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AIBU?

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Original poster

Sharing bath water

242 replies

WiganNorthWest · 23/03/2021 20:37

I remember we all used to use the same bath water one after another (parents too) when I was a kid but the thought of doing that now makes me cringe. Does anyone go in the same bath water after another family member?

OP posts:
Fembot123 · 24/03/2021 11:32

@Flowers24

Its unbelievable this is a thing, so dirty???
Getting the feeling you think it’s not nice 🤣🤣🤣
Chanjer · 24/03/2021 11:40

We both fit in the same bath quite easily so that's what we do most of the time

MiscUser9823 · 24/03/2021 11:56

@Sprig1

Yes, my husband gets in after me in the evening. My son (10) will sometimes come in with me.
Please tell me you mean 10 months.
Bluntness100 · 24/03/2021 12:03

I’d not be getting in someone’s used water and would rather forego a bath and just have shower before I’d consider bathing in used water.

There’s something about using someone else’s dirty bath water that is a bit too icky. I think if you’ve no shower and a bath is the only option them just fill it with thr min and use fresh water each time.

MiscUser9823 · 24/03/2021 12:06

Does anyone else also shower before they have a bath?

(I run the bath. Have a 2 min shower, then get in the bath. I dont want to be soaking in sweat/grim!)

M4J4 · 24/03/2021 12:08

@MiscUser9823 - I shower after a bath Grin

Flowers24 · 24/03/2021 12:09

Yes always clean quickly in shower first then bath

makesIlaugh · 24/03/2021 12:25

@YouAintKingDingALing

Yes. I used to with an ex. I would bathe first and then he might jump in once the water had cooled down. To be fair, neither or us were exactly dirty and it seemed such a huge waste of water otherwise (he had a v deep bath).

Also, my bath water was so damn hot that any germs would have been killed off!

I used to do this with my ex too but I now cringe at the thought. I think it is because in those days you had to wait forever for the immersion heater to get hot but now it's instant hot water?
donewithitalltodayandxmas · 24/03/2021 12:28

When my boys were little I used to bath then together as it was easier and most if my friends did
Plus they used to like jumping in the bath with my dh ( although he wasn't keen ) when little

donewithitalltodayandxmas · 24/03/2021 12:32

Lots of people saying ewww, yet how many have got in a hit tub or swimming pool or kids paddling pool
I know a swimming pool and hot tub have chemicals but still, think how lucky we are if we don't share
Lots of people have to because of the cost of water, heating water etc and they are still clean and hygenic

jessstan2 · 24/03/2021 12:36

People usually shower after being in a swimming pool.

crosspelican · 24/03/2021 12:39

Sometimes DH comes in and chases me out of the bath if he gets jealous. And I'll always do my best to chase a child into the bath after I've had it if DH hasn't stolen it.

I like my bath hot and bubbly so I never take it after them. DH sheds and I don't trust the kids not to wee in it.

minniemoocher · 24/03/2021 12:42

No, but I haven't even had a bath since moving in with dp to be honest. I have showers Grin

AnaisNun · 24/03/2021 12:43

Yeah I get in with/after DS (4) sometimes- although he’s starting to be slightly private about his body, so I think shared bath times will be a thing of the past soon (as in, in the bath together).

Doesn’t bother me at all with DS. The number of times he’s sneezed on me, licked me, peed on me, dropped food out of his mouth on me... I mean... he lived in my body relatively recently. I can’t be any more squeamish about his gunk and excretions than I can my own, while he’s this small.

I feel a bit queasy at the thought of sharing with anyone else though. Don’t even particularly like swimming pools for that reason tbh.

mummywithhermini · 24/03/2021 12:44

I remember my babysitter was horrified when I confirmed to her that no, myself and my siblings did not bathe together and we certainly didn't share the same bath water .
Nosy cow anyway.

NurseButtercup · 24/03/2021 12:50

Lots of people saying ewww, yet how many have got in a hit tub or swimming pool or kids paddling pool

What a strange comparison? Nobody gets in a swimming pool or hot tub to clean their skin.

2bazookas · 24/03/2021 13:01

When we got married, we lived in a flat that didn't have its own bathroom. There was one bathroom shared between us, the landlady and her lodger. LL controlled the hot water supply and we were rationed to one bath per person per week. DH and I always shared baths so we got 2. The rest of the time we washed in minute kitchen sink.

  Since lockdown he's not been sleeping  as well so has a bath before bed  every night. I'd happily share it except I haven't had or wanted  a bath for over a decade, I  prefer  showers.  As it happens our shower is a wetroom with loads of room for two  together and we do still enjoy an occasional shared shower.   (Nothing   to do  with saving hot water  or  personal hygeine)/.
jessstan2 · 24/03/2021 13:07

@AnaisNun

Yeah I get in with/after DS (4) sometimes- although he’s starting to be slightly private about his body, so I think shared bath times will be a thing of the past soon (as in, in the bath together).

Doesn’t bother me at all with DS. The number of times he’s sneezed on me, licked me, peed on me, dropped food out of his mouth on me... I mean... he lived in my body relatively recently. I can’t be any more squeamish about his gunk and excretions than I can my own, while he’s this small.

I feel a bit queasy at the thought of sharing with anyone else though. Don’t even particularly like swimming pools for that reason tbh.

It's nice that you bathe with your little son. I did the same, rinsing us off with the over-bath shower afterwards, but I think most parents do. I only shower nowadays.
Bluntness100 · 24/03/2021 13:08

Lots of people saying ewww, yet how many have got in a hit tub or swimming pool or kids paddling pool

Just to be clear, with the exceptions of a child’s paddling pool you’re supposed to shower before you get in swimming pools or public hot tubs and they are chemically treated to kill harmful bacteria. You are not supposed to get in them and give your arse a good wash. People don’t like that.

Paspourmoi · 24/03/2021 13:11

Always bath the children (9 and 7) together - DD is starting to sometimes ask for separate baths now because she likes to have space to wallow, but more often than not they prefer to be together so they can play.
I usually don’t fancy a bath that early in the evening, but if I did I’d just top theirs up with hot and get in. DH hardly ever has a bath, but there have certainly been times when I’ve had one and have asked if he’d like me to leave the water for him. Totally normal within families, in my experience anyway!

Bluntness100 · 24/03/2021 13:19

Isn’t 9 and 7 a little old to bath together unless they are both girls?

backinthedhss · 24/03/2021 13:25

These threads always remind me of going to an all girls school when everyone shouted "groooosssss" at the most innocuous thing.

I think it's totally fine to share bath water if you're not filthy. If you don't want to equally fine but there's no need to go on about how gross it is. It really isn't.

Paspourmoi · 24/03/2021 13:28

I’m happy to be led by them on that Bluntness (DC2 is a boy). As I say, DD is starting to ask for separate baths occasionally (she’s literally just turned 9), so I imagine it’ll naturally dwindle over the next few months. But quite often she’ll choose to jump in with her brother because they like to play together, and I don’t want to tell them they can’t do that anymore if they’re both still happy with it and both still physically children.

Flowers24 · 24/03/2021 13:33

@Paspourmoi

Always bath the children (9 and 7) together - DD is starting to sometimes ask for separate baths now because she likes to have space to wallow, but more often than not they prefer to be together so they can play. I usually don’t fancy a bath that early in the evening, but if I did I’d just top theirs up with hot and get in. DH hardly ever has a bath, but there have certainly been times when I’ve had one and have asked if he’d like me to leave the water for him. Totally normal within families, in my experience anyway!
How odd bathing 9 and 7 year old together? 9 is way too old !
Bluntness100 · 24/03/2021 13:36

@Paspourmoi

I’m happy to be led by them on that Bluntness (DC2 is a boy). As I say, DD is starting to ask for separate baths occasionally (she’s literally just turned 9), so I imagine it’ll naturally dwindle over the next few months. But quite often she’ll choose to jump in with her brother because they like to play together, and I don’t want to tell them they can’t do that anymore if they’re both still happy with it and both still physically children.
Out of curiosity do you offer her a seperate bath. Why does she need to ask for one? And if she does, do you always say yes? Is it clear to her she’s allowed to ask for them separately and that at her age body privacy is the norm? Sometimes children do what’s expected of them as opposed to asking. Nine year old girls are normally quite private about their bodies and don’t want to get naked in front of their brothers.
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