Question for all the moms?!?

Question

I have 2 sons. 1 is going to be 4 in February and the other is 19 days old. I'm having a dilemma that I'm sure someone has the solution to! How in the world do you find time to shower, use the bathroom, fix yourself up, etc.? I mean I do have the time to do it I know, but I am so afraid to leave the children unattended! I can't say "Hey Ashton, keep an eye on the baby while mommy goes to the potty", lol. I am not alone, I'm married, but my hubby works after hours alot. How do you manage to get cleaned up? Somehow I manage to get a shower and brush my teeth everyday, but it's because I get my 3 year old in the shower with me and put baby in his vibrating chair outside the bathroom door so I can still see him. I know there is another way to do this, to actually have some alone time, without my son seeing all of my goods, lol!!! HELP ME MOMS!!!

oh, my son does go to school, he's home with a bad cold for the past 2 days.

Answer 1

Sounds like you are managing, keep up the good work, it will get easier. I have a 9 year old, 5 year old and 9 week old, and I have to do the same thing as my 5 year old,(who is also named Ashtyn, I spell mine with a y!) I have sit on the toilet and sing and talk to my 9 week old while I am in the shower! lol You are not alone and there are alot of us doing the same thing!

Answer 2

It's all fun and games isn't it? The kids can be left unattended while you run to the toilet. Your older boy can be left unattended for short periods, such as when you are showering, though you might not want to leave him unattended with the baby just yet. Pop the baby in his cot, or just do your showering etc when he's asleep. Make sure the house is child friendly, which it probably is by now. I leave my 8 month old in the lounge while I put washing on the line. I can hear her if she cries, and will come racing in if it sounds serious. I used to bring her out with me, but we're in the middle of summer, so I'd rather she stayed out of the sun. You can all give me thumbs down if you want, but I don't realistically think it's possible to keep your eyes on them all day, every day, without going insane. Maybe if you get help from friends or relatives, but not if you don't.
Start taking the kids to playgroup. That's a very helpful way to compare parenting tips etc. I was going to a Steiner playgroup, and they are all very relaxed and non judgemental.
Once you are confident that Ashton knows how to be gentle with the baby, "Hey Ashton, keep an eye on the baby while mommy goes to the potty" is a good idea. I've left the playgroup kids with my baby while I was in the kitchen. They're fine, and if they poke her a bit too hard, she'll yell and I'll come to the rescue! The 3 year olds have never hurt her, but one of the 18 month olds kept trying to put his finger in her mouth and she could only be patient about that for so long, heheh. Kids don't learn to be responsible without room for practise. Show Ashton how to be gentle, and spy on him around corners until you are satisfied that he can be. In another month or so, your baby will be able to handle a few pokes and prods, so you won't need to rush in at the first squark. Then you'll be able to piddle in peace!

Answer 3

I have been fortunate. When I had a newborn and a 19 mo old, I also had a "dressing area" just outside of my bathroom. I would put up a baby gate on the other side, put the baby in the swing or bouncy seat and give the toddler toys and leave the bathroom door open. That way I could hear them and peek around the curtain to check them. Now my oldest are 14 and 13 and can watch the 7y/o,4y/o and 2 mth old while I shower.

Answer 4

Put the baby in his cot so you know he's safe and out of reach, better still, have a shower when he naps after breakfast.

I know its not very pc, but put the tv on for the 3yr old, make sure nothing dangerous is in reach and tell him you are going for a quick shower. Chances are he'll come and find you.

If he's not much of a climber, you could put him in a large playpen for a few minutes while you shower.

Unless both children are asleep, there is no time alone when you are a mother. You can't shut the doors, you have to leave them open so you can hear if there's a problem.

Answer 5

Good job with the seat, that is what I did and it worked. Get something that your son loves, a special book, puzzle, something that he can only play with while you are in the shower and give him that on the floor while you are in the shower.

My son is 3 now and I let him watch his favorite show while I jump in and out quick.

You are doing the best that you can with 2 little ones. My 2 are 16 and 3 and the 16 yr old is never home to help so I do everything in the mini version.

Shower, lotion, dress, dry front of hair put rest in clip, do skincare, do face makeup, then eyeliner and mascara. I may start at 9am and not finish until noon but I get it done.

Every weekend I get a bubble bath to myself. That is my reward for bathing at least 2 days a week with my little one.

You are doing great and congrats on the new baby!

Answer 6

You've just answered your own question. I have a 2 year old and a 7 month old and my 2 year old still has a shower with me and my 7 mo old since he can crawl and sit up now, gets in with us. Its actually quite fun. I know there are times when you wish you could concentrate on yourself for 5 minutes but thats when you have your eldest in front fo the tv and the youngest is taking a nap. Always use the baby monitor and do what you are doing now when they are both awake. I did the same thing with the vibrating papasan chair thing. Tied him down 5 feet from me outside the shower. Good Luck!

Answer 7

You'll get through. We all do somehow. Your husband needs to help you out more. Perhaps, when he gets home from work, you can take your shower in peace. It wouldn't be a bad idea to ask some friends to come over and help you out. I'm sure they would love to see your little baby. Also, can you put your child in a preschool program? Sometimes churches have half day programs that are very affordable. You can get some down time when your little one is sleeping. I wish you well. Keep strong, They will be all grown in a blink of an eye. Enjoy! and Keep well.

Answer 8

Nap time and baby monitors. I used them all the time. Or, I would give the older one a special bath toy,sit in the bathroom with me, and put the infant in his seat and sit him next to the tub, and take a quick shower....I would sometimes only get away with a quick wash,until bed time, and all the creatures were asleep, then it was mommy time. As for getting fixed up, same thing goes with the special toy and baby seat...they would sit in my room, with me, and we would do mommies hair and makeup..sometimes, I had to do it twice, but they always loved to brush my hair and hang out in mom and dads room.
It is difficult, but, it can be done. You just need to learn to take the time you have. When they are napping, don't clean the house,take care of your needs. Read a book, relax in a bath, talk on the phone. My mother said the house cleaning can be a game with the kids, and I should always take MY time when I could. It worked, my boys are full grown, and living on their own, my husband still loves me, and my house is now clean.,,mostly.,,lol

Answer 9

I get up early in the morning when my husband is still home, before he goes to work, and I get in a quick shower and get dressed before he heads out. If I feel like sleeping in, because my son is still sleeping, then I will just try to fit it in sometime. I used to put him in his bouncy seat and set him in the hall in front of the opened bathroom door and take a quick 3 minute shower. :o) You do what you can, when you can.

Answer 10

When my first was a baby I took him in the bathroom with me.....in his bouncy chair....when he got older--the walking stage I took him with me...we showered together. Ask a friend to come over...now I know thats goona be a lot but doing what u'r doing is probably the best way