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Original poster

At what age is it safe to allow a child to bath alone?

19 replies

NoWittyName · 24/04/2011 21:26

My son is nearly 8. Someone still stays with him when he has a bath but he has started with wanting privacy. He can swim (I know that sounds ridiculous) but I am not sure this correlates with not drowning in the bath! Do you think he is old enough to allow him to bath alone (I would still run the bath to ensure it's not too hot).

Thoughts gratefully received.
x

OP posts:
seeksnewnamewithgsoh · 24/04/2011 21:30

I think I was bathing alone by about age 5. Or at least being left to play while she dried and dressed my younger brother, so I could have even been a bit younger.

My nephews are 10 and 8 and have been bathing with very little supervision for about 2 years now. The little supervision is more to make sure that they're not up to mischief than to minimise the risk of drowning Smile

seeksnewnamewithgsoh · 24/04/2011 21:30

She being my mum, sorry. Crucial bit missing there...

Lilyloo · 24/04/2011 21:33

I would leave my 9 and 6 year old (both can swim) to bathe alone whilst being 'around' to hear them if they needed me.

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RitaMorgan · 24/04/2011 21:34

Yes, 8 is old enough!

Portoeufino · 24/04/2011 21:36

My 7 year old has a shower alone and I would be happy to leave her in the bath. I usually pop in and out though otherwise she would be in there for hours....

LovelyDaffs · 24/04/2011 21:36

I haven't supervised my ds's bath for some time now he runs it, washes his hair, dries himself off and tidies it all up after himself. He's 8. I do keep an ear out for him and will call out every now and then.

colditz · 24/04/2011 21:39

I pop in and out for my 5 year old! he's very sensible and knows that if I call him, he must answer immediately or he will be made to get straight out. And no lying down.

LynetteScavo · 24/04/2011 21:40

I'd say when they can swim, but I would always stay in earshot...I even listen out when my 12 yo is in the shower.

When DD could swim I left her in the shower to anwer the door to my mother, who then pointed out DD could have slipped and banged her head....she had a bath mat, but still DM had a point.

colditz · 24/04/2011 21:40

When I say pop in and out, I don't just put him in then check on him - I stay with him, but have no qualms about nipping to fetch a towel, or pyjamas etc

LynetteScavo · 24/04/2011 21:41

Ooh, I hate that lying down thing, where you go in and they are on their back with their eyes closes and they don't respond. You know they are OK, but it's still not funny.

seeksnewnamewithgsoh · 24/04/2011 21:46

Actually Colditz, that sounds like what my mum did with me. There were very strict rules about being left on my own. Like not touching the taps,, or trying to reach another toy from the box next to the bath, or get in and out.

I guess that every child would be ready at a different time, but I think once they know they can get themselves up if they fell down in the water, and they can be trusted not to arse around, they could be left briefly.

MorticiaAddams · 26/04/2011 18:09

Mine were 7 but I still worry about them now.

alarkaspree · 26/04/2011 18:14

But Lynette, even a teenager or an adult could slip and bang their heads. I think your 'when they can swim' rule is a perfectly sensible one.

Mine are just 7 and just 5 and I don't completely supervise their baths, although I am always within earshot. But I would probably more closely supervise the 5 year old if he was by himself.

captainbarnacle · 26/04/2011 18:20

Surely it's nothing to do with whether they can swim or not? BEing able to swim is hardly a skill they can use in a 3ft long bath.

My bathroom is downstairs and in the middle of the house and my 4 yr old has been having a bath on his own for a couple of years now. By that I mean door wide open, me putting washing away or clearing pots about 6 ft from the door.

I think it's more of a case that kids slip and bang their heads and go under the water. Being able to swim wouldn't save them from that. If your child is sensible and can sit properly and do as their told then I am sure the risks are minimal.

I wouldn't recommend 2 yrs like DS1 - I know that is very young for the comfort zone of many posters. It's similar to when can you leave your children unsupervised - it depends entirely on the child and your home circumstances.

Eight years old sounds pretty much old enough to me :)

Original poster
NoWittyName · 26/04/2011 19:25

Thanks everyone - interesting posts from all. xx

OP posts:
crazygracieuk · 05/05/2011 10:01

My 4 year old( who can't swim) has a bath alone but the door is open so I can hear him and the water isn't very deep (about belly height?)

My problem with leaving him unattended is him emptying bottles of shampoo into the bath. Angry

My just 8 year old has her bath with the door closed as she's starting to want privacy in the bath.

Insomnia11 · 05/05/2011 13:36

I leave my 5 and 2 year old together in the bath for short periods while I go across the landing to put clothes away, also 5 year old if she has a bath alone can do it all herself really but still likes me to be there mostly.

maxybrown · 12/05/2011 17:52

Mine is 3 - BUT he has bath/shower fear so now way in the world he would lie down, the water must not touch his face in anway - so to be fair he hardly moves, but one of us is always a few feet from the door when he's in there. It is not fun bathing him, just very very stressful mostly! Unless he gets in with DH, he loves that.

theredhen · 12/05/2011 22:17

My DS was about 6 when I started leaving him alone but we had a downstairs bathroom and I was never far away.

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