Not sure if you're actually looking for advice, but it's definitely worth getting a playard of some kind as a "yes space" for these and other scenarios, or be able to babyproof a room to the point where if you got locked out of the house with the kid inside, you wouldn't be as frantic to get back in. We did it a lot of encouraging independent play as well.
Also, I really, really want to poop by myself even after having kids!
I think a good general rule of thumb is if it's something that annoys you, your kid will be low key obsessed with it, lol. I don't let my kids follow me into the bathroom and always lock the door, but my husband has a harder time setting boundaries, so...
😅😂😅So funny, so accurate! The iPad/phone shows/games help …while sitting on the bathroom floor. And lots of “my turn to go potty” …not making it negative, but encouraging personal space! LOL
This letter will have him rolling on the floor someday! You’re the best at details. Marc! 😂😆
I'm struggling to decide if I actually want to posit this desperation move as "advice", but since you were so gracious with your share, here goes nothin'! My husband was gone much of the first three years of my daughter's life, so there was a lot of survival ingenuity in my house. At no point in those years do you want to be in the bathroom without your eyes on those little buggers for more than 20 seconds, and that is barely enough time to pee, so I would turn my own bathroom time in to reading time. She had a little bean bag and a box of books in the bathroom and everything. I have done quite the Dr. Seuss rendition from the toilet, thank you very much. It usually means you are actually stuck in the bathroom far longer than you want to be, but God made air freshener for a reason. Good luck!
A reading corner in the bathroom? This is an amazing idea. No more rushing for dear life. Great idea, Jess! 2 for one special. Empty bowel and practicing some reading skills. Brilliant!
So I didn't find myself in this situation often because when the babies were home from daycare there were often other people around in those early days, but the crib (before they could climb out of it) and the stroller (with it's wheels locked, INSIDE the house obviously, and the 5 point harness on) plus a video were my go to if I was truly desperate.
It's hard, man. They don't leave you even for a second.
Talk about prep. The 5 point harness was so key. Once kn his high chair I forgot and he almost fell but I caught him by the hems of his onesie. Never forgot to strap him in after that.
At a certain point they get too strong too… like, you’re worried that even with the harness, they’re just gonna knock the whole thing over with themselves in it…
Unfortunately in the early days of 12 months and under I did a lot of holding a baby while I was on the toilet. It was not easy but sometimes there is no time to plan. There were a lot of tears.
I think the crying came from the overwhelming new reality of parenthood that you may not have any space or time for yourself even if you really want it for basic instinct things. We take for granted that pooping, eating a meal, or taking a shower aren’t guaranteed things to do alone or undisturbed anymore.
I swear Marc… EVERY SINGLE LINE I was laughing and trying to contain myself, especially from commenting directly!!!
What a great Monday post full of Sun, like the one shining in the sky, same as the one I’ve been starting to fully live in my own life that is being co-created and materialize. Thank you for being another source of energy.
🌅
I honor always your work through your wording about your very own magical, energetic, very young life, you and your Myles are experiencing in your boys adventures (and troubles along the way 😂❤️)
Yup, personal time and personal space do not belong to the parent of a 1 year old. 🤣 I remember those days. Sometimes I would hold my son on my lap while I sat. I had no choice. We got to talk and hang out and I was able to take care of my needs. It's not always easy, but having a sense of humor helps! Plus, it's temporary.
I think the answer to 1 is you can’t poop by yourself, it’s not possible. So relatable! OMG trying to fend them off from the toilet brush too, that Matrix clip is spot on. And how they are seemingly not bothered by the stench is beyond me.
Laughed out loud reading this. I'm relieved we do not have a plunger in the second bathroom. Imagine if he got a hold of that and starting swinging - yuck! I love all the innocence they come with. Appreciate you for reading Erik!
Too funny. I've long given up trying to poop in peace and just accepted there will be a baby hanging onto my knees, trying to reach between my legs, every time. The glamour of parent-life.
One of my questions were going to ask about dogs. I hope my wife doesn't see this, but at this age dogs and babies act so similar. He's been crawling in circles lately just like how dogs chase their tails - not sure if that only happens in tv shows lol
My old guy friend has a great, great, granddaughter who was a toddler when he was given an Australian Shepherd mini puppy. The little girl and the little dog constantly played together and seemed to have some kind of psychic connection that allowed them to communicate without words. Their play was hilarious but also extremely complex and interesting. They both seemed to know what the other was thinking.
Jokes aside my sister taught him “privacy” so whenever I say “privacy” he’ll close the door. Sometimes he closes himself inside but most times he’ll give me some space
Quick answer: we don't! Lol and now that my little is potty trained, she wants ALL the privacy when she is pooping. "Go away mommy, go away!" when she wants me out of the bathroom but will gladly stand right in front of me or want to sit on my lap while I'm doing my business complete with a "eww, disgusting mommy! THEN GET OUT!! hahah
🤣🤣🤣
Not sure if you're actually looking for advice, but it's definitely worth getting a playard of some kind as a "yes space" for these and other scenarios, or be able to babyproof a room to the point where if you got locked out of the house with the kid inside, you wouldn't be as frantic to get back in. We did it a lot of encouraging independent play as well.
Also, I really, really want to poop by myself even after having kids!
You mean to tell me that this is my life now? This is not a phase!?
I forgot about the playard. It's in the basement because he hates it so much, but now I think I need to keep it handy for times like this!
I think a good general rule of thumb is if it's something that annoys you, your kid will be low key obsessed with it, lol. I don't let my kids follow me into the bathroom and always lock the door, but my husband has a harder time setting boundaries, so...
As a father of twins, I echo your accurate concerns times two. Luckily those have long passed.
😅😂😅So funny, so accurate! The iPad/phone shows/games help …while sitting on the bathroom floor. And lots of “my turn to go potty” …not making it negative, but encouraging personal space! LOL
This letter will have him rolling on the floor someday! You’re the best at details. Marc! 😂😆
I tried to spare some of the details! Thankfully it wasn't too messy!
😅😂can’t imagine what you left out! Pretty thorough imo! 😅maybe bathroom wipes would make a quicker exit!
😂
I'm struggling to decide if I actually want to posit this desperation move as "advice", but since you were so gracious with your share, here goes nothin'! My husband was gone much of the first three years of my daughter's life, so there was a lot of survival ingenuity in my house. At no point in those years do you want to be in the bathroom without your eyes on those little buggers for more than 20 seconds, and that is barely enough time to pee, so I would turn my own bathroom time in to reading time. She had a little bean bag and a box of books in the bathroom and everything. I have done quite the Dr. Seuss rendition from the toilet, thank you very much. It usually means you are actually stuck in the bathroom far longer than you want to be, but God made air freshener for a reason. Good luck!
A reading corner in the bathroom? This is an amazing idea. No more rushing for dear life. Great idea, Jess! 2 for one special. Empty bowel and practicing some reading skills. Brilliant!
It's Biology and Literacy at the same time. It's darn near home schooling in my book! Parent on! 🦸🏾♂️
So I didn't find myself in this situation often because when the babies were home from daycare there were often other people around in those early days, but the crib (before they could climb out of it) and the stroller (with it's wheels locked, INSIDE the house obviously, and the 5 point harness on) plus a video were my go to if I was truly desperate.
It's hard, man. They don't leave you even for a second.
Talk about prep. The 5 point harness was so key. Once kn his high chair I forgot and he almost fell but I caught him by the hems of his onesie. Never forgot to strap him in after that.
At a certain point they get too strong too… like, you’re worried that even with the harness, they’re just gonna knock the whole thing over with themselves in it…
Unfortunately in the early days of 12 months and under I did a lot of holding a baby while I was on the toilet. It was not easy but sometimes there is no time to plan. There were a lot of tears.
I feel all of this. While I have not cried, I can see why the situation calls for it.
I think the crying came from the overwhelming new reality of parenthood that you may not have any space or time for yourself even if you really want it for basic instinct things. We take for granted that pooping, eating a meal, or taking a shower aren’t guaranteed things to do alone or undisturbed anymore.
I swear Marc… EVERY SINGLE LINE I was laughing and trying to contain myself, especially from commenting directly!!!
What a great Monday post full of Sun, like the one shining in the sky, same as the one I’ve been starting to fully live in my own life that is being co-created and materialize. Thank you for being another source of energy.
🌅
I honor always your work through your wording about your very own magical, energetic, very young life, you and your Myles are experiencing in your boys adventures (and troubles along the way 😂❤️)
Love you!
Alessandra, always appreciate you so much for YOUR LIGHT ☀️☀️
Thank you Mark, this meant a lot.
For you to have come to know me and always remember about me here,in your very own space.
And mostly, truly thank you for cherishing my presence so much each and every single time. 🙏
I restacked (only right to do so) with a note attached this post yesterday,to share this source of pure laughs with others on a Monday morning.
I hope you are gonna catch it 🥰
Yup, personal time and personal space do not belong to the parent of a 1 year old. 🤣 I remember those days. Sometimes I would hold my son on my lap while I sat. I had no choice. We got to talk and hang out and I was able to take care of my needs. It's not always easy, but having a sense of humor helps! Plus, it's temporary.
I love this lap trick. Although he’s at the age he doesn’t want to sit for too long. But I’ll try it and report back! Thanks for sharing Janine!
The lap plus a toy, a book, a puppet that you can voice, you might be able to stretch it out a bit.
You are giving the gems! A puppet would be funny. Doing standup on a toilet! He will love that.
I think the answer to 1 is you can’t poop by yourself, it’s not possible. So relatable! OMG trying to fend them off from the toilet brush too, that Matrix clip is spot on. And how they are seemingly not bothered by the stench is beyond me.
Laughed out loud reading this. I'm relieved we do not have a plunger in the second bathroom. Imagine if he got a hold of that and starting swinging - yuck! I love all the innocence they come with. Appreciate you for reading Erik!
Hahaha! It's so long ago that I was in a similar situation that I don't remember. Good job, Marc!
Diana, this is our life now!
Too funny. I've long given up trying to poop in peace and just accepted there will be a baby hanging onto my knees, trying to reach between my legs, every time. The glamour of parent-life.
This is a whole different kind of love!
Hah, you didn’t read the fine print. You give up that right when you have a kid or a dog. The only choice you now have is a razor wire perimeter.
One of my questions were going to ask about dogs. I hope my wife doesn't see this, but at this age dogs and babies act so similar. He's been crawling in circles lately just like how dogs chase their tails - not sure if that only happens in tv shows lol
My old guy friend has a great, great, granddaughter who was a toddler when he was given an Australian Shepherd mini puppy. The little girl and the little dog constantly played together and seemed to have some kind of psychic connection that allowed them to communicate without words. Their play was hilarious but also extremely complex and interesting. They both seemed to know what the other was thinking.
Jokes aside my sister taught him “privacy” so whenever I say “privacy” he’ll close the door. Sometimes he closes himself inside but most times he’ll give me some space
Clearly I need to figure out a hand sign for privacy.
Quick answer: we don't! Lol and now that my little is potty trained, she wants ALL the privacy when she is pooping. "Go away mommy, go away!" when she wants me out of the bathroom but will gladly stand right in front of me or want to sit on my lap while I'm doing my business complete with a "eww, disgusting mommy! THEN GET OUT!! hahah
Ashleigh, you have to do the prank for her and tell me how it went please hahah!