Wondering how people manage in the mornings with toddlers?

[Ablackcat]

I’m sure there’s an easier way but at the moment I brush my teeth with a very small child hanging off my legs or trying to grab the toothbrush out of my mouth then shower with a small child banging on the door, dress with a very small child bringing me one toy after another while I say ‘Lovely!’ Dry my hair with a small child trying to grab my hairbrush then go downstairs (finally!)

Im not really looking for advice on how to change what I do in the morning (I mean I know some people shower in the evening etc) but is there an easier way I am missing or is this totally normal?

This is why Peppa Pig was invented.

I set my alarm for 4:45am, get up, workout then shower and get ready before toddler gets up at 6:15/6:30.

it there are days I don’t fancy working out I still get up 20 minutes before toddler to ensure in ready.

Also, I don't dry my hair, just let it air dry which helps and I've cut it to just below shoulders as it's just generally easier and quicker to manage. I use l'oreal 8 second wonder water instead of conditioner.

Luckily mine would happily watch tv in the mornings while he was getting ready.

I wash my hair and dry/style on the evening.
Shower in the morning is less than 2 mins. Throw a towel around me and dress toddler so once that's done I'm pretty much dry.
I always thought you were supposed to brush teeth for 2 mins twice a day, not 2 (that's what my electric toothbrush timer is for), and I get my toddler to brush their teeth at the same time. Obviously no hair drying needed, and clothes are sorted the night before and it takes less than 2 minutes to put them on.

I find it’s all about engagement. We do it all together.

My DD brushes her teeth while I brush mine. Then she sits and plays in the shower while I do my skin care. Then I get in the shower with her. I wash her. Then I wash myself and she rubs my legs when the soap washes down as well as plays with her bath toys so she’s having fun. I always put a towel robe on so I have my hands free to wrap her in her towel and carry her.

we get dressed together. She helps me. I help her. She plays with the hairbrushes and things while I’m doing my hair. By no means is getting ready a relaxing and enjoyable experience anymore. I’m constantly having to chase her half naked as she’s run off with an eye shadow or something dangerous but I find making it into a game has made it easier

That’s a good one. I was trying to remember things I tried to shorten my showers and leave in spray conditioner was something I flirted with briefly (kept forgetting to buy it!). I might go back to that for eco reasons more than time.

Shut the door between him and me 😂

DH and I take it in turns to get ready. The other one watches/distracts the toddler.

My 2 year old has just been diagnosed with diabetes and we are still getting used to the routines and managing his blood sugar crashes etc. and I've had horrendous morning sickness, just as work decided it was time to back to the office and the council have decided to dig up every conceivable route to work, turning a straight forward 20 minute journey into a 40 minute - 1 hour nightmare.
I just about had a nervous breakdown trying to deal with all that then turn up at the office on time and in some sort of fit state to work 😭
Luckily I have very helpful parents and DH has had a reality check. It's not fair for it all to be on one person.

I switched to leave-in conditioner, and only shaving my armpits in the mornings to save time. Or you could try just wetting your hair in the morning if you need it to be damp to style it properly, then wash at night.
Otherwise, it was mainly a case of setting up somewhere dd would be safe and then checking in on her between tasks.
Getting ready before them is easiest, but looks like that's unrealistic for you.

Impose a 'not put your bedroom until 7'. Even if they were up before that they had to play in their rooms. We used stair gates, sticker charts and controlled crying techniques to teach the expectation.

Then I get up and am washed and dressed before them.

They are older now so no stair gates, but they still know that if they wake up they can play in their rooms until 'morning time'

In her bedroom with the baby gate and a tonne of toys and books. I'm the same, I don't feel fresh if I've not had a shower in the morning.

Bowl of dry Cheerios in front of the tv, to keep them going while you get up/do your hair/whatever. You can tell yourself you’re improving their fine motor skills at the same time. Bonus.