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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not know how

29 replies

MoodShiteing · 03/10/2020 15:51

to bathe?

I can shower just fine, but I can't seem to master this lovely relaxing bath thing that other people seem to enjoy so much.

I got soaked coming home from work today and could just picture myself getting into a lovely warm bubbly bath to warm up.

In reality, I had to wait about six years for the damn thing to fill up, gather all my stuff from the shower room and relocate it to the bath, locate a lighter for the candles etc etc.

When I dipped my toes in it was too hot, then too cold, I nearly broke my neck actually getting in then I just felt hot and sweaty and got out after 20 mins. Now all I'm left with is disappointment and a bath to clean.

Where am I going wrong? I even put the fancy mood-lighting on ffs.

YABU - Baths are lovely
YANBU - Baths are shite.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 03/10/2020 15:54

Baths are lovely if you get them right

I love a good soak with my book and just relaxing

Original poster
MoodShiteing · 03/10/2020 15:55

I took my book in butnI was so uncomfortable I didn't even want to read it.

OP posts:
lazylinguist · 03/10/2020 15:57

Not sure why it's so hard tbh! I've never messed about with candles etc - don't see the point! My bath already has everything I need next to it. As does the shower (in a different bathroom). I check the temperature as it's running and have never had any problems getting in or out, even when fairly heavily pregnant. If you find it unpleasant or sweaty though, maybe baths really aren't for you!

DramaAlpaca · 03/10/2020 15:58

This is why I only ever take baths in hotels.

SchrodingersImmigrant · 03/10/2020 16:00

Open taps, pour nice smelling bubble bath, go get book, brush and tie hair, light candle (lighter is in a bathroom), get in.

Maybe you need to take some steps off? What all staff did you have to gather? And what makes a massive difference is a bath pillow. Magic.

Heartofstrings · 03/10/2020 16:01

Window open while in the bath. Game changer...

Original poster
MoodShiteing · 03/10/2020 16:03

I had to bring all the nice smelly stuff through from the shower room. I almost never use the bath so its not worth having two sets of stuff.

Obviously if I was jumping in for a quick scrub I wouldn't faff about with books and candles but I was hoping for that warm, fuzzy, relaxed experience that other people rave about.

I can see how a bath pillow might help though.

OP posts:
Original poster
MoodShiteing · 03/10/2020 16:04

@Heartofstrings

Window open while in the bath. Game changer...
My bathroom doesn't have a window Hmm
OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2020 16:07

I hate baths. The thought is always better than the reality. I never feel clean after a bath either. Tried wine, candle, books, watching the Ipad but no, not for me.

lazylinguist · 03/10/2020 16:09

I think maybe part of the mistake is thinking that you need all kinds of bath stuff, candles, books etc to make it relaxing. Water at the right temperature is what makes it relaxing. Maybe a bit of bath oil or bubble bath, which you presumably would keep by the bath as you wouldn't use it in the shower. That's it. A bath is my Sunday treat. I shower the rest of the time, because all I need is to get clean quickly.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2020 16:13

You should never add anything to a bath but yourself according to a gynaecologist I knew. Shock Grin They probably had a point. Bath bombs and bath pearls etc are not great.

lazylinguist · 03/10/2020 16:17

You should never add anything to a bath but yourself according to a gynaecologist I knew. shock grin They probably had a point. Bath bombs and bath pearls etc are not great.

I've heard this too. But in all my 48 years I've never been caused the slightest irritation or problem ('intimate' or otherwise Grin) by bath products of any kind. And I'm not aware of having particularly cast-iron bits!

Kaiserin · 03/10/2020 16:18

Why do you have to over complicate things?

Bring one towel and (optional) one favourite smelly (Radox bath bubbles are fine).
Put plug in.
Switch hot and cold tap on and (optional) add smelly.
Check temperature, and adjust taps accordingly.
As soon as the temperature feels right, keep taps on, get naked (just plop your stuff on the floor) and get in.
Enjoy the warmth.
Switch taps off before things overflow.
Enjoy the warmth.
Top up with hot water whenever the water gets too chilly.
Enjoy the warmth.
Get out before your skin is completely melted.
Wrap yourself in towel and have a lie down.
Remember to empty the bath at some point, and pick up your clothes (can wait...)

If you can't enjoy that, then no books or candles or glass if wine will ever make the whole process more pleasurable.

DappledThings · 03/10/2020 16:20

Game changer for me was a bath thermometer. Bought one when we had DC and now I still use it. Could never get the temp right before,now I know to run it to 41 and it's just right.

tobee · 03/10/2020 16:29

If no window, door open a bit? Works for me as long as my family are out. Otherwise it's too steamy.

Bettina500 · 03/10/2020 16:29

Sounds like you had it too hot, I get hot and bothered if the water's too hot.
You can't beat a bath when you're cold, it warms you through like nothing else.
I have a wash with shower gel before I get out though otherwise I don't feel clean

CounsellorTroi · 03/10/2020 16:30

I used to bloody love baths. Then I got a bout of inflammatory arthritis affecting my knees. Getting down in the bath was a physical impossibility for about six months. I missed my baths. But by the time I was able to manage it I found I couldn't be bothered any more and am quite happy with showers!

Bargebill19 · 03/10/2020 16:32

Powerful shower for me 😁. I can get in a bath ... but getting out is problematic. Friends are saying the same. I suspect baths are for a certain type or age of person.

Sparklingbrook · 03/10/2020 16:34

@lazylinguist

You should never add anything to a bath but yourself according to a gynaecologist I knew. shock grin They probably had a point. Bath bombs and bath pearls etc are not great.

I've heard this too. But in all my 48 years I've never been caused the slightest irritation or problem ('intimate' or otherwise Grin) by bath products of any kind. And I'm not aware of having particularly cast-iron bits!

Me neither but the message stuck and I didn't want to risk it. Grin I do like the clean feeling of getting out of the shower though-never get that with a bath. I would need a shower afterwards.
fairydustandpixies · 03/10/2020 16:34

YANBU!

Ernieshere · 03/10/2020 16:36

YABU to clean it afterwards

Smallsteps88 · 03/10/2020 16:36

I was going to post a similar thread last weekend.

I really wish I could enjoy a bath, and I really look forward to a bath when I know I’m going to have one but I can never last longer than 10 minutes. I Don't get it. The temperature is right, the candles, the bubbles, laptop set up with a show on. Everything is perfect. But I just want to get out within minutes. I don’t get it.

YukoandHiro · 03/10/2020 16:41

It depends on the actual bath. In our current house, it's just not a comfortable shape. Had one the other day to deal with pregnancy aches and pains and I was fed up within 10 mins.
I love a really good hotel bath

LynetteScavo · 03/10/2020 18:03

YANBU - I don't get baths. I get in then wonder what to do next. I lose all sense of time in a shower though, and could stand under running water for hours. Showers are very under rated.

CSIblonde · 03/10/2020 18:06

Never get straight in, it's always too hot. Potter for 5mins, get your book etc once it's run. Test, then get in. You don't need candles etc. Folded handtowel on the back for your head.