As a parent, there are moments when I find myself astounded—and somewhat intrigued—by the level of dirt I can tolerate on my skin and hair. I often realize the outfit I’m wearing is likely the same one I donned for bed and maybe even yesterday.
I wasn’t always this lax about personal hygiene. There was a time when I relished daily showers and fresh clothes. But that all changed when I embraced motherhood. Ah yes, the transformative powers of having children.
Admittedly, things have improved slightly now that my kids are 4 and 6 years old. However, my showering routine has become quite basic: hop in, wash the essential areas, and rinse out the grease. Shaving above the knee? That’s simply not happening. Grooming down there? Please, spare me the time.
In my home, I’ve declared a sacred rule: I shall reclaim my shower time at least once a week. From this point forward, during my “Saturday Shower,” unless there’s a medical emergency, my family is banned from entering my bathroom oasis.
Every Saturday begins with a firm announcement to my children and husband: “Family,” I declare, “Mommy is taking a shower. No one is allowed in the bathroom. Stay downstairs with Dad, or better yet, don’t leave this floor.” They nod in understanding, and I shoot my husband a warning glance that says, “You better keep them out of my sanctuary, or else!”
And just like that, I dash upstairs, practically skipping in anticipation of my Saturday Shower. I crank up the Billy Joel station on Pandora and belt out my favorite tunes. “A bottle of white… A bottle of red…” Oh yes, Billy, maybe a sparkling rosé would be nice.
Turning the water to a near-boiling point (it takes a lot to wash off that ‘Mom’ residue), I gaze at the array of shower products that have sadly accumulated dust and soap scum over the week. Fluffy loofahs, sweet-smelling shower gels, and colorful body scrubs greet me like long-lost friends.
This is my Saturday Shower, and I intend to utilize every single product. Shampoo and conditioner? I’ll wash, rinse, and repeat without hesitation. I wave goodbye to the lotions and makeup I’ll indulge in once this blissful shower is over. When I finally emerge, I want to hear the strains of “Pretty Woman” or the nostalgic tune from the end of Sixteen Candles.
But just as I begin to indulge in my perfect Saturday Shower, my peace is shattered when one of my children barges in.
“Hey, Mommy!”
“Hey, sweetie. What are you doing here? Where’s Dad?”
“I dunno.”
“Well, I’m in the shower, so… a little privacy, please…”
“I’m just gonna go potty.”
I try to redirect him. “We have three other bathrooms, buddy. Please use one of those.”
But he insists, dropping his pants without lifting the seat. I realize what kind of “business” he’s planning to conduct.
Trying to ignore the situation, I continue to sing, hoping he’ll finish quickly. But soon, the steamy air is filled with the unmistakable odor of a child, overpowering the sweet scent of my vanilla sugar scrub.
As he flushes the toilet, the smell intensifies, and I feel defeated when he swipes my phone off the counter, turning off my music before leaving the bathroom, engrossed in a game.
My Saturday Shower dreams are dashed; the experience is a total disaster. My children have an uncanny ability to disrupt everything: my precious shower time, my once-flat stomach, and my ability to run upstairs without worrying about an accident. While I can’t fix most of these interruptions, I’ll be sure to lock the door next Saturday and perhaps start the dishwasher and washing machine as soon as my husband steps into the shower come Monday morning.
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In summary, finding time for self-care as a parent can be a challenge, but dedicating a specific day for a luxurious shower can help reclaim a sense of normalcy. Even amidst the chaos, those moments of solitude can offer a refreshing escape.