Hold a Stranger's Baby

The project:
Hold a woman's cold, wet, howling, beautiful toddling boy so she could get a shower.

Time:
10 minutes

Why bother?
Have YOU ever tried showering in a communal shower while tending to a baby? How about trying to bathe that baby when said shower is the only means of personal hygiene offered? Now add an incredibly dry, dusty, group camp setting, open-air shower and temps dipping into the 60s and you're in for a real treat.

This mom was doing her best, but the babe was clean, and the mom still needed her turn. She couldn't hold him and get herself clean, so she let him stand next to her. He was NOT pleased. He was COLD. And, insult above all insults, WATER was getting into his eyes! (Oh the INHUMANITY!)

I'd only managed to get my undergarments on before finally breaking down and chipping in, but I tend to be a pretty warm body, even in an open-air shower, still damp and in cooler temps. More importantly, however: I've been there.

I asked where his towel was. She pointed the way. I scooped him up and wrapped him, then stood within HIS arm's reach of his mom.

Worth it?
Absolutely. He was still unhappy, but he wasn't so cold, and actually started to settle a bit once he started warming up all bundled in the towel. And if his mom was half as stinky and filthy as I was before hitting the shower, I'm CERTAIN she was happy for those moments to take care of herself!