Greg and I have a large capacity for handling sick kids.
In the middle of the night, by just the light of the moon and an LED nightlight, we can change vomit-laced sheets, reroute children to new beds, stop bloody noses in less than 5 minutes flat, open up asthmatic airways, and correctly dose medications in syringes, droppers and spoons.
Our skills were honed the same way desperate parents throughout time have perfected their craft. Practice, practice, practice.
This morning’s main event involved a child, a toilet, and a garbage can. You can do the math. My role included back-rubbing, heartfelt prayers for relief, and assurances to the child that she wouldn’t die.
After we completed our bathroom activities and I had the child tucked safely back in (my) bed (note to self: wash sheets before going to bed tonight), I had 10 minutes left to get ready for work.
In the same way I’ve honed my middle-of-the-night skills, so have I perfected the art of getting ready for work in 10 minutes. Neither is my preference, but both are occasionally necessary.
Before I had kids, I used to shower twice a day. I know that’s extreme, but I really love to be clean. A hot shower may be the penultimate luxury, surpassed only by a hot bath, a good book and a glass of red wine.
These days, I’m lucky if I can manage a lukewarm shower every other day. And sometimes, like this morning, even the every-other-day shower gets preempted by a sick kid.
What’s a mom who wants to be presentable to do?
Sure, there are the usual tricks. Smell nice by layering deodorant and brushing teeth. Throw a little talcum powder in the hair to take away that greasy shine.
But did you know it’s possible to wash just the front of your hair? All you need is a sink and a pea-sized drop of shampoo.
Revolutionary! My fabulous sister-in-law, Kim, taught me that move, and, lately, it’s my #1 get-ready-in-a-hurry tip.
I can wash, dry and style the front part of my hair in less than 5 minutes. By contrast, a full-on shower and hair-styling session will take me 35-45 minutes.
Best time-saving, look-and-feel-human tip this side of a shower.
Shallow? You betcha. But on these I’m-sick, you’re-sick, we’re-all-sick days, a little feel-good boost soothes the soul.
7 responses to “I have to wash my hair.”
Brilliance! Like Judy said, I’ve also heard good things about this elusive dry shampoo. I keep hearing of it’s existence, but never see it for sale anywhere. Kinda like Big Foot.
genious!
just the front? how does that work? do you tie up the back? and how do you know how much of it to wash then? (you can tell, I REALLY need tips like these! 😉 keep ’em coming!) do you teach classes also? ‘how to acquire awesome lockers for paraphernalia’ and ‘how to get ready for work in less than 10 minutes’ sounds like you have your work cut out for you! (for which you’ll be able to get ready in no time, yay! 🙂
Instructions: Part the front of your hair, pulling that hair forward, and tie up the back. If I’m in a hurry, I do just my bangs. Well, I don’t really have bangs, but you know what I mean. You can also go ears-forward. SO much easier than trying to stick your whole head under a faucet. 🙂
Classes: I wish! Too bad neither of those ideas were mine! Maybe Greg and Kim can tag-teach classes. That would be hilarious.
Beth
Okay, I tried that and I failed miserably, I tell you, it was a sorry sight, me trying to wash just the front part of my hair… So I’m just gonna stick with the ‘complete washing’ and leave the ‘partial washing’ to you guys! 😉
And sign me up for those Greg&Kim classes! That does sounds like a hoot, but where will they be teaching? Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle? Ehm, where’s the middle? New York?
When we were at the Vermont Country Store a year and a half ago, I was amazed to see spray cans of Pssst, a dry powder “shampoo” that was available when I was in college for just such occasions. I remember using it a few times! You just spray it on like hairspray, and give your hair a good brushing. It didn’t even leave dandruff.
So sorry to hear the sick bug is still hanging around.
WHAT?? I need this product! Why did they ever stop selling it? Probably global warming.
Beth