My son is almost 7-months old. My husband works in Iraq, so I essentially function as a single mom. I used to rely on the bouncer to take a shower. Now I rely on his Baby Einstein videos. He loves them. Until now, I've been able to strap him in his bouncer in front of the tv (without the toys on it) to take a shower. Now he thinks he's not a baby and shouldn't have to lay back in the bouncer chair. He pulls himself up to sitting up straight. I'm afraid he'll lean too far forward and flip the chair over. Do they make some kind of other chair I can strap him into and know he's going to be safe in while he watches his video and I shower? He doesn't like his Bumbo, so that's not an option. I was thinking of using his high chair, but I hate to do that. I have to have something I can strap him into and know he won't fall out of. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I was going to try to shower while he napped, but we had some nap problems this morning. I ended up putting his jumperoo in front of the tv and put a Baby Einstein DVD on. I don't think he played with the toys on the jumperoo at all. I think he just stood there watching tv. I was able to shower and get dressed before he started crying. Then I just have to give him attention for a bit longer before he was ok again and I could go fix my hair and finish getting ready. Thanks for all of the suggestions!
I agree with the exersaucer. My sister has her 9 month old in it when she takes a shower and she says it works well.
Right now with my 10 month old, she isn't crawling yet, it works well to put toys in front of her in front of the shower. I am aware this won't work well for long. I am considering showering her when I shower myself.
I used to put my son in the excersaucer about that age, he loved those videos and that's when I got my shower time.
I used the excersaucer at the point that the bouncy seat didn't work. I toted it into the bathroom with me, or I had a little audio only monitor that I moved around as needed and would set it up to take the monitor into the bathroom. Once he outgrew the excersaucer and could climb out of it I was stuck showering at nap and bedtime only. That will come before you know it. I wish now that I had gotten the combination one that was like an excersaucer but they can jump in too. That one would have lasted longer for mine. My husband is also gone a lot, and I am pretty much a single mom about 75% of the time. So I know how tough it is. When my hubby is home I take showers in the middle of the day just because I can! We have to get pretty creative when we can only count on ourselves. Best of luck to you!
I remember when my DD was too big for her chairs and too big for her bouncer and I had no idea how to take a shower too! I used to try to get up early and sneak in, or if I had to wait till her nap time (I stay home so usually not a problem). I dont think that your son is too big for a jumper thing though, why not bring that into the bathroom w/ you and he can bounce around. I am not talking about the one that goes in the door frame, but the one that is stationary and they have different toys on it and can move in a circle from station to station, that is what I used. Once she became too big for that I got the best advice: I put toys in the bathroom (she was then walking) and I got a clear shower curtain so we could both see each other and she plays while I shower. we still do this and it has been fablous! yeah I get no privacy, but she is 18 mo so it is not a big deal. good luck!
Stacie, as the mother of 5 I have to say good for you for being a responsible and strong parent. When my husband was in the Air Force he would be deployed for a year at a time and it was hard being both parents. I do have 2 suggestions 1about how to prepare for daddy's return
Have you heard of Johnny Jump ups? You were mostlikely in one yourself as a child. My children and grandchildren just love it. It is a seat that hangs from the top of a doorway or for us the entrance to the front room and kitchen. They can be raised or lowered so that child bounces with his feet to move around. Our 1 year old has been in it since 6 months and just loves it esp. when we push it slightly so she can swing!!
The other suggestion is take some sandpaper and glue it to a picture of your husband's face. When my 16 month old had Daddy come home he had never felt wiskers and they scared him and he'd cry when he saw dad shave because he thought he was being hurt by the shaving cream. There are lots of things that are different about dad's and you might think about ways to help both of them be able to transition to being together-- becasue you will be the common factor! I really admire you and I hope that your husband is safe.
God Bless, Nana Glenda
I use my high chair. I put a couple toys on the tray and turn on his favorite video or PBS cartoon. He loves it because he can lean back to watch the movie or sit forward to play and I know he won't fall out. Mine is a little older now, so I put snacks on his tray also, but at 7 months I don't know that I would trust him to have Cheerios or Puffs while I wasn't in the room.
My son goes into a play pen. I also use an exersaucer.
Get a pack and play then he can move around some.
You might want to try a summer infant super seat. it has saftey straps and removable toys. It actually can serve may functions, as long as he can sit up he should fit just fine! http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3247729
Do you have an exersaucer? I used mine mainly for shower/cooking times when I needed to have my kids restrained.
Put him in a playpen. He will be safe and he can still watch his video.
How about an exersaucer or jumperoo?
I used an exosaucer. The round play thing with toys around it. My son could stand in it barely or just simply sit. He refused to be strapped into anything. It saved my life and personal hygiene! After he got used to the high chair and I knew he was comfortable with it, he did sit in that. My hair chair lowered so falling over wasn't an issue.
You could put him in his crib with books and toys to look at. At least you know he'll be safe while you shower.
How about putting him in an exersaucer, or a pack-n-play or in his crib with some toys? Personally I went for the pack-n-play and still use it now and my daughter is 20 months. She keeps busy with her toys and I get in a shower.
I hop in the shower while my daughter (10 months) naps and bring the monitor in the bathroom. If she isn't napping then I bring the exersaucer or pack and play in the bathroom while I shower and she can play, plus I can watch her. She stays in there while I get dressed and fix my hari with no problems. Good luck!!
If you aren't consticted to a particular time to shower,why not wait until he is asleep?
