monkeytoes
22-08-2008, 13:50
OK, so I've got a 2 year old and a 6 month old. My problem is shower/bath time. I have always showered with DD1 and she has always enjoyed it. It has now turned out to be the worst part of the day. Every day now it ends with both kids in tears and a very stressed out Mummy.
When DD2 was a newborn we were still able to have our shower together while bub was asleep. Now that bub is a bit older, she is awake at shower time. It's the time of day that bub wants to be held. I've tried putting her in the rocker/on the floor with toys/in the hi-chair, in the jolly jumper. She is only about 3 metres away from me and she can see me, but it doesn't make any difference. She crys as soon as I put her down. This then makes my 2yr old upset. I'm not sure if she's upset because she thinks bub is distressed or if she's upset because she thinks bub is taking all the attention. My 2 yr old ends up hysterical.
So, the obvious answer is to change the routine, but I can't really. To fit in with our other activities and bedtime, shower time needs to be inbetween 5pm-6:30pm. I have tried ignoring my 2yr old, singing happy songs, but it's at the point where we all tense up just at the thought of shower time. And it's no different if I give DD1 a bath either, it still ends up in tears.
I feel like there's nothing I can do about my 6 month old. She will get over this clingy stage when she's ready. I'm not sure how to deal with my 2yr old. I've tried explaining to her that bub is OK and not to get upset. Does it sound like a jealous toddler trying to get attention. Tell me what would you do?
When DD2 was a newborn we were still able to have our shower together while bub was asleep. Now that bub is a bit older, she is awake at shower time. It's the time of day that bub wants to be held. I've tried putting her in the rocker/on the floor with toys/in the hi-chair, in the jolly jumper. She is only about 3 metres away from me and she can see me, but it doesn't make any difference. She crys as soon as I put her down. This then makes my 2yr old upset. I'm not sure if she's upset because she thinks bub is distressed or if she's upset because she thinks bub is taking all the attention. My 2 yr old ends up hysterical.
So, the obvious answer is to change the routine, but I can't really. To fit in with our other activities and bedtime, shower time needs to be inbetween 5pm-6:30pm. I have tried ignoring my 2yr old, singing happy songs, but it's at the point where we all tense up just at the thought of shower time. And it's no different if I give DD1 a bath either, it still ends up in tears.
I feel like there's nothing I can do about my 6 month old. She will get over this clingy stage when she's ready. I'm not sure how to deal with my 2yr old. I've tried explaining to her that bub is OK and not to get upset. Does it sound like a jealous toddler trying to get attention. Tell me what would you do?