Am I bathing my kids enough?

[StrangeToSee]

DD (7) and DS (5) both really dislike baths and showers. No idea why, DS even wears goggles in the shower!

Currently I force them to have a bath twice a week (with soap, hair wash and hosed down with the shower) is that enough?

They both have a clean set of school uniform each day and get their faces washed, bottoms wiped and teeth brushed twice a day.

To me they don’t smell but as their mum maybe I don’t notice?

At weekends and holidays both refuse to get dressed unless we’re going out or have visitors. So I’ve ensured they have plain pjs that pass as loungewear. A quick face wash and teeth brush is all they’ll tolerate. Soon as we get home or guests leave they change back into PJs?!

If we have visitors or are going out I make them have an extra bath that morning (kicking and screaming and soaking the floor!)

WWYD?

I'm sorry but it's definitely a bit gross. Do they not run round getting sweaty at school? My kids always come out of school/nursery looking pretty grubby or hot and bothered. Plus there's the washing behind the foreskin for the boys which needs done daily.

Sometimes (on PE days) they come out looking sweaty and hot, that’s normally mid-week bath night.
Son is circumcised so don’t need to worry about foreskin hygiene fortunately, but I do give him a daily flannel wash in that area (penis, groin, bum). They wipe themselves after a poo but kids don’t always do a great job of it!*

I wonder how often their sheets are changed if they're not clean when they're getting into bed of an evening. Do they have clean Pjs every night?

Sheets changed weekly, clean PJs every night. Clean pillowslip on bath nights.

once in the bath they’re happy playing until it’s hair wash time.

You only need to wash their hair once a week or so at that age, unless they've been playing out and got very muddy.

Do they go swimming? Swimming lessons are a good way to get past being bothered about water on face/eyes etc.

Do they go swimming? Swimming lessons are a good way to get past being bothered about water on face/eyes etc

Oddly they both love swimming. And playing with the hosepipe in the garden, soaking each other. It’s just baths and showers they make a huge fuss about. If I don’t keep an eye on DS he plays then climbs out before I’ve had a chance to wash him!

DH and I both shower daily and make a point of saying how nice it is feeling fresh and clean.

Hands.

Face, behind ears, neck.

Under arms.

Umbilicus.

Crotch and surrounding areas.

Feet.

Use a sponge.

By the time that's finished, they may as well have had a shower.

It's quite unusual for children not to enjoy baths and showers.

Presumably they'll get dressed at weekends if they are going somewhere.

Too much washing nowadays.

I find it easier to put mine in the bath or shower compared to washing them down from head to toe at the sink tbh. If I try and wash mine out the bath they just run away and fidget 😅 they get their faces washed first thing and throughout the day when needed but then a soak in the bath or shower in the evenings and sponge/flannel themselves in there.

Is this what they are used to, or were they previously washed ans changed daily? Do you and your husband shower/bathe and get dressed daily?

I would start doing a wash down at the sink. So flannel with warmish water then wipe them down, letting the flannel get cool, splash about a bit, a cold bathroom would help here too, take your time.
I would think a few weeks of that and they'll beg for a warm shower.