• My Morning Routine With A Toddler

     

    Step #1:

    Get a shower before toddler wakes up.

    Unless your toddler senses you are awake with his special Mommy Radar. Then, you have to go in and attempt to get him back to sleep for at least 15 minutes. When that fails, scoop him up and carry him to the living room. Snuggle in the recliner until he will let you up without screaming. Then make him a sippy cup and turn on Peppa Pig.

    Now you can take that shower.

    Be sure to leave the bathroom door open so that you can sort of hear over the sound of rushing water. Also, scoop up anything he could get hurt or make a mess with in the bathroom and dump it in the sink, so he can’t reach it when he comes in looking for you.

    Finally, be prepared for interruptions in the form of chubby little hands yanking back the shower curtain to yell “MOMMY! I FOUND YOU!”

    Step #2

    Get dressed before the cartoon show is over.

    Silently curse yourself for forgetting to put your bra on first as your toddler (weaning) wanders down the hallway and suddenly realizes that he wants to nurse.

    Here you have some choice: You can sit on the bed and let him nurse while wondering how much time you have left to get everything done… or you can tell him no and deal with the meltdown that will surely

    Attempt to end the meltdown or nursing session by mentioning that you will make oatmeal.

    Step #3

    Make breakfast.

    Start making oatmeal in the kitchen with a toddler on your heels happily chatting about oatmeal.  By the time the oatmeal is cooking, your toddler will be stomping his feet with tears in his eyes. Why isn’t the oatmeal ready now?

    It takes twice as long because the oatmeal must cool off before you can give it to him. Deal with the meltdown after you thrust the oatmeal into the freezer.

    Glance at the kitchen clock and realize that you have 30 minutes left before you need to be walking out the door.

    Step #4

    Eat breakfast.

    Shovel oatmeal into your mouth as if speed eating is your second job. Clean up the toddler who is wearing just as much oatmeal as he has eaten.

    Thankfully, this part doesn’t take too long since he likes to eat. The cleaning part is a bit like giving a bath to a cat though.

    Step #5

    Dress Toddler.

    First you must try to convince the toddler to come with you. Then, when that fails, you carry him kicking down the hallway to the clothes laid out the night before.

    Then, you have to dress the toddler. First, you must wrestle him into position as if you were tussling with an alligator.

    After he wiggles off the bed, chase him down the hallway with socks on your hands while he giggles.

    When you catch him you have to pretend the socks are dinosaurs before he will agree to wear them.

    Step #6

    Pack Lunches.

    This part should be easy, except that you just realized your 30 minutes is up and you need to be walking out the door right now. Looks like you’ll be buying your lunches instead, so much for saving money by brown bagging it.

    Step #7

    Say Goodbye.

    After the caregiver has arrived, get a big kiss from your feisty toddler who says “Mommy I love you.” And leave for work, late, but smiling.

    Written by: Sara Parise



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