Husband leaves 3yo son in bath for a few seconds

Is it really that difficult to just get the things he needs before putting your child in the Bath? There’s no need to nip out of the bathroom during bath time, just nip and get the things he needs in advance! Why take the risk?

I've had to do this before. I get ds to sing and talk to me if I'm out of the room so I can hear he's OK and it really would be seconds. Probably wouldn't go downstairs for a glass of water or leave for anything that could wait but a towel yes. Ds likes to run as soon as he gets out and wet speedy feet on wood isn't safe either.

My son has never been out of my eyeshot while in the bath. My mother in law told me she used to leave the kids upstairs in the bath unattended just casually during conversation and it lessened my opinion of her. I’m not especially anxious as a l mum but I do come from a medical family and there’s some stuff you just don’t take risks on

No, not even for a moment. Children can drown so quickly.

What a cock. It’s not who the glass is for that counts ffs.

I think some people that vote just read the thread title. A few seconds is NOT the same as going downstairs away from a very young child. The majority of comments are saying no it’s not acceptable.

I don't believe for a minute these stories where the parents left the room for 2 minutes and came back to a dead child.

No they didn't, I'm sure they said that's what happened, but no 3 yo is suddenly falling face first into the water and drowning in 2 minutes, or banging their head hard enough to be knocked unconscious, without the parent hearing.

I'd put money on the parent having left the room and been out of earshot for some time, long enough for the child to get tired and bored, possibly try to climb out of the bath or fall asleep with exhaustion.

He is being very irresponsible.

I’ve known two 3 year olds that came very close to losing their lives due to being left unattended.

I sometimes pop into my 3 year olds room (right next door to bathroom) to get something I’ve forgotten. Although I only do this if I have to, like I’ve forgotten her towel or her eczema cream, not just to get a drink I want, that can wait. But I always get her to sing something so I know she’s ok (she sings all day everyday so it’s an easy way to make sure she’s fine).

Id never go downstairs though - you can’t hear them and it’s too far.

Husband needs to think a bit more and get a glass of water,towel ect first.

Yes, and I also knew a) the layout of my own upstairs and b) what my daughter was doing at all times. If some things had been different, then my decisions would have been different. That's how it works.

There has been plenty of times where my over adventurous toddler slipped from sitting position and got a face full of water. That’s with nonslip bath mats. Because I’m there it’s not been a problem but if I wasn’t there.

1. Shock/panic could make it harder to right herself.
2. Head banging would be more likely without a swift arm scooping her up.

I can remember as a child (4 or 5) falling into a pond at the park and flailing around in absolute panic. My mum, who had my baby brother in the pram, didn’t move to get me. It was probably a short amount of time but felt like ages. She was fuming (everyone in the park was staring at us) and demanded I stand up. Turned out the pond was only knee deep.

It’s hard to make rational decisions in a panic, more so for a child.

Absolutely horrified by the voting and the comments on this thread.

Of course it is not okay to leave the bathroom

Does he not understand it takes only a few seconds for a kid to end up in danger if they slide under?

You just have to watch them to make sure you can respond if anything happens.

Did you read the post a few above yours?

I think 3 generally OK. I used to get DD (4 years older) to sit with DS occasionally and chat to him if I needed to quickly grab something.

Nope. We all still think that he shouldn't leave DC in the bath alone. Get the child out of the bath, dried and dressed then take them down for a drink.

Hard no. He can manage without a glass of water FFS. If he’s that desperate and will die of thrust he sticks his head under the tap.
Slowly goon f downstairs and getting a glass out and filling it and carefully walking back up is more than enough time for a fall or drowning or a burn from the hot tap.

nopity nope.

This! I'm less worried about drowning and more aware of turning the hot tap on. Can't believe how many people think this is okay.

I used to have my daughter in the bath while I pottered about upstairs, but it's quite small and I was only a few steps away at all times. The only reason I felt able to do that was because she was loud in the bath, constantly singing. I think at that age it's really a risk assessment and it depends on how you're still monitoring them. I don't think you can really monitor from another floor so I don't think you're unreasonable to not be happy with it. He should be taking that on board.

Why does he think this is ok?! You don’t leave such a young child unsupervised in the bath. Ffs your husband is an irresponsible dick.

He’s still an idiot. HTH.

Read up on dry drowning.

My God, how would he ever live with himself if something happened and to fetch a glass of water?! Seriously?!

I have been involved in several cases where toddlers/young children were left in the bath alone. In every case it was “just for a moment”. We were able to revive the most recent patient, but the two before that both died.

It doesn’t matter if it’s “just for a minute”. It doesn’t matter if they are singing to you so you can hear them. It doesn’t matter if your niece or previous DC were fine. It takes seconds for your child to drown. What could possibly be worth that risk?

Isn't it easier (and safer) to try to have everything you might need with you before you bathe them?