How to Multitask when Your Toddler is in the Bath

Does your toddler like to stay in the bath and play for a long time? Are you tired of sitting there twiddling your thumbs thinking about all the other things you could be doing? There are several other tasks you can take care of without leaving the bathroom and staying in arms reach of your child.

Safety first! Never leave your child unattended while he or she is in the bath. Always stay in the bathroom with your toddler. Even if the water isn't very deep, accidents can happen and should one occur, you want to be right there to take charge of any situation.

It is a good idea to let your child play as long as he or she wants to in the bath. The longer they play in the water, the more tired they get, and if you've scheduled baths in the evening before bedtime, your child will sleep better once bath time is over.

The first thing you can do while you wait is to clean your bathroom. You don't want to get out the heavy duty cleaning products while your little one is in the enclosed room, but you can pick up any clothes and things that are on the floor. Sit the garbage outside the door to remind you to take it out later. Wet an old wash cloth and wipe down the porcelain and faucets. Straighten up any magazines or books that you keep in a basket or bin.

Organize the bathroom closet and the shelves behind the mirror. These areas get messy fast. Wipe down shelves and rearrange your items. Look in the bottom of the closet for items that have fallen to the floor. Pick them up and replace them on their appropriate shelf. When you're cleaning out the shelves behind the mirror, look at the stuff as if you're a guest at your own house. Is there anything that doesn't belong? When you get in a hurry you'll toss items here and there just so they are out of the way. Take any of those items out and put them in their appropriate place. If they don't belong in the bathroom, set them outside the door so you can put them away later.

Once you have a cleaner and more organized bathroom, do something for yourself. You can give yourself a facial or just do your daily face washing routine. Take this time to floss and brush your teeth. File and clip your nails if they need maintenance. Don't ever paint your nails in the bathroom while your toddler is in the bath. Even though there aren't as many chemicals in nail polish as there used to be, children don't need to breathe in the odor.

You can also use this time as educational time with your toddler since they are actually sitting in one place. Read books to your child or show them pictures of other babies from parenting magazines. Play "I Spy" and teach your child colors. Sing the alphabet song or other nursery rhymes. Count toys, shampoo and body wash containers or tiles on the wall together. Bath time is a great time for one-on-one interaction without the distractions of television.

While you're multitasking don't get so lost in what you're doing that you're not paying attention to your child. Look at him or her and talk to your child. Ask your child what he or she is doing. Engage your child in conversation while you're busy and he or she is playing.

After bath time is over and your child is safely out of the bath and settled in another room, go back to the bath and put away all the stuff that you set outside the door. Take the trash out, put items away that don't belong in the bathroom and pick up any towels or washcloths that were dirtied during your child's bath. Wipe down the bath tub so that bath tub rings don't set in. This quick and easy clean-up can help keep your bathroom clean. Busy moms know that every minute counts when you have little time in your day and any way you can simplify your life helps.