Would it BU to leave DS alone in the bath briefly?

[GingerPCatt]

I haven't done this I just want opinions

Due to a change at DHs work I'll be alone at night to get DS dinner bath and bed. He's 15 mo and loves having a bath. WIBU to leave him alone for a couple of minutes to tidy the kitchen ect? He's very physically capable and I only fill the bath a few inches. He's my PFB and I'm not sure when people start leaving kids alone in the bath. I don't think he'd like it if I'm still watching him in the bath when he's 15 :-)

Yes! I would be exceedingly U

No, at that age never.

Mine are 5 and 3 and I do leave them but I remain in ear shot. If it goes quiet then I check! This house is a downstairs bathroom and you can see all through the length of the house so I can happily tidy living room or kitchen etc while they are in the bath because I can still see them. Though these days I tend to be putting the baby's pjs on while big ones are in the bath! Before here we had a normal upstairs bathroom, ds1 was 2 and again I did leave him but just over the hall to tidy bedroom/sort out baby dd and chatting to him all the time.

At even thinking about leaving a 15mo alone in the bath. Different children are ready at different ages, but I have stayed in the room with all 4 of mine until they are at least 5yo.

My 8yo with SN's, I still have to stay in the room with, because he 'lolls' over to the side as he has low core muscle tone, and needs someone there to ensure he doesn't drown.

I leave the four year old, with the door open, and yelling "are you OK?" every minute or so. She is very sensible, and I wouldn't leave her if she wasn't.

I wouldn't dream of leaving the 14 month old, she regularly slips over even though I am right by the side of the bath, plus she tries to climb out, so she could nose dive onto the tiles as well as slipping under the water. I don't even look away from her when she is in the bath - I once left the towel on the other side of the door, so I just had to take her out naked and snuggle her into my shirt.

Some charming replies here. I'm sure the OP will be really encouraged to post again, next time she needs parenting advice.

Do we think the op has got the message?

I think you will probably know when your child is ready to be left and it will start in controlled circumstances. Our bathroom is off the kitchen for example and I can see dd in the bath at all times. Aged 3 I started drying up while she was in the bath. She was around 4 or 5 feet away from me and would chat, sing, play games. Gradually I'd move further into the kitchen but still in sight. I insisted on a stream of conversation or singing at all times. It's a gradual thing and you start it once you are sure they grasp basic rules. DD had to know not to touch the taps, not to stand up and not to lean over the side and to demonstrate this at every bathtime before I even considered it. She's 5.4 now and will start running her own bath and can get in and out alone.

Just did a big guffaw at Bertie's post.

Is this your son Bertie?

When my DB was about 2.5, my DF left the bathroom for about a minute to grab a towel from the hall radiator, when my DF got back to the bathroom DB was under the water turning blue as DB had had a fit in the bath (unbeknown to them he was coming down with a bad virus.) Fortunately DU was first aid trained and gave CPR to my DB but I will never forget my DM screams. I'm sure lots of people have left their DC and it's been fine but for me it's not worth the risk, especially at 15 months.

I wouldn't, I still never leave ds (3.3) alone in the bath.