Where do you put your toddler when you get ready?

[Corporatepreggolady]

Hello all,

I work FT and have an 18 month old. Previously, I could plonk her in a high chair while I showered and dressed, but she's becoming too wiggly and busy for that. So where do I put her?!

• She's awake at 5, so I can't really get ready before she's up
• My DH works early shifts, so he's not around
• It takes me about half an hour to get showered and dressed. Work is a professional gig so I do have to be somewhat suited, booted and made up.

Perhaps some people let their toddlers roam around the same room while they get ready, but mine is just magnetised to me and won't really potter or play alone for long.

The only effective solution I've found is in her cot (safely imprisoned) with my phone playing Miss Rachel 🫣😱 but this feels like bad mummy behaviour.

Any ideas greatly appreciated

I put in the plug and let my toddler play in the shallow water that accumulated at the end of the bath (we had shower over bath). They had a great time and I got showered.

We no longer have shower over bath, we have cubicles, so not sure what I'd do. Probably get them to play on the floor while I shower quickly. The glass is transparent, so I could see them and they could see me, so everyone is reassured that the other is there and okay.

Why not a cot with toys rather than a screen?

Like pp, I shower and wash hair the night before. In the morning I style my hair and do make up, takes about 15 min. I get ready in my en-suite and she potters in thr bathroom or my bedroom, where she plays with toys and books, explores my cosmetics and toiletries, and I sing nursery rhymes. No screen time, I like to have access to my phone and we don't have a TV in the bedroom. By 18m sometimes she'd wander off downstairs and I was fine letting her play unsupervised for short periods.

Baby bjorn bouncer in the bathroom and chat to him while I'm showering. Sometimes he is fine, sometimes he cries but he's safe and he can see me!

Good luck.

Whatever happened the playpen?

I keep a selection of toys and books out of reach in ds bedroom so they feel new and exciting and I give those to him when I need some time to get ready and he either plays with them in his cot or in the same room as me. Because he doesn't usually get them they hold his interest for longer.

I shower at night so in the morning I just need a quick wash.

I also use Miss Rachel, we don't watch very much TV in our house so I don't feel too guilty about ds getting 20/30 minutes screen time some mornings. Different if he was going to be plonked in front of it every day for long periods.

I tend to do what I need to in the bathroom and then I do my makeup and get dressed in his room or bring him into my room then so I'm still able to talk to and engage with him. Sometimes I'll ask him to "help" like can he find mummy's socks/brush/shoes etc or bring in some of his things and can he brush his own hair/ teeth etc. You do what you need to op.

Always had a playpen. Safe and they could have safe toys in there.

Yeah playpen is interesting, we have one but it takes up so much space in the house, it's sort of then cumbersome for the rest of the day ifyswim.

Will try with special morning-only toys and books in her cot. My sense is that this won't hold her attention for long enough, but will try!!

Hi there!
It looks like you’re juggling a lot, and it’s great that you’re seeking solutions. It’s completely normal to struggle with this as your little one becomes more active. Here are a few ideas you might try:
Consider setting up a play area with engaging toys to keep her occupied while you get ready. Sometimes, a new or particularly interesting toy can capture her attention long enough for you to finish your routine. If possible, adjust your morning routine to include activities she enjoys, such as choosing her clothes or brushing her hair.

This can make the time go by quicker.
If you’re using a playpen or cot, make sure it’s safe and that she’s comfortable. You can use a monitor to keep an eye on her while you’re getting ready. Another approach is to break your getting-ready time into shorter bursts. For example, you could get halfway ready, take a short play break, and then quickly finish up.
If your husband can, maybe he could help with the morning routine on some days, even though he works early. Some parents find success with setting up a routine where she has a “special” activity during your getting-ready time, like a new video or interactive game.
It’s totally okay to use whatever works best for both of you. As long as she’s safe and you’re able to get ready for work, you’re doing great.

Thank you everyone again for the helpful inputs. I appreciate. Two days in to my little experiment...

I tried some special (e.g. only mornings) toys and books in her cot yesterday and it was reasonably successful. Held her attention for 10 mins which was enough to shower. Then another 10 mins screen time and I was ready - breaking it up as a PP suggested.

She likes songs/singing/dancing; I think actually that's her favourite thing about Miss Rachel. We have a little portable speaker so I may try broadcasting nursery rhymes while she's in her cot so she can have a little boogie

I used to put DS in the bath (no water) with books while showering though this does need a separate shower set up! Then he’d roam around in my bedroom while getting ready or watch CBeebies for a little bit.