Dave Barry's Tot Hanger -- Perfect for Pool Halls

on November 29, 2008 at 9:35 AM

The BabyKeeper Basic by momessentials.com

The BabyKeeper Basic by mommysentials.com

I stumbled across this side-slapping bit from Miami Herald's Dave Barry, one of my all-time favorite humor columnists, on the oddest gifts you could possibly buy someone. "This is a list of items that are so unusual that if you give one to your wife, her reaction will be: 'Thank God he did not get me any more'," Barry writes.

As a Toddler Mom, one of Barry's gift picks in particular caught my attention: the restroom baby and tot hanger.

"Say you're carrying a baby and you need to use a public restroom stall," Barry writes. "What do you do with the baby? Obviously you can't leave the baby outside the stall, because there's no telling what kind of sicko pervert or U.S. senator might be hanging around. But if you take the baby into the stall, what do you do with him or her?

"The answer is, you suspend your baby from the stall wall, using this clever device. While you're doing your business, your baby hangs there on the wall like a cute li'l mini-paratrooper, looking happy as a clam, if he or she is anything like the professional baby used in the promotional photos for this item.

"We assume you also could use this product to suspend your baby from fences, cubicle dividers, art galleries, volleyball nets ... anywhere you need to suspend a baby."

Hee-hee. I needed this little diversion. All the shopping is driving me crazy!

On Monday, make sure to check the Daily Buzz, here and throughout all our channels, for CafeMom's REAL Holiday Gift Guide, with our personal picks for every big and little person in your life.

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: child care, gear, holiday gifts 08

Comments (26)

Charmedmommy82

on Nov 29, 2008 at 9:58 AM

I'd get it as a gag gift for my brother!

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melissab1998

on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:37 AM

I have mastered the art of holding my baby while using the bathroom.

joyfullem

on Nov 29, 2008 at 1:14 PM

I would I hate having to use the bathroom while holding my baby!! Its not easy! Especially when they are 9 or 10 months old and dont walk and you have to hold them on your lap!! Not a chance I would totally buy this

crazywith4

on Nov 29, 2008 at 1:38 PM

Okay, that is hysterical! I wouldn't be able to use it anymore, mine are too big, but I can recall many a time I would have been eternally grateful to have one! But can it be used as just a carrier, too, or would you just carry it around until you needed it? Convenient to use, but not to carry??

aidensmomma508

on Nov 29, 2008 at 1:58 PM

LOL maybe they should mandate them to every public restroom.

LadybugsMonkeys

on Nov 29, 2008 at 3:28 PM

I have seen things like these in restrooms. Little chairs hanging on the wall, you can strap young kidos in while, you do your thing. Of course I didn't find them til my littlest was to big to use it. Dairy Queen where I live is the only place that I still see them.

LauraBudCody

on Nov 29, 2008 at 4:15 PM

hahah way too funny, but totally practical.

Destineyfischer

on Nov 29, 2008 at 5:59 PM

Dave barrys funny we have 2 books of his now that I have kids I don't read as often but anywho he is a hoot!

gypsydancer7

on Nov 29, 2008 at 6:52 PM

That is hilarious

degsyuna

on Nov 29, 2008 at 8:52 PM

We have a few stores that have the little child seats in the stalls, and I think they're great! I'd totally use that! I'm pretty good about remembering to pee before leaving home, though, so I've only had to hold a baby while peeing twice!