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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask how on earth you get ready with a toddler??

54 replies

joleigh332 · 22/02/2018 14:14

Second DC but big age gap plus first was more of a laid back baby.

Second DC is 18 months and I am struggling to run so much as a hairbrush through! Other mums on school run (even with teeny babies) seem to manage to look lovely!

If I put DC in cot (still with me), she cries so I just about manage to shove hair in a bun. Can't do while she's eating breakfast or anything as that would be downstairs (obviously unsafe to leave her), if she is in with me she wouldn't happily sit and watch TV or anything she just wants to be held.

Have I just got a v demanding baby or am I missing a trick??? It doesn't matter on the grand scheme of things but my confidence has hit rock bottom with baby weight not shifting and I'd feel 1000x better if I could get a bit of mascara on or style my hair!

OP posts:

ZZZZ1111 · 23/02/2018 12:35

Getting ready in bits can help rather than trying to do it all in one go I find.. I shower whilst my husband looks after him, then I quickly get dressed and do make up (only on Work days) with toddler roaming our bedroom. We have our cupboard locks on drawers and also accepted that he will pull stuff out of wardrobe and trash things a bit but it takes a couple of mins to undo it all so not that bad. I have some books and toys in the bedroom so he can also be entertained whilst I do make up. I often do my hair properly once in the car (and on non work days it just stays in its scruffy Mum bun). I have basically lowered my standards in various areas and do what I can!

DrWhy · 23/02/2018 12:35

Mine comes in the shower with me, I get him dry and a nappy in him while I drop all over the bathroom floor! Then release him into the bedroom/bathroom to roam about causing havoc - ive put everything I possible can out of reach except his books and toys. Get dressed whilst occasionally stopping him grabbing something he shouldn’t, setting the house alarm with DHs keys, poking my phone etc. and reading endless books. Dry my hair and his whilst he runs backwards and forwards trying decide if the hairdryer is nice or scary. Capture him and wrestle some clothes on him - probably while reading another book or two. I Don’t bother with makeup, if it’s really essential i do it at work - if you aren’t heading to work or some other toddler free location then a mirror at the table while they have breakfast seems sensible.

Neverender · 23/02/2018 12:41

I shower before she wakes up, dry my hair downstairs and keep my makeup in the car. I park and work and do it there.

Neverender · 23/02/2018 12:42

Oh! And I second eyelash extensions!

Makingworkwork · 23/02/2018 12:43

I bath with toddler before bed. In the morning DH has her for 10 mins while I wash my face and put on make and the rest I can do with her roaming around upstairs.

Meandmy4 · 23/02/2018 12:45

Im on my own but have 4 ... my youngest ds is 13 months now and i swear to you is faster than bolt around the flat !... his screech if i leave him for 10 second would make u fillings rattle !...i get him up change his nappy,launch him in high chair, put books,toys even remote control on high chair tray take mirror etc infront room and get ready i. There .... but i also have invested in a wooly (sparkly hat)😂... sparkles deflect from bags under eyes ! ... a cheap grey tracksuit (hides weetabix banana & yogs so much better than black) and a massive scarf 😂... scarf hat and coat hide every sin 😂...( Contemplated a head bag)but would scare dc& others dcs in playground. Its hard i feel ur pain but failing all these a gag and some zip lock ties ! 😂Xxx

2kidsnopets · 23/02/2018 12:45

Mine never woke at a predictable time so I
Couldn't shower before they were up. I just pop baby on bathroom floor with a pile
Of toys and board books and get ready as fast as I can. If they whine a bit, it won't kill them, it's not like they're left alone.

Chienrouge · 23/02/2018 12:46

When mine were going through this phase I used to get up half an hour before them so I was dressed and presentable by the time they got up. Not always what I fancied when DD2 was in her ‘getting up at 5.30am’ phase but it made me feel better in the long run.
Now they’re 4 and 2.5 I have to stop them going through my make up bag and plastering themselves in eyeshadow!

Roomba · 23/02/2018 12:51

I had to either get up a good hour before everyone else so I was ready before they even opened their eyes, or just let then scream for a a few minutes while I did the bare essentials.

Littlecaf · 23/02/2018 12:56

tell me about it! When I was working I’d do make up on the train and dry my hair downstairs while DS was eating.

Now I have two and I can’t think about foof back after maternity leave - it’ll still be make up on the train - DS no. 2 can stay ok his cot until I’m ready. If he cries, he cries. The older DS is fine watching tv for 15 mins while I shower. I’ve stopped feeling guilty about it.

Vibe2018 · 23/02/2018 12:59

I put my 18 month old in the travel cot in the living room and put peppa pig on. She is quite happy then.

MrsWoolySheep · 23/02/2018 13:05

I was in the same boat, two dc, big age gap, first chilled out, second not so much.

I ended up just going out in leggings and a hoody with hair in a bun, not ideal and probably not what you wanted to hear. I would make more effort on a weekend when dh was home and do make up then.

Youngest is 2 now and it's a lot easier because he will play alone and watch tv. Still trashes the place sometimes. It doesn't last forever.

I'd like to say just don't worry about how you look, but I know it's not that easy.

Could you pamper yourself a bit in the evenings? Wash your hair and straighten it or whatever, do your eyebrows, paint your nails, lay your clothes out. You might feel a bit better even with no make up.

Bravenew · 23/02/2018 13:09

We both got up before i left for work and took turns eating and getting washed while supervising dc.

Option 2 is place travel cot near a tv, insert toddler and stick cbeebies/ Peppa pig on.

coffeeforone · 23/02/2018 13:15

I tend to do mine at the kitchen table (with a small mirror) while DS is eating. I usually just do either do hair or makeup so I don't look too scary! Only bother with both if i'm actually going for lunch or something.

Onlyoldontheoutside · 23/02/2018 13:21

I got my hair cut into a really good wash and go style when DD was born,dyed my eye lashes and that was it.
DD is 14 and I'm still trying to shift the baby weight!

TomFun · 23/02/2018 13:23

I’ve been wondering the same, OP! I used to get ready in about 15 minutes whilst DH had his breakfast and kept an eye on DD. DH has just started leaving an hour earlier as his shift has changed, so I’m trying to juggle getting ready with my DD around my feet. I shower in the evenings when DH is home, but I still want to put a brush through my hair on a morning and stick some make up on to make myself feel better! I think I’ll start doing my make up in the lounge after reading others posts on here. Or start getting up at 5am

moita · 23/02/2018 13:58

This thread has made me feel so much better as my 13 month old is also very clingy. I lay out my outfit the night before, hair washing gets done at night as well: I'm growing my hair so I can shove it up as my bob takes so long to style: it looks rubbish most of the time.

Have to admit to using Mr Tumble on youtube to buy myself shower and make-up time in the morning to look more human.

Tobebythesea · 23/02/2018 14:21

I work 3 days a week so I shower and do makeup after I have dropped DD off at Nursery and gone to the gym. On the other days, I shower when my DH is home and then either have lots of toys on the floor of the bedroom or it’s my handy nanny - CBeebies for 10 mins.

user1474460381 · 23/02/2018 14:23

After DS turned 1 I realised I hadn't worn make up since he was born and rarely did anything with my hair because he was clingy and it was easier not to bother. I realised I was looking a bit shabby and sorted myself out. I now wash/straighten my hair 2x a week while DS sleeps at night. I also use a moisturiser with a hint of tan after showering so I look a bit healthier and don't need foundation. In the mornings I have a spritz of dry shampoo then a quick flick with the straighteners to tidy up my hair and use a compact mirror to put on a bit of blusher and mascara while DS eats his breakfast. I feel that I look so much better and it takes hardly any time at all.

Cath2907 · 23/02/2018 14:30

I had a cling-on baby/ toddler. She is now a sophisticated, confident and charming 7yr old. She couldn’t be an easier kid! I now have a cling-on 10 week old puppy! What have I done??? You have my sympathy.

Pleasedontdrawonyoursister · 23/02/2018 14:55

I set my alarm for 30 mins before the DCs have to get up, so I have at least done my make up. It’s very important to me to have Just the basics done. Am currently pg with DC3 so am seriously considering semi permanent eyeliner/lash extensions to make my life easier!

tumblerumble · 23/02/2018 19:48

Im sorry many of you have similar struggles but at the same time I feel so much better knowing DC is not the only clingon baby!!!

Some fab ideas and yes to a hat & scarf!! Currently do this as it hides messy hair and disguises general tired/un made up self.

I'm a newly single parent so don't have any adults around to watch DCs while I get ready and she is still not in much of a solid sleep routine so i couldn't get up earlier than her, some days its 3am/5am or some days she is in with me until we get up. Same issue with evenings really I can only manage a quick shower as often she will stir so I couldn't really wash/dry/style hair in advance. Nightmare child!

PurplePotatoes · 23/02/2018 19:53

Sounds very familiar!! My 17 month old DS is exactly the same, I can't even go in the kitchen or upstairs without him screaming blue murder or taking the opportunity to hit/bite/nip his sister!

I do my make up and hair (always just slung up in a ponytail these days tbh!) in the dining room mirror while kids eat breakfast and clothes I bring down the night before and get dressed in the room with curtains shut.

Allthewaves · 23/02/2018 19:56

Mine were in own room so had gates over door and let the rampage around bedroom for 10mins

Aaaalltheboys · 23/02/2018 22:08

If you've a big enough sling/carrier try wearing her while you do make up etc. She'll get to see what you're doing and still have the closeness of being with you. I did this a lot with dc2! X

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