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Shower Time = Vacation Time!
Tuesday, September 06, 2011 by Jeannie Fleming-Gifford
We have some good friends that refer to shower time as vacation time. If you are a new parent, you probably understand. Physically caring for a little one, you may struggle to find a few minutes for yourself, even to simply take a shower.
If you're lucky, you've got other support - friends, family, etc., who are with you in those early weeks and months. Let's face it though, at some point, it may be just you and your little one. Together, you've got to figure out how to make it work.
My family doesn't live too close so the week after coming home from the hospital, the hubby returned to work and me and the munchkin were flying solo. In my life, a good shower is a neccessity, it's just like a good cup of java. I need it to function.
A while back, I wrote the blog below. Folks seemed to dig it. Like me, they need their showers too. The other day, I was talking to a new mama who was seeking a shower in her life too. I dug up this blog and throught you new mamas (and daddies) out there might need this advice too.
It's the "developmentally appropriate shower."
It all started the week I brought her home from the hospital. It started with the vibrating bouncy seat. Thank God for that creation. One of the best inventions ever. The vibrating chair, bright lights, bubbles and pretend fish are enough to mesmerize most infants for a few minutes (given that they are fed and changed before being put in such a contraption). Then we moved to the portable infant swing. It had music and a mirror attached to it. Perfect for seeing herself. Of course, both of the above were accompanied by my singing in the shower and a few games of peek-a-boo from around the shower curtain. All were happy.
As time went on (too quickly, it seems), she wanted to sit-up and move around. She wanted to see what else was going on. Although not recommended by most pediatricians, I rebelled and found a gently used walker at a garage sale. With the help of a few different toys each day, I was able to schedule my daily "vacation." I should also mention that the use of my walker works well in my house which is void of staircases (the number one reason walkers have become a big no-no. Safety issues.). I would also shut the door to the bathroom as to be able to keep one eye on the munchkin while also scrub-a-dub dubbing.
Soon enough though, the glamour wore off (for her, not me...I still dig a hot shower every day). The toys began coming into the shower, tossed in one by one. Next up, stickers (my munchkin was past the "eating them" phase). Those worked well until the day the walker was covered with them. There was nothing else to sticker.
Next up, came the use of the pack and play and an introduction to "Sesame Street." With her in view and some silly puppets, songs and enough education content that makes me feel a-okay with television, I'm still enjoying my daily 10 minute vacation.
See, showers can be good for you and even support the growth and development of your little one. 
Enjoy your "vacation."
