What age should kids stop sharing baths?

[Mayorq]

Posting for traffic.

My daughter and her boy cousin l, who lives in a different country so only see each other every 6 months or so, have always just been chucked in the bath together when we're on holidays since they were born (they were born 3 weeks apart)

I'd never had any Issue with this, but just en route to visit now and it popped in to my head that I'm not sure if they're now being too old to do it.

They're both just turned 5.

Nobody else seems to think twice about it and my daughter herself mentioned playing in the bath excitedly the other day so I'm probably worrying where there's no need.

Just wondering when others found it was no longer appropriate, I accept many probably thought it was never appropriate and didn't do it at all.

Ours started requesting separate ones when they got to about 7 and 5-it was partly a size thing so happened naturally

My DC are 8 and 4 and still do but starting to petre out now mainly because the eldest (dd) gets annoyed at being splashed and the bath is getting too small!

4yo made me get in with him last week though!

Just turned 5! They're still babies! I bathed with my brother until we were about 7 or 8, and DD and DS1 bathed together until they were 6 and 8. Would have stopped earlier if DD (who is older) had shown any signs of not wanting to / puberty.

Oh yeah, like I say I'm probably the only one thinking about it and it's literally just today it popped in to my head.

I don't think it's even flickered in to anyone else involveds head.

They started doing some "my body" stuff in school this last week so I think that's why I wondered if this was a bit of a watershed and the right time to start changing the routine.

Good to hear I can just give my head a wobble.
Thanks all 👍

My daughter and her cousin are 5 months apart and at 6, are just starting to want more privacy if they need the toilet etc. They'll let you know I'm sure

Mine have just stopped and are 7&9 but mainly because the 9 year old likes to stretch out and they started arguing rather than playing!

If anything she wants an audience on the toilet or when naked generally

We go on holiday every year with my DS (4.5) and his female cousin (3.5). We've normally chucked them in the bath together but didn't last summer albeit they often used the same water. We didn't actively discuss it at all, it just seemed like the right time to stop. It's probably quicker too than having them play around in the bath for ages!

Think it depends on the genders, how close they are (and the size of your bath!) DSS and his cousin shared a bath at around 6 and that was fine, and he shared one with DD2 once when he was 8 just for the experience, but I wouldn’t let them share now as he is 9 and starting to have pre pubescent body changes. I’d say around 7.

At 5 if they’re both still comfortable with it I think it’s fine. My daughter and nephew are very similar ages and quite happy still. Interestingly my daughter has started wanted to get changed in private (I think maybe they’ve explicitly talked about this in school so it’s on her radar!) but is perfectly happy to be splashing about naked with the same child 5 minutes earlier!

As soon as either of them expresses discomfort, id stop, and certainly by puberty.

My kids have always shared a bath growing up and likewise on holidays after a day of activity, they would all jump in the bath together! Once one is uncomfortable and no longer wants to share the bath it stops. Its all part of growing up with siblings

I wouldn't be comfortable, let me explain a little.

They are not siblings, they meet once every six months or so. At five they are learning in school about pants rule. This activity could blur that important lesson.

At five boys and girls say silly things, I wouldn't want this for either child. I also and maybe this is because all of extended family work with children of trauma in different roles, want a child telling me they had a bath and didn't feel they could say they were uncomfortable looking bath years from now.

A child they see once every six minutes is virtually a stranger, blood doesn't negate that. I would not feel comfortable looking back at being 5 . I would say no they can play with toys in their swimsuits or something else.

Mine are both boys and we stopped when they were 6 and 3 - basically they started to get interested in each other's private parts and, while it was totally harmless/innocent, I didn't feel comfortable with where it might go

They'll get too long before they get too old IYSWIM.

Siblings we’ve just stopped at almost 7 and 3, because the older ones favours a shower or a relaxing bath now without a million toys in there with them. Opposite sex cousins I wouldn’t do beyond the toddler years. They’re not siblings, they don’t even see each other regularly.