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AIBU?

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Original poster

Husband leaves 3yo son in bath for a few seconds

237 replies

OneWarmHazelQuail · 31/07/2025 20:43

My husband will leave my 3yo son alone in the bath for under a minute to grab a flannel/towel, or run down stairs to grab a glass of water. It really bothers me and I have told him repeatedly that I think its unsafe and should never be done. AIBU?

OP posts:
MyUmberSeal · 31/07/2025 20:58

At 3 years old, I think it’s entirely reasonable to leave for a very short time.

MagicTape · 31/07/2025 20:57

At 3yo I think that's fine. I used to get DD to sing me a song at that age if I had to nip out to grab a towel or something while she was in the bath. If I could hear her I knew she was fine!

BlueRin5eBrigade · 31/07/2025 20:55

Your H is a prat. My friend left his kid, of a similar age. to get a towel. The child drowned. He came back and found her face down in the water. He called 999 and they helped him do CPR until the ambulance came. Thankfully, the resuscitated her. They don't know what, if any, deficit she will have. They nearly lost her. For what? Piss poor organisation. Tell him to get his shit together.

RandomMess · 31/07/2025 20:51

Why would he need to go downstairs for a glass of water?

Grab something from a cupboard or next door absolutely fine.

Mulledjuice · 31/07/2025 20:50

Ive been wondering this myself. Could DC right themselves if they slipped over and went under? Is it genuinely only a few seconds?

Cogsworthy · 31/07/2025 20:50

It also depends on the child. Our DD is 3 and treats the bath how most people would treat a full-blown water park. We know she’s happy and safe by the hysterical screeching - we could hear her from three houses down and know she’s fine tbh

pyjamalife · 31/07/2025 20:49

Merryoldgoat · 31/07/2025 20:49

Probably wouldn’t go downstairs but to grab towel etc is fine imo.

I agree, towel from cupboard is just about ok, downstairs for water is a bit longer.

pyjamalife · 31/07/2025 20:49

Can you compromise and make him get your child to sing to him/tell him a story, so he knows he's ok?

Merryoldgoat · 31/07/2025 20:49

Probably wouldn’t go downstairs but to grab towel etc is fine imo.

Pollqueen · 31/07/2025 20:48

At 3, I think that's fine. But only for a moment or two, certainly no longer than a minute

Cogsworthy · 31/07/2025 20:46

Less than a minute, completely fine, unless DC is actively trying to climb out or something like that.

dontcomeatme · 31/07/2025 20:45

I have multiple DC and unfortunately when I'm solo parenting this happens. I think 3 is a "safe enough" age. As long as the water isn't too high and he is only gone for a second or 2. Any child under 2/2.5 would be an instant no. Stay with them at all times x