How often do you give your kids a bath? At what age do you let them bath on their own?
I realize that you can't pin an age to this- it depends on the child because they have different personalities and abilities but for all of the moms out there who have already been to this phase- when did you let your kids bath on their own? I really dislike giving baths!!!! I try to avoid it at all costs, but they do need to get cleaned sometimes!!! Sometimes I read about people giving their kids a bath every day and I just can't imagine that! Do moms really do this??? I used to every other day, but now it has been a little longer between baths lately because I dislike it so much and they don't seem all that dirty. Of course, if they are noticeably dirty, I give them a bath more often- but I don't enjoy any minute of it!! The kids do fine and play and are happy- but I'm not too excited about it all! Any hints?
BTW- we have an extra large bathtub and I usually have all three kids in at once (ages 4, 3, 1) so they get more play time while they are waiting for the others to get cleaned. I've tried individual baths and even showers when we need to get it done quick- but all three together seems to be best for us.
Amy
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Amy, I've often wondered about the bath-every-night deal too. Though, we did give baths every evening while we went on vacation last summer so the kids had some consistency to their days away from home. We saw the bathtime as a way to wind down from a day full of people and events. I think they saw it as an extension of play time since they enjoy baths so much. But we tried.
We tend to give baths every couple days or when needed. Our 3 kids bathe together well, though 8 mo is in there for only a brief period of time. We supervise bathtime still, though I usually take in a book or something for myself to work on while in there. My husband is a huge help -- I supervise the kids and bathe them, then he hauls 'em out of the tub to dry and dress them. Then the kids ask him to play Nintendo while they wait for hair to dry before going to bed. He doesn't mind. :)
I've wondered, too, about when boys and girls shouldn't take baths together. Any thoughts?
Wow, we're not the only ones!!!! I don't like giving baths either, and my hubby, well to say he loathes it would be too generous. when the kids were very small, I would often put them at my feet when I took a shower and they could play a little, when I was done with all my stuff then I would give them a quick wash up, this worked for a long time and would've last longer had we not had more kids than the bath tub/shower would hold with me in it! hahaha And it's probably what we will do with the new one for while too.
Anyway, my kids always got more wound up and excited in the bath so we had to stop giving them one all together. We give them showers now and I'm almost embarrassed to say it's usually only about twice a week (unless like you said there is visible dirt or they have been doing something or been somewhere that they really need it). Now in my defence, they have swimming lessons on Mondays during the school year and I bring shampoo with me and they wash their hair in the showers after that...chlorine kills any germs they had before right???? ;o) When we were home last year and it was hot (we were in TX and KS) and they were outside all day getting dirty and sticky and sweaty, then I actually gave them a bath pretty much every single night and it did settle them down then because it was cool and they'd been hot all day. We have a stall type shower now and we've been using that for the past couple years, sometimes one at a time, sometimes 2 at a time. My kids are 7 1/2, 6 next month and 5 in 2 months and we started about 2 weeks ago letting them shower themselves. I still sat in the room with them and put the shampoo on their head and watched to make sure they got everything rinsed out and washed off and rinsed again etc. They did really good, I was impressed to be honest and it was much less stressful on mom and dad too. And they loved the independence of it all. I think it will still be a while before we can just say ok go upstairs and take a shower...but we're one step closer!
Bath time is LOVED by everyone in my house. My husband will always get in the bath with Jacob & they play & play. Although, he loves to take a bath more than I do...which is kinda funny, but I'm glad!
Usually, he will get in with him & they'll spend at least 30 minutes in there. I will come in and help to wash him & then I will get Jacob out of the bath when they are done. It's worked out well for us.
I do get him in the bath by himself often, too...usually, it's not as long, but he enjoys being able to lay in the tub & have all the space to himself, too.
My little one gets a bath at least every other day, now...when he was little, it was like 2-3 times week, if needed. The doctor always told us he didn't need to bathe more than once a week...I didn't think that was good enough! I like bath time a lot more now, that he can play & really enjoys it!
I'm not sure when I'll let him be by himself...it will be a while, I'm sure!
We do the every few days bath also, and also stick the older 2 kids in the tub together. They really enjoy playing, and like Amy said, they use it as extra playtime while the other one gets their "bath." Our kids love their baths, and I don't usually mind giving them, but we usually go out in the evenings to do stuff, so sometimes it's just too much to get a bath in before bed, so we usually do baths only when a) they have a major diaper blowout, b) before Church, c) before going to dinner with someone our out to eat with grandparents d) we're bored during the day and driving mom crazy or e) it's been 3 days and none of the previously mentioned criteria have been met!
Levi loves his bathtime but I have to admit it isn't my favorite thing to do. I enjoy watching him play and splash but he isn't very cooperative when it comes to actually washing! He cries when I have to wash his hair and he really cries when it's time to come out. I've started leting the water out and then getting him out but even then he fusses. He is very active and independant and so sitting still to get dried and dressed is not easy. That is the real reason that I don't like bathtime. I only give him a bath twice or three times a week or when needed (it's also hard because we have to give him baths upstairs in our landlady's bathtub since we only have a shower). Sometimes if it's hot outside and he's playing in his kiddi pool I'll just wash him real quick. I've also just done the wipe down with a cloth and soap before. I've tried to have him in the shower with me but he really doesn't like it so it turnes out to be a lot more work! I'm thinking that when we have our own tub I'll do it more often, plus when he starts walking he'll be sure to get dirtier. I don't have a set time for baths, it's usually whenever the landlady doesn't mind or is gone or when I feel up to it. Sometimes in the late afternoon before dinner or in the late morning. My husband has never given him a bath and doesn't want to. I don't blame him but sometimes I wish he would...
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