Alone in the bathroom

I saw a post the other day from a mom with toddlers and little kids complaining about never getting to go to the bathroom by herself.

I giggled, remembering those days when the girls were tiny and all the times I wished I just had 15 minutes to myself to take a shower or a bath ... alone! But then as I sat smiling, it hit me, "Wait a minute! What am I thinking? I still don't get the bathroom to myself and my girls are nowhere near toddler age."

It's true. To all you young moms with little ones, if you have girls and don't have your own master bath, you will be sharing with them until the day they leave for college. Things really aren't a whole lot different than when they were toddlers. I still don't get to shower until late at night and if I do, I have to hurry because either they need in there to brush their teeth or get ready for bed or whatever.

And speaking of showers, you young moms should be thankful that your showers still include hot water. I never had to fight for hot water when they were little. Threw them all in the tub one right after another or together and water temperature was never a luxury I had to pine for. I'm over 40 now, I can't rush through a shower or I might lose my balance and throw my back out. And as far as a nice, relaxing bath ... psshhh, never happens.

I'd literally have to leave work and come home in the middle of the afternoon if I ever wanted to take a long, hot bath with no interruptions. Or maybe in the middle of the night, which then I'd probably fall asleep and drown. When they were little, a relaxing and uninterrupted bath was probably a once a month deal after they were all tucked in bed, but not anymore. Someone either needs to get their jeans for school out of the hamper or someone is asking me where the phone chargers are or if they can have a Pop Tart for a bedtime snack and so on...

Which basically means I still don't get any privacy unless I lock the door, and if I do lock the door, they stand outside and knock and ask me when I think I might be done. The still stand out in the hall waiting, just like when they were babies, they just don't cry anymore or yell "Mommy!" So most the time, unless I've had enough, I just leave the door unlocked or cracked open, which is just the same as when they were younger. They barge in on me like I'm not even there and they have conversations with me when I'm going the bathroom or when I'm standing in the shower with water drenching my head and ears, and having soap creeping into my eyes.

They ask me my opinions on their outfit choice or fill me in on the latest school drama, which I enjoy the interaction but would prefer it be when I am fully dressed and can open my eyes without them stinging. Back in the old days, I could just give them a toy and they'd sit on the rug waiting for me to finish. But they still leave the door open like they used to. Walk in, get something or ask me something, then walk out, leaving the door wide open for God and everyone to see. I yell but all I get is a distant, "Sorry!" and then there I am, too far to reach the door to close it.

See, the whole bathroom privacy concept is basically the same after all these years. The details have changed a little but overall, same issue. So, for all the young moms out there who have girls, I'm here to tell ya, either build yourself a master bath or plan on things never improving when it comes to the bathroom. Just make sure you shower first if you want hot water!