To ask how to make the bathtime routine easier and quicker with multiple DCs?

[CurrantAffair]

Have 4 kids. Eldest is 7 and well able to shower independently, though enjoys it a little too much so it is difficult to get them out again once they've gone in (so they're usually last in line).

Younger 3 include 2 girls with long hair and a toddler. Bathtime (99% of the time a shower rather than bath) is such a fucking faff I absolutely dread it. As it is, we do showers on a Sunday where hair gets washed, and one shower midweek. But it takes so fricking long (esp the Sunday one with hair drying etc). I try to minimize it by taking the toddler in with me an odd morning, so at least then it's just the older ones that need washing in the evenings. But fuck me, it's a lengthy process! Not helped by the fact that we have activities 3 evenings a week which make it all the more difficult.

The main time consuming issue seems to be when one girl comes out, the other goes in, but can't come out until I've gotten the first one sorted with body lotion etc. DH is usually watching the toddler while this is going on so can't really help.

How can I make this easier and quicker for everyone?

[Santahasjoinedww]

Compile all necessary items and take into the bathroom. . Shove the dc all in a bubble bath. Wash /rinse /dress one at a time in the bathroom.. I had 4 under 7 at one time. Then 3 under 3!!

[HollowTalk]

Why are they having body lotion on? When they get out, could they put a towel around themselves and go to their dad? He could have their pyjamas with him and get them dry and dressed.

[Violet1988]

Is it a shower seperate from the bath? If so the youngest three in the bath while the oldest showers?

[Sprig1]

Why the body lotion? Would a bath be easier? Why aren't you doing baths now?

[CurrantAffair]

The body lotion is because of eczema so is necessary.

I so so wish we had a shower with separate bath but alas, not!

I could potentially bung the 2 girls in the bath together, but baths usually take longer and also the water would be gone cold for oldest (cue much moaning).

Wish a ihad a wet room so I could shivae all 4 in and hose them down 😂

[Haveyoubrushedyourteethtoday]

If the hair is an issue then cut it to shoulder length?

[OppsUpsSide]

You can’t, it just is a faff. It gets easier as they get older though. I thought at one point showers would be easier but it’s actually much easier to have two in the bath at the same time, and they come out cleaner.

[Akire]

Can the cream wait until everyone is out and dressed and hair dried? Unless it does have to go wet skin and they have stand there for it dry before can get dressed.

Delay second child going in shower until first one is all ready to go. It may string out time over all but it feel less stressed and rushed if asking for help with hair washing or want to come out and your rushing around.

[GrapefruitPink]

It's a military operation.

Toddler in first.
Then the two girls.
7 year old has shower in peace.

Do you have a partner?

One does the toddler, other the girls, alternate every night.
Hair wash days, take in turns for this also as it's a shit job really.

Everything ready for everyone before hand to dry, cream on and into pyjamas

[UntilYourNextHairBrainedScheme]

I only have 3 but they still bathed together at that age - or at least the younger two did and the eldest in the separate shower (appreciate you don't have a separate shower).

Could your eldest shower in the morning, at least on Sunday?

We only have one shower and two teens and a pre teen now - eldest ahowers in the mornings, youngest baths in the evening then middle one showers (I either get up really early and shower if I'm on an early or pull on yesterday's clothes before they leave for school and shower and dress in fresh clothes after they've gone to school if on a late).

Not everyone has to shower in the same "shift" and under 6s can definitely bath together unless they don't get on.

[Paddingtonsmarmlade]

If dad is watching toddler could he not have pjs and lotion? Wash one dd sent out in towel for dad to lotion and dress, bring second out dad lotions and dresses whilst you dry hair on first dd. Dad baths toddler whilst you're drying second dds hair.

[Flocon]

Hair cuts?

[ReadtheFT]

First girl in the shower, then out qith a towel, stand qoth you whilst second girls gets in, she enjoys 2mkn of hot water whilst u do lotion and either pjs in there or send her to get dressed herself. Second one washed then out and lotioned and dressed, or sent to get dressed. Then toddler, bundle up in a towel and call eldest to go get his shower.

[ReadtheFT]

When younger three are done they can have their hair dried, can stay with a hair turbant or towel in the Meanwhile

[megletthesecond]

Have you tried showering the little ones? My dc's eczema healed up when I stopped baths at 2/3yrs.

[Just2MoreSeasons]

I'm going to say take them swimming at the weekend. All have a hot soapy shower and a hair wash and pjs on at the pool. Plenty of showers and a lot more fun!

[Notoironing]

I’d love to know. Bath time for my 3 aged 3,6,8 takes about an hour and a half. Mainly because the two youngest love the bath so much they won’t get out! And the oldest is so reluctant she won’t get in for ages. I just try to treat it as bonding time and sit in there chatting. Not helpful on school nights though when we don’t get back until 6pm

[mathanxiety]

Activities three evenings a week for kids 7 and under is crazy.

Cut out the activities.

[megletthesecond]

I bet the sports centre has a water softener too. I'm sure ours does.

[declutteringmymind]

When they're older, book swimming lessons on a Wednesday night.

[mathanxiety]

After you've eliminated the evening activities, you are not confined to one possible bath time midweek. You could do two a night over two evenings. Two girls in bath one night, toddler and older girl another night, or spread these two out.

[Kanaloa]

Cut the girls’ hair shorter to minimise hassle washing and drying. Mine both had short hair. Eldest now has long by her own choice but that’s only because she can wash, dry, and brush it.

Given that they only shower twice a week can you do it on a Sunday morning rather than evening? I find mine drag their feet a lot longer when they know it’s bath then bed.

[Caspianberg]

Run bath. Youngest in first, 5 mins play, out to dh and he can get dressed. Meanwhile middle two into same bath. Can wash hair etc on both.
Empty bath, send eldest into shower. Take older two to cream etc.
dh has toddler and can keep eye on 7 year old as needed.

[Gingersay]

My 2 dds shared a bath till they were 6 and 8. They both soaped up the other ones hair and all I had to do was rinse it. One out handed to DH with hooded towel other one out hooded towel on. First one would be dry by time I come through with the other jammies on hair combed, never dried with hair dryer.

[Marmelace]

@Kanaloa

Cut the girls’ hair shorter to minimise hassle washing and drying. Mine both had short hair. Eldest now has long by her own choice but that’s only because she can wash, dry, and brush it.

Given that they only shower twice a week can you do it on a Sunday morning rather than evening? I find mine drag their feet a lot longer when they know it’s bath then bed.

My mum kept my hair really short and made me wear grey socks, everyone thought I was a boy, I hated it. Mind it was just a small part of her discard for me.