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?

[Steelesauce]

My 3 are done every night. Youngest (3) in either bath or shower first. Middle one next (6) while I sort the youngest out. Then the eldest (9). Takes half hour. I don't stand for messing about and taking forever. Washed, 5min play and out. The older 2 can dry and get their pjs on themselves.

[Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies]

Have you ever read Jill Murphy’s Large family story, Five Minutes Peace? That’s how I got my dc into the bath. If I’d had enough by 5 o’clock, I’d run a bath then for an early bedtime.

[stairgates]

I stick the 3 youngest in the bath together and use the time they are splashing around to clean the bathroom saves a job during the day, they are boys so hair washing and drying takes a fraction of the time as all have an inch of hair so not much help Im afraid.

[Steelesauce]

I also bribe with tea and biscuits. You get to come back downstairs for a milky tea and a couple of biscuits if you get out in time

[CurrantAffair]

I love the idea of swimming, it's genius!!

The activities are a mix of DC activities and also myself and DH who both have commitments a few evenings a week, and it's difficult enough those evenings to get the kids fed and to bed, so I wouldn't expect either of us to volunteer to do the showers on those evenings.

I've been wondering if it would work better in a rota as a few of you have suggested. We did have a thing going last year where the eldest (shower hogger) would have one a few mornings a week. Tbh I hate the whole thing so much that I would nearly volunteer to bring the girls in with me on alternate mornings just to get it done. It's just so hard to find time in the evenings.

Swimming is deffo my fave idea though, I will look into that.

[Hercisback]

Two boys under 5 here but I get in the shower and do the washing, they join me for 3 mins each. Dad gets them out and dry.

Dad can watch a toddler and help with bathtime.

[CurrantAffair]

Before I went back to work full time, I would often do the evening shower at around 5pm before back down for tea and an hour of TV before bed and it worked well as they all had the incentive of food and TV afterwards. Both DH and I work full time now though and both only get home at 6pm, and then it's a rush to get food, make sure homework is done, do activities and spend a little bit of family time before bed.

[Kanaloa]

@Marmelace

I’ve not scalped them. They had bobbed hairstyles.

Maybe you hated it but you might also have hated it if your mum insisted you had waist length hair and spent ages washing, drying, brushing, and styling it.

We all make choices for our kids, that’s being a parent. Doubt my kids are going to be traumatised by having a sensible hairstyle for their formative years.

[Kanaloa]

And as I specifically said my eldest who is 10 has longer hair now she is old enough to care for it. The six year old still has short hair. Practical for playing and activities, easy for washing, no chasing round with a brush and bobble. Certainly never mistaken for a boy

[CurrantAffair]

Will check out the Jill Murphy book too thanks

[CurrantAffair]

Just realised the Jill Murphy book is actually a kids story and not a helpful parenting book 😂

[MotherWol]

Could you plait their hair while wet instead of drying it? Not a fancy Elsa braid, just a simple plait to keep it from tangling while they sleep.

[Marmelace]

[quote Kanaloa]@Marmelace

I’ve not scalped them. They had bobbed hairstyles.

Maybe you hated it but you might also have hated it if your mum insisted you had waist length hair and spent ages washing, drying, brushing, and styling it.

We all make choices for our kids, that’s being a parent. Doubt my kids are going to be traumatised by having a sensible hairstyle for their formative years.[/quote]
I'm sorry, I was projecting a bit there and being a bit triggery. I'm not normally so sensitive.

[Kanaloa]

It’s fine. When you have had that experience obviously normal things like a haircut can be indicative of a bigger experience, things that in a normal loving home are just everyday and non harmful are used in such a way to become part of the pattern.

[Marmelace]

@Kanaloa

It’s fine. When you have had that experience obviously normal things like a haircut can be indicative of a bigger experience, things that in a normal loving home are just everyday and non harmful are used in such a way to become part of the pattern.

Thank you for being so understanding.

[Kanaloa]

No I was defensive as well so it’s as much me as you! I’m sorry your mum used your appearance in that way. It’s really cruel to deliberately make a child stand out to their peers knowing that they might be teased or picked on. Even something like the wrong socks is enough to be the odd one out in primary school.

[CurrantAffair]

I've tried plaiting the hair while wet but then it's still been wet when they wake, and was causing itching/dandruff.

I think the hair is part of the issue but it's definitely not the main cause. It's just such a drawn out faffy process all in all 🙈

[Flocon]

Can you get the 7 year old involved with hair drying the younger ones?

[Caterina99]

How long is the cream and pjs taking that it’s slowing down the whole process? I have 2 eczema kids so appreciate the faff, but it still only takes a couple of min to do really. Could you bring the cream and pjs into the bathroom and then send the done one to DH to supervise?

Definitely haircuts if the long hair is causing issues. Doesn’t have to be a buzz cut, just shoulder length or something that will dry faster.

7 year old needs to be independent and just chivied to hurry up. I feel you there as my 6.5 year old would be in there for hours. Maybe they and toddler can be one night and the younger ones together another night rather than all together?

Also I found an incentive for getting out of the bath helpful. Snack or tv/book time etc

[Thefantasticfour]

I've got four and my eldest is 6, I shower the baby first then while I get the baby dressed I shove the boys in the bath with the shower on, it only takes 2mins to put the baby's clothes on so they usually pick a couple of toys each and play, one of the boys has long hair so that gets a quick wash while the 4 year old has a go at washing his body, give them both a scrub down and rinse, take them both into their room to put their pj's on whilst the baby sits in her walker and the eldest jumps in the shower and washes her body. She has really long hair so on hair wash nights I go back in and wash her hair, otherwise I leave her pj's in the bathroom and she gets herself dressed and comes down when she's ready, by this point the baby's usually having her bottle and everyone's ready for story and bed. The only tip I can give is have all nappies, pj's, towels etc ready in the bathroom and have someone doing something while you're doing something else. The older they're getting the easier though!

[Nanny0gg]

[quote Kanaloa]@Marmelace

I’ve not scalped them. They had bobbed hairstyles.

Maybe you hated it but you might also have hated it if your mum insisted you had waist length hair and spent ages washing, drying, brushing, and styling it.

We all make choices for our kids, that’s being a parent. Doubt my kids are going to be traumatised by having a sensible hairstyle for their formative years.[/quote]
Well, mine still haven't forgiven me years later!

But I don't care. Fancy hair wasn't my thing and I didn't have the time. (We're not talking short back and sides here, they still looked really nice)

Soon as they could look after it themselves they styled it how they liked.

[DinosApple]

You've got my sympathy OP, I only have two but I loved swimming nights when they were little because they'd both have a shower and hair wash in under 5 minutes.

Baths at the weekend took ages!

[CurrantAffair]

I tried getting the 7yo involved in the hair drying and tbf he was willing, but crap at brushing while drying, so the hair ended up dryish but very knotted 🙈

I think maybe I need to get better at doing cream and pjs for one in the bathroom while the other is in the shower, plus having all towels and pjs etc laid out and ready beforehand.

[Lottieskeeper]

Might be controversial but do they need to wash so often at that age and certainly in winter?

My kids get 2 baths a week this time of year, my DDs hair is put up in a high bun for one of her baths and it only gets washed once a week. And honestly her hair is beautiful and she doesn't smell.
When they get older and start to smell more they can wash themselves.

[Kanaloa]

They’re already only showering twice a week? I don’t think it could really be cut down much more.