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AIBU?

to bath my children this infrequently?

134 replies

terrificallytremendous · 28/02/2014 14:06

Dp has two children who are aged 6 and 7. Their mum has said we cannot have them in school holidays because when we have them (for one night at a time at present) we don't bath them. She says dsd is at a 'tender age' and at home her 4 children have baths separately every single morning.

My children are 6 years and 20 months and they share a bath three times per week in winter, more in summer. Apart from the expense of water, I think every day is excessive as they just don't get that dirty in winter and see it as a waste of time to get up early to bath everyday. Aibu?

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CinnabarRed · 28/02/2014 14:08

I have 3 children aged 6, 3 and 2. They get bathed twice per week, plus a shower each after swimming.

In our case, it's mostly because they all have dry, sensitive skin which I see no need to irritate.

They do all get a good wipe down after supper, though!

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kotinka · 28/02/2014 14:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SeaSickSal · 28/02/2014 14:09

YANBU, she's using this as an excuse. I would say this is more about control than real welfare concerns.

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Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 28/02/2014 14:10

Sounds about right to me.
To be honest as long as they have clean clothes and don't whiff I think you can get away with once or twice a week. I am a skank though.

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ToriaPumpkin · 28/02/2014 14:10

We bath DS 2-3 times a week and he sometimes has a shower with DH on a Friday night as he loves the shower.

We were told by the GP and HV not to bath him every day as it makes his eczema worse and unless he's particularly dirty/has been swimming etc he really doesn't need a bath more often.

So YANBU.

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YoureBeingASillyBilly · 28/02/2014 14:11

Mine are 4 and 8 and ds1 hasnt benn happy to share a bath with ds2 in about 2 years.

They get bathed 4/5 nights a week. Mondays and fridays are the two they dont get and sometimes saturdays.

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Finola1step · 28/02/2014 14:11

My d aged 6 and 3 have a bath every night as part of bed time routine. Apart from swimming days when ds has a shower just before tea.

But what you decide is up to you.

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CoffeeTea103 · 28/02/2014 14:11

Yabu at 6 they should be bathed everyday. This isn't a good reason though for her stopping contact.

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LurkingNineToFive · 28/02/2014 14:11

Dd has dry skin too so I try not to bath her unless she's dirty (usually 3 times a week). Bathing too much can be bad for them.

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TheScience · 28/02/2014 14:11

3 times a week is more than fine, but some people are funny about baths.

Can you compromise and shower them every day though? It doesn't sound like it's worth falling out over.

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Pobblewhohasnotoes · 28/02/2014 14:11

This sounds more about her than you.

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deelite72 · 28/02/2014 14:12

Oh my goodness UA-NOT!-BU. Just for emphasis. :-)
It's expensive and also it's not healthy to wash delicate young skin every single day. I wonder if I should admit this but I bath my kids twice a week. This will change when my son becomes interested in girls and not smelling like a goat's bottom half the time (boys get so stinky!). Obviously in the summer time, we up our game on the cleanliness since we're out and about more and the weather is warmer. Honestly, I wouldn't be able to find the time or energy to bath 4 kids every morning! But that's just me.

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IdRatherPlayHereWithAllTheMadM · 28/02/2014 14:13

I think washing babies every day is ridiculous and washing small children every single day in unnecessary. Mine have a wash every few days so about 3/4 times a week.

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ilovepowerhoop · 28/02/2014 14:14

there is no need for a bath every day. I have skanky children too Blush

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IdRatherPlayHereWithAllTheMadM · 28/02/2014 14:14

BTW I feel quite strongly about this having done JOhnson and Johnson focus groups, they are flogging their wares at mothers making them feel guulity if they are not washing baby every single day etc...

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ginmakesitallok · 28/02/2014 14:14

Dd2 has a bath most nights, she's 4 and will go and run one if we're not quick enough. Dd1 has probably 2 baths minimum a week, she doesn't seem to see the need....

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IdRatherPlayHereWithAllTheMadM · 28/02/2014 14:14

My DC are far from skanky.

They are not skany. its the big companies who make us feel like this dont buy into it!

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BrianTheMole · 28/02/2014 14:15

Mine share a bath twice a week, age 4 and 6. They have a wipe down in between. Anymore than that aggravates their skin.

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terrificallytremendous · 28/02/2014 14:15

Why should they be bathed every day at 6 coffee? None of the kids are smelly or sweaty.

I know it's the latest in a long line of excuses from her but it did get me wondering if I'm being grotty with my kids. She also insists to dsc that they get dressed in private and I got in trouble for letting my dd and hers get changed together at swimming. They thought nothing of it and I don't see why they should be encouraged to be conscious of their body at 6?

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joven · 28/02/2014 14:16

Hmm you do realise you are going to bring on the wrath of the clean freaks who insist you must shower every time you walk 10 metres because you might have microscopic sweat particles on you.

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Abra1d · 28/02/2014 14:16

I never bathed mine every single night when they were little. When they grew into pre-teens/teenagers they, of their own accord, started showering daily.

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fatfingers · 28/02/2014 14:16

YANBU. My dcs have sensitive/dry skin and frequent baths make this worse. Maybe they could jump in the shower at your house instead?

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moogalicious · 28/02/2014 14:17

at home her 4 children have baths separately every single morning

Really? How does she have the time?! The only one of mine who showers every day is dc1 who is nearly 12. The others have a bath every other day or so. In the evening.

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BirthdayMuppet · 28/02/2014 14:17

It's not about the baths it's about her control. Turn it round and reply gushingly "Of course we'll bathe them in the mornings, and night too if you'd like. Any products we can buy that you'd like them to use specially?" etc. See what her response is, bet you anything she'll stall and find something else to use against you.

Separately I agree with everyone else. Pre pubescent children don't need bathing every day unless they're physically dirty.

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Vijac · 28/02/2014 14:17

You aren't being unreasonable. Lots of people bathe everyday aspart of a routine, usually bedtime and everyone enjoys it. However, it is not necessary and as other posters have said can dry skin out. I doubt they get that dirty and even if they do surely getting a bit grimy is part of childhood. You have to be super clean for the rest of your life. You should recommend she reads Roald Dahl the witches! Good bit about bathing every day in that!

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