So yesterday, because of the power outage, I didn't get a shower before DH had to leave for work. I was feeling grungy and crabby because of it, so when linebacker baby went down for a nap (after the power came back on), I decided to take little one and her toys into the bathroom so she could play in there under my supervision (we have a sort of clear but frosted-patterned shower curtain now) while I got clean.
She wasn't too keen on the idea of being shut (and locked, since she can open doors now) in the bathroom with me, but I wanted that damned shower, and I couldn't have her running all over the apartment without me there with her, so it was my only option if I wanted to get un-icky anytime before 9pm, when DH gets home.
I explained to her what we were doing and why, and showed her every step ("Now I'm turning the water on, just like I do for your bath time, except it comes out like rain. Do you want to put your hand under the spray and feel it?" etc.) so she wouldn't get anxious about being in the room with the loud water or anything. Eventually, I stepped into the shower and drew the curtain closed, leaving her to play on the mat.
I watched her out of the corner of my (granted, nearly blind) eye -- I could make out her shape through the curtain even with my limited vision, enough to ascertain that she wasn't near the toilet or anything potentially troublesome -- as I lathered up my hair. I did close my eyes to rinse.
When I opened them, her little head was peeking in around the corner of the curtain.
"I get nakie like Mommy, get in shower too?" she questioned. (This is the child who, six months ago, screamed bloody murder and bit me when I tried to get her to shower with me just to show her what it was like and that it wasn't scary.)
"Uh...okay, I guess so," I told her. I helped her out of her shirt, she dropped the rest of her clothes (including her thankfully clean diaper) into the pile with mine, and climbed into the far end of the tub.
Well, wouldn't you know that little girl loved every second of it? I couldn't really wash her, since her soap/shampoo is tear-free but in the other bathroom, and mine is decidedly not eye-friendly, but she had a blast washing my legs with my bath pouf and just splashing around (slow drain; there's almost always an inch or so of water in the tub while I shower).
I didn't think too much more on it after we got out, but then this morning, when I left the baby in DH's arms and went to get my shower, I heard a little voice pipe up behind me:
"I go shower with Mommy too!"
[groan]
My showers...my sanctuary...my quiet, slow and soapy haven...invaded by an almost-three-year-old with giggles and stomping splashy dancing...
I've created a monster!
the_infernal_optimist posted on May 10, 2008
| views: 175
Comments
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D6fer said on May 10, 2008....
Enjoy these times.....you're gonna miss this! -
Zayda said on May 10, 2008....
LOL.
The same thing happened with my husband and the little man one day. Then the little man became obsessed with showers. Now, he won't take a bath, except on the very rare occasion. Of course now that he is almost seven, he showers by himself. -
Mr_Box said on May 10, 2008....
Ah...yes, shower sanctuary time has be altered forever. Harper used to take showers with my wife a lot too.She thought it was like being at a water park and actually preferred that over a bath. It was like playing in the rain and she had a blast.Eventually my wife wanted her showers back and we would let Harper take her own shower instead. It solved the problem nicely.In fact, any time she was bored and we couldn't entertain her, we'd just tell her to go take a shower. She loved it! -
silverwhisper said on May 10, 2008....
o jeez, infernal, that's so funny! but hey, look at it this way: if you're gonna create a monster about anything, at least it's something good like hygiene, right? :>
ed -
diabolicdame said on May 10, 2008....
Oh that is so cute of her! I can imagine how much fun it must be for her.. splashing away! Sucks for you a little though.. haha.. you might grow into it though.. your together time. :-) -
Lucytorial said on May 10, 2008....
oh god noooooooo my sister went through the same thing... good lord, she use to have a friend come over to distract them so she could have a shower by herself...
remember it won't last too long... ohh god, the one place where you can find sanctity as a mother.... infernal... I am crossing everything that linebacker baby lets you shower in peace soon, like very soon!
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evil_twin said on May 10, 2008....
That's cute! But I can definitely see why you don't want her joining you in the shower every single time. That's the only time you ever get to yourself! Do you think she'd go in there without you instead? Or do you think she'd be afraid? Because I'd probably tell her that you're getting a shower first, then she can go in when you're done. Maybe that'd work?
-Kyle
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queenparanoia said on May 10, 2008....
lol... well do you have a bathtb? can you use it your sanctuary then? lol... =) -
the_infernal_optimist said on May 10, 2008....
D6: You're so right. And she's really very cute about it...I never could resist making her happy. :)
Zayda: I'm glad it's not just me! But darnit, my showers were mine! :-p
Jaxl: Now that's a good trick, getting her to go play in the shower! I know I've got a while yet before I can do that, but it's nice to know I might eventually be able to turn this to my advantage. ;-)
ed: That's true...I'm glad she's in love with the shower over a lot of other things! But she still gets clean every night in the tub with her brother, so the shower is kind of an extra...she's going to be the cleanest almost-3yo on the planet! I have friends whose kids still protest any form of getting clean. :-D
dia: You know, it's funny that you said that about together time, because I was *just* telling DH the other night that I felt bad that little one and I don't get much one-on-one time now since the baby is always around too. I guess I made that sound more like a wish than I realized, and then I got it! ;-)
Lucy: Ah, you get it! It is my last refuge...but I'm sure I'll sneak at least one shower per weekend by myself or something, maybe sneak in a second shower at night when she's in bed now and then, just for some peace and alone time.
Kyle: That's a good idea, about showering by myself and then letting her go in with me waiting outside the tub or something...I'm not sure if she'd go for that yet or not, but it'd at least let me get clean without company around my legs. I might have to try that! :)
queenie: If I tried to take a regular bath, I'd have both kids wanting to get in with me! :-D Linebacker baby tries to throw himself into the tub every time I run the water for their bath, before I can even get him undressed. ;-) My kids are just water babies. :) They have both always loved it.
~Infernal
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wishyouwerehere said on May 11, 2008....
Your water babies sound so adorable! I am sorry that your sanctuary has been invaded - maybe the charm will wear off quickly! -
ShowingJ said on May 11, 2008....
Just remember when the time comes: DO NOT invite her into the hot bath with candles and offer her a glass of wine. -
diabolicdame said on May 11, 2008....
haha.. I guess we really should be careful what we wish for! :-D -
lookingformore said on May 12, 2008....
Adorable!! I love it. I know you aren't thrilled though. My daughter is 18 months old, I have these times to look forward to. This too shall pass. Thanks for the cute post, it made me smile.
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