How do you get a 4.5 year old out of the bath?!

[milkyman]

My ds would stay in the bath at bedtime for over an hour which is a bit draining! How do you get him out??

[StarUtopia]

Take the plug out. Obviously!!!

Trust me. He will be out once he's freezing.

(open the window for good measure)

[Hoppinggreen]

I would pull the plug out after a few warnings and if he still didn't get out I would leave him there with a cheery " just give mummy a shout when you are ready to come out" and stay close by.

[oldbirdy]

Lift him?!

Seriously, I tend to do a 2min warning then a countdown while I hold out a warm towel to wrap around. If they aren't out by zero then they don't get the warm towel snuggle. We also do a hiding game where once I have wrapped them in a towel they 'disappear' and I can't find them and have to call daddy to help look.

[FiveMinutesAlone]

I pull the plug out. And turn the light off.

[Dementedswan]

Mine know when your skin goes wrinkly it's time to get out.

[mycatloveslego]

We do 5 minute warning, then plug out, then once the water's drained I leave the room and ask him to call me when he wants help getting out. He usually only manages 1-2 mins before he's cold and is yelling to get out!

[milkyman]

Tried taking plug out but he screamed blue murder - it was a nightmare!!!

[milkyman]

Also he is v heavy so can't lift him!

[SleepFreeZone]

You have to just get strict I'm afraid and clamp down on it. Initially you will get screaming and shouting but eventually they just get with the program. Personally? I say fine, turn the light off and close the door.

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

What?! You let him sit in the bath til he decides to get out? Up to an hour later?!

IJust tell him he's getting out, if e diesnt do as hes told and ger out, pull the plug and he'll soon follow lou when he's cold.

honestly, I couldn't be arsed with this, what I say goes and my DDs know it

[Etak15]

Tell him you'll have to wash his hair again if he stays in longer - works with my hairwashing phobic dc's!!

[Whatthefreakinwhatnow]

Alternatively, switch to showers, much easier and quicker, and in the morning before school rather than at night.

[sebashocked]

Bribery

[Justmuddlingalong]

So rather than have him screaming blue murder, you let him stay in til he's ready to come out? Who's the adult here?

[illegitimateMortificadospawn]

Alternatively, switch to showers, much easier and quicker, and in the morning before school rather than at night.

If you aren't capable of setting boundaries and being firm, try this ^ but, to be honest, if you can't even provide parental authority on something small like this one hour bathtimes are the least of your worries. They only get bigger and more challenging as the years go by...

[Catgotyourbrain]

Cold water?

My behaviourally difficult 10yo still like this. I say he can stay until the water goes. Usually works but hard going

[Herdingcows]

I think you have bigger problems that just getting his out of the bath.

Time to get tough and start acting like a parent. Yes children scream. Mine don't anymore as they know it doesn't get them what they want

[milkyman]

Thanks all - just to clarify, I said he 'would' stay in the bath for an hour if I didn't get him out. He doesn't actually do this. Was after a techniques that might involve less drama not critism. I am very firm with him.

[SilenceOfThePrams]

Count down to end of bath time. Pull the plug. Ignore the screams. Praise him for getting dry and dressed once he does.

[StarUtopia]

So what if he screams blue murder? And?

Let him scream. Merrily whistle around if you have to to block out the noise!

Sounds like you may have some bigger issues than him not getting out of the bath? Both my kids know I mean business and when I say 'Out', they're out! End of.

[balence49]

You can't really be that firm with him if you can't get him out of a bath without a drama?
If mine tried this it'd be bed without a story...

[milkyman]

Wow thanks.

[BertsBlanket]

I give a countdown then they get the option of me pulling the plug or them doing it. They always choose to themself, then I'm standing their with the towel being fun saying something about wrapping them up like a sausage roll or a race to get pjs on for an extra story or something. It's very draining being upbeat but it does work!

Or I have done baths at other times of day when they can stay in to their hearts content.

[cliffdiver]

A reward incorporated into the bedtime routine for getting out without a fuss?

Tell him that he can pull the plug if he gets out without a fuss?

No bath the next day if he makes a fuss? - obviously this may not be practical.

He could have 'playing' time, then all toys removed for 'washing' time so that after he's washed there's nothing exciting in the bath?

[OpalFruitsMarathonsandSpira]

I'd second taking the plug out, telling him to inform you when he wants lifted out and then 'anchor' yourself. No matter how long the scream lasts, just hold on and remind yourself it's a long game. Not giving his screams power is the kindest thing you can do for your son.