Shower Power
October 12, 2009 by nina
Filed under Mommy Monday
Back in April, I wrote about Kali’s reluctance to bathe. It wasn’t that she liked being dirty and/or smelly, she just had better things to do. She refused to slow down long enough to bathe because she would miss something happening downstairs, on TV, or outside the window. Why slow down to bathe when there were shows to watch, books to read, and video games to play? In short, she had shit to do.
But then Jack came along, outgrew his baby tub (sorry, Amy), and he became fascinated with standing by the side of the tub in the master bathroom as Kali was forced to take her nightly bath. Well, what really fascinated him was tossing objects in the tub, laughing as his sister squealed and ducked flying dirty underwear, toothpaste tubes, and hand towels, before Donny or I would drag him out of there. When he started stripping off his diaper and trying to climb in the tub with her, we realized we could kill several dirty birds with one stone – if we let him in the tub with Kali they’d both bathe, we’d get at least fifteen minutes of quiet time, and Kali wouldn’t get beaned with toilet paper rolls. Win/win/win. What we didn’t count on was Jack now tossing everything IN the tub out, and getting the floor soaking wet in the process.
Kali, sick of cleaning up after her brother and the responsibility of cleaning the tub before and after bathing, decided that she was finally ready to take her first shower. I helped her prepare by showing her how to adjust the temperature and stream of the water. I showed her how I usually draped my towel over the door so it’s ready when I’m done and told her where she could hang her loofah after she bathed. And, we were off…
Her first shower lasted 15 minutes, the second lasted 20. We are now at the point where I have to go looking for her to make sure she hasn’t drowned.
“Oh, Mommy! It’s so awesome! When you turn your back to the water it feels soooo good!”
I have created a monster. Albeit a very clean one, but a monster all the same. A monster that apparently doesn’t understand water bills or the concept of “using up all the hot water.” I find myself having to time my own showers around her schedule for, you see, she likes using my shower because it has a cool frosted door and resembles something out of an amusment park. Her own shower, by comparison, was too old school with its plastic shower liner and blue cloth curtain. Don’t ask me how one who just discovered the joys of a hot shower can be so damn picky.
But, I guess, I shouldn’t complain. My child finally, without having to be bribed or harassed, regularly, and enthusiastically washes her ass.
Nina is a 34-year-old mother, wife and writer who spends her days blogging, studying, changing diapers and watching ridiculous amounts of TV. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two children and three TiVos.
I remember loving the transition to shower.... meant I didnt have to share the dirty bathwater... we lived on a farm and water was scarce, so we HAD to share the bath water, but when it was that time of month for me... I got a shower!!! yay....
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Likemy girls like showers, but love baths. they usually take showers because they are quicker and bath time isn't turned into a 2 hour marathon. so, when given the choice they always opt for a bath and then drag all of their play stuff in there.
my son still goes into the bathroom with whoever is in there and throws things into the tub, stands by the side and peeks over the curtain letting water splash everywhere and he just turned 2.
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LikeHe gets real upset when Kali turns on the shower. I think he's offended that she's not bathing with him anymore. I may have to insist on a few sibling baths a week. It really does give me a break because when they bathe together she cleans him.
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Likeahhh that's so sweet of her...
anytime the kids are in the bathroom I have to be close by especially when my son is in there. we moved into our new house in April and he has clogged the toilet in the main bathroom 4 times since then.
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LikeI always thought kids showered with their parents before showering on their own. Not being ooky or odd.....Really, Kali never showered with you before? Well, here's to clean kids.
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LikeShe tried once. She cowered in the corner the whole time like it was spraying acid.
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Likeokay, I feel like there is this big blank spot in my reality because I can't remember the transition from bath to shower!
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LikeNeither can I! It's bugging me.
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LikeI remember when I first started taking showers, and I felt like such a grown up. I specifically remember going outside to do yardwork with my mom, and then after being stinky saying, "I have to go take my shower." Now, I still love taking showers, but especially at my boyfriends house because he has the showerhead that hangs over your head, and then 4 nozzles that shoot at the body. LOVE IT!
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LikeI love me some showers...HATE bath..never understood those.
At least shes clean now..:)
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LikeLOL! Im picky with my showers but I only have one bathroom so I have to take it if not Id be good to go with so many choices. Im glad shes discovered the joys of a shower! WOOO GO KALI!
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Likeso im assuming that Jack no longer uses the tub with her??
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Likefirst off...i knew when i bought that tub it wouldnt last long but it was soooo cute i had to get it anyway...just bronze it or something ;)
um...does the shower have a shower massage thingy? all of ours do and once Deijah took 4 showers in one day...when i quizzed her about it she finally admitting REALLY liking the ability to use the sprayer wherever she wanted...
i didnt freak out but i did explain to her that she could hurt herself and she seems to be over it now...
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LikeAlanna loved throwing everything in the tub when I was in there as well. She does this even if I'm showering - she comes in, pulls the curtain to the side and throws her stuff in. Then says "uh oh" which is Alanna-speak for "mom - get that." Of course, with the curtain pulled back, both she and the bathroom floor get a good soaking - which wouldn't be a huge issue except for the fact that the tile is partially removed because we are mid-renovation. Ah, good times.
I wish you the best of luck on taming the shower beast. Or at least being lucky enough for her to receive a "green environment" lecture/class soon to help reinforce the water-waste issue. Sharing of hot water though - good luck. Let me know if you find something that works ;)
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