Logistics-or-How to Shower With a 15 Month Old

This week I took my first shower while Charlie was awake since he was born. It got me thinking.
I just had some friends post about the complications involved in making it to church with children for Sunday morning. I think the complications are much more widespread than church. In fact, I would go as far as saying that a major part of this mothering job is figuring out how to do life with a child. And it gets complicated. (There is a Charlie involved, people!) When they are first born, you throw out everything but the basics --like how do you shower, or make dinner or go to the grocery store. And then, as they get older, you have to learn how to add back in the important things that shape your life--like time with your husband, knitting or a daily quiet time.

A certain amount of logistical planning is necessary. I tend to be a spontaneous person, so this aspect of things has been quite challenging to me. I can't wing it the way I used to. I'm finding it takes forethought and discipline (to let go of always being able to do things how I want, when I want) to make it all happen. It's important to take snacks and a diaper on outings. They prevent meltdowns. It really helps to remember to put the beans to soak the night before I want to make chili. It is worth it to claw my way out of bed at 6:00 because that's the only time I'm going to get for a quiet time before he wakes up at 6:30 (OK, so far my actions say it is only worth it some days...I'm working on this one still!). The more creative my solutions are, the better life gets.

For me, the logisticating (that is now a word, alright?) started right from the beginning. Charlie-the-newborn would be most alert at 4 am and I was hungry. I figured out that I could make eggs for myself one-handed and he would nestle into the crook of my other arm and drift back to sleep while watching my spatula. (And then I would work hard not to drip egg yolk on his head while I ate.) It worked out great. I loved our early breakfasts together.

But what works out best changes as Charlie changes. I certainly don't make breakfast for myself at 4 am anymore. Today, for instance, I cut up the veggies for dinner while Charlie-the-toddler napped so we could play at the park when he woke up.

There is a definite learning curve to it. I'm discovering new things all the time. And I love it when other moms drop hints about how they've made things work for them.

I may be a little behind the ball here, but until a few days ago, I hadn't figured out how to take a shower while Charlie was awake. I took all my showers when Jonathan could watch him or while he was asleep. (Not really convenient, and I showed up several places in greasy glory just because he didn't take a long enough nap...etc.) But a solution has evolved! And might I add, it is FUN!

Here's our new system: Charlie sits in the bottom of the tub while I shower and plays with his toys.

Then I let the tub fill while I dry off and get dressed. He plays in the tub while I finish getting ready.

Then I wash and dry him.

It does take 45 minutes, but at the end we are both clean and happy!

See? Not impossible to shower with an awake Charlie after all!

Mothers, logistics are your friend!