[cantwait2bmommy]

Dh and I visited Anthony for the first time week before last. We are a great team and took turns taking care of Anthony while the other got things done. We are planning another visit and dh can only be with me part of the time. How the heck do you get anything done when you are by yourself? If I wait for naptime to shower we may never make it out of the apartment. Yes, yes, yes, I am a pathetic, clueless new mom. Please help me survive and enjoy my next visit trip.

TIA!
Chris

[tinaedmond]

What we used to do was put our child in her crib with a bottle. If your child is old enough to hold the bottle independently by your next trip, that could work for you as well. By the time she was done with the bottle, I was done with the shower!

Tina

[KDhappygal]

When my girls were younger (before they could work door locks) I would bring some toys into the bathroom and lock them in with me. This was at home and our master bathroom is a good size and open to the bedroom area but I would probably do the same in a smaller space.

If your son isn't that mobile, bringing him into the bathroom would work well. If he is really mobile and into all sorts of things, put him in his stroller with a snack or some toys and wheel that into the bathroom with you.

[lisainatlanta]

OHHH how I remember those days!!!

EXERSAUCER!!!!!!!! in the bathroom with me!!!

[mamaskoby]

I used to wonder the same thing before I became a mom! Now I know you take advantage of every minute the child is entertained, maybe you could bring a playmat for the floor with the hanging toys? And yes, your showers will now be much shorter since you are a mom! lol!
I still miss those premom days when I could get in the shower and enjoy it!!! Sigh!....
When the child is older and can move around by himself then its even harder to leave them alone for a minute!
Enjoy your new experience and congratulations!!
Anna

[KKR213]

As a single mother and when my son was little I would bring his exersaucer or bouncy chain in the bathroom and let him play. And take very fast showers! Now that he is older, he will sit in my bedroom (attached to bathroom) and read books or watch tv.

Good luck and don't worry you will figure it all out!!

[bls0708]

I have been to visit my son three times now, and each time the situation changes because of his developmental stage. The first time I visited, he slept a lot and I had a friend with me. Getting things done didn't seem to be an issue.

The second time I went alone. Aidan wasn't rolling over yet, so I was able to leave him on the king size bed with the pillows outlining the edge of the bed. I took my baths (not showers, because I was afraid of not being able to hear him) first thing in the morning when he was happiest and most content to play with his toys.

The third time I was also alone. This time, though, Aidan was rolling, crawling, and standing while holding onto things. Much different than the last trip. He could not be left to his own devices on the bed or even in the crib for that matter. First thing every morning I fed him a bottle, put him in his stroller, and gave him a biter biscuit to eat, and pulled his stroller to the bathroom door. He was happy to chomp away and wait for me to be done. He wasn't happy if he couldn't see me, though.

Creativity (and safety) is the key. It will all work out just fine. I was exhausted, but wouldn't trade any of those visits for anything. Good luck on your next visit!

[SKL]

May God forgive me, on day 3 I used the TV!

My younger daughter slept little during the day and wanted constant attention or she would cry. The bouncy chair (on vibrate mode, with lots of toys attached) worked if she was sleepy (or just long enough for me to feed and change the older baby), but by day 3 she was done with that. Her foster mom had said she likes TV so I gave it a try. It worked!

I figure a few minutes of TV is a lot better than no shower for mommy!

[keithandkristy]

I've used three things (and still do this from time to time)... exersaucer in bathroom, booster seat on floor so they can eat a snack while I shower, and/or they play in the pack-n-play. The pack-n-play is in our bedroom, but with the bathroom door open I can see them.

Honestly, I have found that if I want to shower in peace and take my time, I have to get up wee early in the morning and take it before they wake up for the day. Or, wait for nap time.

[annaguat]

I would take a porta crib and put the baby in there. If need be I would turn the TV on too or drag the porta crib to the bathroom door so baby can see me. When the baby is old enough you can also co-shower. If you do not like that can you shower when he is sleeping and then just wet your hair in the morning? Have a wonderful visit trip. Anna

[DD Amasa]

At home I put him in his playpen with some favorite toys and books. Traveling, I use the crib, also with some favorite toys. He might fuss a bit at first but he'll learn to entertain himself and use his imagination to explore his toys and books while you're out of the room. I'm a single mom so I got my son used to this from the beginning or nothing would ever get done.

Good luck.

[daynesmom]

I'm one who waits for naptime. DS goes down for his first nap between 9 and 9:30, then I shower.

Otherwise I wait until he goes down for the night. Then in the morning I usually just wet my hair in the sink.

[Candace3]

exersaucer, bouncy or just a blanket on the floor in the bathroom. if they start to cry play peek a boo and finish your shower asap! =)

[JustBarbara]

Well, let's see - on my visit and pu trip I was on my own (well, I am a single mom). I would put him in his baby bathtub in the bathroom and give him his bottle JUST before I jumped in the shower. Growing up in a family of seven my Dad would tell us to take three minute showers so we could all have a hot shower and conserve water.

Who knew I would "use" that info years later ... thank you Dad!

Now DS is 14 months and pretty mobile so he comes into the bathroom with me (and I shut the door) ... I shower quickly (if he would just stop opening up the shower curtain) ... he tosses his bathtoys into the bath/shower ... and then I turn the shower off and (sweetly) whine "where's my towel" ... he used to just point at it ... but NOW I have learned another whine "I want my towel" and yes, DS actually HANDS it to me and then I quickly dry off and announce proudly "Mommy did it" and he puts down his toys and gives me a round of applause. Seriously, folks this is how I train my little helper and he loves it - or so I'm led to believe Good luck - Barbara

[yellowdog]

Here's mine: When she was first home and able to sit up I put her in an empty clothesbasket with some toys in the bathroom. Exersaucer works ok too but my space was too small for that.

Good luck!

Shelly
mom to Lily
dob 4-2-04
home 11-17-04

waiting for Hayden
dob 3-15-07