For exhausted parents, few things feel as luxurious as an uninterrupted hot shower. It’s a simple act of self-care—one that melts away stress and leaves you feeling refreshed—but when you have little ones who need constant attention, finding time for one can feel nearly impossible.
Sometimes a cartoon or a favorite show can buy a few minutes, but any parent knows the universal law of parenting: The moment you step into the shower, that’s when your kids suddenly need you. Nothing quite replaces a real human keeping an eye on them while you take care of yourself.
One aunt recently went viral for doing just that—watching her nephew over FaceTime so her sister could finally take a peaceful shower.
The Ultimate Long-Distance Babysitting Hack
Melasadies Worrell from Georgia shared a short TikTok video with the caption:
“When your sister is home with the kids by herself and needs someone to watch them while she showers. So you use your lunch break to help her.”
Worrell explained to Newsweek that she had her sister prop up the phone in front of the baby and connect her to a speaker in the bathroom. That way, if the baby stirred or cried, she could call out and let Mom know. The couple’s older child was also in the room playing quietly, so Worrell could keep an eye on both kids while their mom took a much-needed break.
There are baby monitors, of course, but they don’t let you see what’s happening when you’re in the shower. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing more nerve-wracking than hearing a thud or sudden silence while you’re shampooing your hair.
“She felt a sense of peace knowing I was watching them, even if I couldn't physically do anything,” Worrell said. “But I could scream out and let her know, ‘Wait a second, get out of the shower, he's rolling!’”
Parents Everywhere Are Relating
In the now-viral clip, Worrell casually eats lunch while keeping an eye on the sleeping baby. Over 2 million people watched the video, and many chimed in to say they’ve done the exact same thing:
“My mom is in another country, but you bet she’s watching her granddaughter on FaceTime.”
“I did this for my cousin! She had me on Bluetooth in the bathroom so I could warn her if the baby needed something.”
“Sometimes just knowing someone is looking at them eases your mind.”
“This is the definition of ‘It takes a village.’”
Virtual Babysitting: A Modern Parenting Hack
Believe it or not, hiring a virtual babysitter is actually a thing. It sounds strange at first, but for many parents, a little help—even through a screen—goes a long way.
These days, more parents work from home, meaning traditional babysitting needs have shifted. Sometimes, it’s not about getting a sitter for date night—it’s about finding 30 minutes to take a shower, make a work call, or eat a meal in peace.
Whether it’s FaceTiming Grandma or hiring a pro to engage kids with games and puzzles, virtual babysitting is just another way parents are adapting to modern life. It’s not a perfect solution, but as this viral auntie proved, sometimes a little creativity is all it takes to make a big difference.