My 3 and half year old won’t have a bath

[Earlybird74]

My 3 and a half year old won’t have a bath or wash her hair. She is afraid of getting water on her face. This has been going on for 10 weeks. I am getting depressed and upset over it as she is starting to look so scruffy and unkept looking. I don’t knew what to do.

[moveandmove]

Could you try goggles to stop the water getting in here eyes?

[moveandmove]

Her not here

[TwistyHair]

Have a bath together?

[sleepismysuperpower1]

would she wear one of these? it stops the water going onto their faces.

[Earlybird74]

My 3 and half year old won’t have a bath1
Today 13:48 Earlybird74

My 3 and a half year old won’t have a bath or wash her hair. She is afraid of getting water on her face. This has been going on for 10 weeks. I am getting depressed and upset over it as she is starting to look so scruffy and unkept looking. I don’t know what to do.

[Earlybird74]

I had one but it didn’t work but I have bought another plastic bath visor but it hasn’t come yet. There is no guarantee as she won’t even get into the bath now. Thanks for you help.

[Earlybird74]

I got into the bath today and kept her in the room and she still wouldn’t get in. I can’t force her as she will get more traumatized. It’s a bit of a nightmare.

[Earlybird74]

Yes I could beg goggles. A lot of stores aren’t open but I will try online too

[Bert2020]

Bath with her and we now use crayola bath drops, they change the water colour. Dd is 3.5 and chooses which colour bath she would like, drops in the little bead thing and away she goes. We have her look to the ceiling for butterflies & bees and let her hold a small towel so she has control over wiping her eyes dry again.

[sleepismysuperpower1]

do you have a shower, with a detachable shower head? could you use that to just shower her body?

[bookmum08]

In normal times does she like going swimming or paddling pools? If so could have a pretend swimming trip in the bath. Wear swimsuits, have some plastic toys like boats and watering cans etc. Blow some bubbles. Sneak some actual bubble bath in.

[ProseccoBubbleFantasies]

Lean her backwards over the sink to wash her hair?

Paddling pool filled with bubble bath?

[Earlybird74]

Ok. Sounds like all good tricks. I just need to get her into the bath I suppose

[SharpieInThe]

I can’t force her as she will get more traumatized

Has she a history of trauma? Hating baths isn't trauma. Put her in, wash her, get her out.

You can't just not wash her. That's awful.

[Earlybird74]

My little girl is very stubborn and I have had to take all her pleasures away now until she gives in.

[HathorX]

Will she go in a paddling pool? Stick a load of warm water in it and wash her outside!

[Hercwasonaroll]

Shower her? Take the head off and wash her body to start with.

Getting her in the water is your main aim. Deal with the hair after.

[Earlybird74]

No history of trauma....she never liked me rinsing her hair but we always got through it. She has it built up more in her head now and just point blank refuses. The worst thing I ever did I was allow her to take a stand on this issue. Now she has an element of power.

[Bert2020]

Sorry another thing that worked for us, letting her get in with hair up and saying just a body wash and dry shampoo in her hair. Helped to get bath time fun again.

[Earlybird74]

I have gotten her into a basin and washed her down but just not the bath. Her hair is getting matted now.

[Blueemeraldagain]

Maybe try playing in the empty bath with clothes in? And maybe role play washing a doll’a hair in a washing up bowl? I think lots of water play in the warm weather if you have the appropriate space.

[Earlybird74]

Thank you all for your tips. The lockdown hasn’t helped as it started right after she had to stop going to crèche. I can’t even bring her to see her little cousins so she can bath with them.

[MsChatterbox]

Would she lay down on the kitchen surface with head over sink for you to wash her hair in the sink? This is how I washed my toddlers hair when he wouldn't understand about tilting his head back to stop it going in his eyes.

[PowerStruggle]

Can you try a little dry shampoo in the meantime? I would try as others have said and just get her in for a body wash at the least. Even if you have to toss her into the tub, you have to be the parent 😬

[peonia]

Have you tried getting her to hold a folded over flannel (or even two) over her face and eyes? I find it helps them feel a bit more in control and soaks up any inadvertant drops of water.