have a peaceful shower for many years, it won't hurt her at all.

If you have one like DS2, then I used to actually bring him into the shower with me which he loved - although he would try and latch on Grin - because if I left him anywhere else he would trash the house by about 11 months old.

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Valsoldknickers · 18/11/2014 13:28

I shower in the morning. Sometimes ds is still asleep, sometimes not. I use the babysitting services of Nick Jr while I get washed if he is awake. If he happens to be awake he might be left in his cot in my bedroom or in the travel cot in the sitting room. He is not too fussy luckily. He also has siblings who have to get to school on time so even if he did throw a strop it would be ignored!

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MamaMed · 18/11/2014 13:32

I give her breakfast on her highchair but move the highchair opposite the bathroom door. She watches me bath whilst she has breakfast Shock

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Livvylongpants · 18/11/2014 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spiderlight · 18/11/2014 13:36

This is what CBeebies is for!! It's not as if she's there all day.

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fishfingerSarnies · 18/11/2014 13:38

Used to stick her in her play pen and let her get on with it some times she winged sometimes she played, the more she got used to it the less she winged the more she played. But don't feel guilty about a little cbbies if that means you get to shower in peace.

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EmilyGilmore · 18/11/2014 13:46

Mine did this. They do get used to the idea of seeing you showering. Mine would bang on the glass at first and cry - I used to bring her into the bathroom, lock the door and scatter toys around. I think it just becomes normal and less weird/scary to them in time.

Failing that, you shower first thing before your DH goes out! (I'm too lazy though)

Just a thought, I wouldn't put her in the high chair if you can't see her - she might choose that moment to try to jump out! I would just let her roam, so long as your certain she can't get down the stairs. We have a flat so thankfully no stairs to worry about - makes life a LOT easier.

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bonkersLFDT20 · 18/11/2014 13:46

We had an ikea high chair which had a really large footprint. It straddled the loo. I would put DS2 in it and sing and interact (a bit) while I showered. It was less stressful that wondering whether he'd be happy in his cot or strapped in his high chair elsewhere.

Or I would put him in the bath while I showered (shower is in the bath).

Nothing wrong bit a bit of CBeebies though, you know.

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