to think "solo bathtime" it not really a big deal?

[FuckedOfftotheFarSideofFuck]

there are a few mum friends of mine who occasionally post fearful status updates/tweets about having to do bathtime for their 2 (or more) kids all on their own without help of their DH/DP/OH.

Surely this is not a big deal?! My DH is often not home at the DCs bathtime and I know I am not alone in this for those with and without partners/husbands/whatever.

Obviously an extra pair of hands is useful but it's not exactly a difficult thing without the extra pair...

I like the idea of whole body hair dryers

I must be in the pathetic minority then, because I hate solo bathtimes. My DS are 4 and 1 and are good kids, but if I'm bathing the little one, the older one either bugs me incessantly or winds himself into a tizz about 'being lonely'. And if I'm bathing the big one the little one is getting into mischief or going crazy for the boob. But above all that, much as I love them, I'm just not that great with kids and feel in constant firefighting mode rather than chilled out about it. So yes, I can see where the OP's friends are coming from, altho I've never FB'd about it or anything.

And as for the comment about wondering how these people would cope as lone parents - well, obviously. If it happened, we've have to cope with it. But it's not like some pre-requisite for being a mother, is it? That you would be brilliant at it without a partner around? You can only be as you are and do your best.

My dh works till very late so is never home at bathtimes, I've always done it by myself. Dcs are 4 years apart (now 3 and 7).

I can't really see why you need two pairs of hands though I wouldn't mind if DH was home to take over sometimes!

Should add that I'm not a big fan of bathtime, too much splashing and flooding and general chaos. Has improved since 3yo suddenly tolerates hairwashing, it's definitely easier without the bloodcurdling screams.

I LOVE bathtime for the two boys. I can plonk them both in and they play while I MN on the iPad. I wash both of them at some stage and then they play for another while and I MN some more and then out and into jammies. Brilliant!

Bath time is relaxation time in my house on a Sunday night. Oldest is 5 and now washes the 2 year old whilst I dick about on my iPad, wine in hand. Is this not how you are supposed to do it?

I bloody hate bath times. Dp always does it

Well said pink

I hate the dinner/bath/bed faff.
I tend to shut down physically and mentally at about 5.30pm which is helpful .

DH usually comes home just as the DC are getting out of the bath, so usually it's something I do on my own.

It was only a bit tricky when DS2 was a small baby and bf all the time. Once he got part that stage it wasn't too much trouble. Now it's easy as they both go in together. That's until DS2 poos in the bath...

It has never occurred to me that lots (most?) people do bath time with both parents. Why?? Unless your children have particular needs, surely it's not necessary?

I don't like doing mine without DH (but I do) they hate having their hair washed and dc2 throws a huge tantrum when she gets (is taken) out of the bath. It's just easier if I can deal with DC2 and DH looks after DC1 so she can have a nice bath / isn't left shivering waiting to be dried. Can't leave DC2 and dry DC1 or 2 would climb back in the bath. Seems unfair to take the older one out first (she'd have a tantrum then anyway).
Would never FB it tho, presumably they were meant to be lighthearted 'urgh' type posts rather than desperate appeals for help though.
Not very nice of OP to be so lacking in understanding - we all like / dislike different things.

Dh is not often home before 8pm during the week. If he was here at bathtime I sure as hell wouldn't be doing it with him, you'd find me lying on the sofa with a glass of wine most likely.

I really don't see how bathing children is a 2 person job but then I find most things easier to get on with on my own, dh just gets under my feet

Once my youngest is able to sit up on his own in the bath it will no longer be a big deal, But I have found bathing toddler and baby a bit of a challenge.

it is a bit tricky with a small (non-sitting) baby and a wild toddler
but DH has always made it a point of honour to fly solo - i only do it if he's working late. once everyone can sit up it's a total non-issue

One person does bathtime for 2DC in our house - usually me as DP is often still at work, and gets more stressed out by the squabbling and shouting. If it's going well though and they are playing happily, I don't mind it - I can read a magazine or browse on ipad.

Bedtime however is a right bugger, because both DC want full attention and cuddles in their own beds and get upset when I have to leave to go to the other one. My heart sinks when DP is going to be out for bedtime. He does try to make up for it on the nights he's in.

I remember the first time I did dinner, bath and bed on my own, I was incredibly proud and may even have posted about it on Facebook. It seemed a big thing at the time. Now it's an every night occurrence since DH is never home before 9pm and usually slopes off to tidy up watch sport while I do it at weekends.

Now my DCs are 5 and 3, it's no problem at all.

However, when they were tiny, I hated bathing them by myself. TBH, I really can't remember why. I know I was suffering from stress/depression, and found a lot of things difficult to do by myself (although I am a SAHM so obviously managed 90% of the childcare by myself!) and maybe bathtime was just a step too far. DH was always round in the evening, so he'd bath them while I got pyjamas, nappies and bottles ready, then we'd dry and dress one each.

And to the person who asked how we'd manage as single parents - well I'd be a shit single parent, and lonely, but I dare say I'd manage if I had to.

Bathing multiple children is much easier if you can just hand the first one to be removed from the bath to someone else, while you get the next one out.

Pathetic or not, I don't think I bathed the twins alone, until they were over seven months.

Blimey there is an awful lot of, competitive, I can bath 5 tiny dcs, whilst holding them in a drs waiting room, then we all get onto a bus and balance on one seat and they all sit quietly oh and did i mention I do it all on my own, so why can't everyone else - type posts on mumsnet at the moment.

I think we could all be a bit kinder too each other, and realise we are all different people with different lives and different ways of coping and doing stuff.

Or would mumsnet implode if this happened?!

We have 4 kids. They are all under 6 and go in one after the other. I wash and hubby dries or vice versa. If either of us aren't there it is considerably more difficult, but not impossible. I think it's just that when you're used to doing things acertain way then an unexpected change throws you off kilter a bit.

Oh can't be doing with soft shits.

some parents are just over dramatic with everything . its a bath it isnt hard work i think op your friends are expecting to much ,

Hazeyjane, I'm sorry to be the one to break it to you, but you've COMPLETELY missed the point of AIBU! The aim for some posters is to make us less capable parents to feel even worse than we already do, whilst polishing their own halos .