Showering
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” – Hebrews 10:22
Showering was very difficult. The three of us showered once every two day and shared one of the showers in the truck stops. There was always a lot involved in taking a shower. There was a lot to carry and get done. I had to take care of the dishes, bathe the baby, bathe myself and then we all worked as quickly as possible to get everything packed back up and outside. I don’t remember enjoying a single shower while we were out on the road. It always seemed like work. I have listed some tips below to make life easier: |
- Pick a time of day when showers are most readily available - usually between the hours of 9am and 3pm, and then 12am-4am (if you can find a parking spot). These are the times when all the single day drivers are either asleep or out driving and not clogging up the shower line.
- Change your clothes before you head in to shower, this means that all you need in the shower bag is soap, diapers, baby's clothes, a wash cloth, etc.
- Use the baby bathtub to carry your dishes inside.
- Split up your dishes load by doing them throughout the day during bathroom breaks and fuel stops.
- Go to the counter and specify that you would like the disabled shower. Make sure you have the baby with you so they understand why. The people that work at truck stops don't really want the drama of an upset Mum and baby on their hands.
- Make sure you ask the orderly for extra towels.
- Get everything laid out before you start the showering process so you can grab it when you need it. Soak dirty dishes.
- The rest is all up to you on how you do things. Some babies like to hang out in their bathtubs, some like are happy to hang out in their car seat or backpack and then some are just happy with a good old fashioned towel.