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Original poster

If you're on your own with DC, how do you shower?

61 replies

clkim · 15/04/2022 10:17

I'm off today with my nearly 3 year old DS and I really need to wash my hair! I've already used dry shampoo for 2 days in a row and I can't get away with it any longer Grin

I obviously usually shower when my partner is home and can sit with DS but he is he working today and won't be back until later and I really need to run errands so can't go out with my hair like this.

I'm thinking the most sensible option here would be to put him in his bedroom to play as there's a safety gate on his door so I wont have to worry about him having an accident and falling down the stairs but it just makes me anxious leaving him unattended, even though it won't be for long. What does everybody else do?

OP posts:
Flippanty · 15/04/2022 10:38

Sorry I missed your update

TwoPenguins · 15/04/2022 10:39

When I'm alone with the kids I just shower/bathe in the evening once they are in bed. Sorted.

LaBelleSausage · 15/04/2022 10:41

Single mum to a 2 and 4 year old.
I shower while they're in the bath!
I have to watch them in there anyway, may as well be productive while I'm at it

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Original poster
clkim · 15/04/2022 10:43

@TwoPenguins Yep I do usually do this but had a lot going on yesterday evening/this morning so wasn't able to Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
clkim · 15/04/2022 10:44

Thanks everyone, I've managed to shower and he's playing happily in his bedroom Smile

OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 15/04/2022 10:44

Back to when mine were younger, I’d
Shower when they were in bed
Or wash my hair in the sink
Strip wash at the sink - no quicker, but you can dash out more easily/hear them better

Inyourhonor · 15/04/2022 10:52

I know you have already showered now.. but mine is almost 3 and I use the shower and he plays at the end of it with his ducks etc in the trickling water.

Original poster
clkim · 15/04/2022 10:54

@Inyourhonor Thank you, this is a really good tip Smile

OP posts:
jupitermars1345 · 15/04/2022 10:59

My other half leaves for work at 7am
I get up at 6.30am and shower
It just starts my day off better that way
Have a ten month old and a six year old
At almost 3 though I just made sure she was safe and got on with it.
Usually she would just watch TV whilst I did..I wasn't getting up earlier then to shower but my baby is clingy and she cries at loud noises like the shower and hoover so it's easier to do it before leaves atm

Appolonia · 15/04/2022 11:01

I've 2-year old twins.
To shower, sometimes I leave them in their cots, reading, looking out the window. (They don't try to climb out of the cots, but this wouldn't work with a 3-year old.
Or I take them into the bathroom with me. They play with my makeup/bottles etc while I quickly shower. Or sometimes I let them wander in the landing (with the stair gate shut).

bakewellbride · 15/04/2022 12:05

I shower / have a bath in the evening once my children are asleep.

AHungryCaterpillar · 15/04/2022 12:08

Do you think single parents never shower? I’m a lone parent to 4 (11 and under) including one with asd, I shower daily.

maddiemookins16mum · 15/04/2022 12:10

Honestly!! If I was in this position I’d stick him in his highchair in the kitchen with a biscuit and do it in the kitchen sink.

User48751490 · 15/04/2022 12:11

I shower in the evenings so I get peace when they are asleep.

veevee04 · 15/04/2022 12:14

Get up before he does put a gate on his room.

User48751490 · 15/04/2022 12:15

@clkim

I don't really like to leave him unattended because he literally has no sense of danger and will find a way to do anything. He's also non verbal, so it's not a simple case of just telling him what I will be doing because he won't understand. Occasionally I do leave him in the front room whilst I potter around in the kitchen but I really don't like to leave him on his own unless I absolutely have to.
I can sympathise as I have DC like this. They can't be left unsupervised very long.
User48751490 · 15/04/2022 12:15

@veevee04

Get up before he does put a gate on his room.
My youngest two are up between 5 and 6am. If only 🤣🤣
3WildOnes · 15/04/2022 12:17

My youngest is two. I just prop the door open whilst I shower. They are free to play in the house, watch tv…

Vsirbdo · 15/04/2022 12:27

I’ve always had to shower with DC there; at home I leave him watching my iPad in the bedroom while I shower. Door is closed and there’s a stair gate.
In places we’re not familiar with I take him in the bathroom with toys

Sunnytwobridges · 15/04/2022 12:27

@TiddleyWink

I just leave the bathroom door open and kids play upstairs. They’re 3 and 5 but I’ve done this for ages. Stair gate at the top of the stairs.

I’m another one who is baffled by women who insist they can’t have a shower because they’re in charge of a baby/child. Ensure they’re somewhere safe and crack on. If they need to be right next to you but will open the bathroom door then put a bolt on the door high up.

This. I was a single parent so I just put dd in her room or did things when she was asleep.
ElenaSt · 15/04/2022 12:30

Huge old fashioned wooden playpen. The best thing ever.

ElenaSt · 15/04/2022 12:32

wikipedia.org/wiki/Playpen

I could t have been without my one of these for my children.

ElenaSt · 15/04/2022 12:32

Couldn’t

FTEngineerM · 15/04/2022 12:35

I bath/wash my hair with toddler dc in the tub, I’d take him in the shower if I didn’t have a bath. Splooshing with water is a toddlers dream 😂

TwoShades1 · 15/04/2022 13:12

Leaving in the bedroom is perfectly sensible. Or he can come in the bathroom with you and have some time with a phone/iPad to watch a show or play a game. Or you put him in the actual shower with you.