Bathtime = hell. Any suggestions?

[JonesTheSteam]

Last night, bathing DS (3) was a complete nightmare (for DH, as I was out visiting my nan in hospital )

He got really upset, really didn't want to be in there. Tears, screaming at the top of his voice.

Thank God we don't live in a terraced house - DH reckoned it sounded like he was being tortured.

It's not a one-off - he has been like this for the last three weeks, and is not getting any better? Even the suggestion of a bath now gets him going.

Nothing traumatic has happened in the bath to upset him. As far as I'm aware DD has never tried to drown him or anything. He was always as good as gold before.

Any suggestions before we give up and just let him become whiffy!!!!

Toys? Bribery? Share bath?

Toys - already there.

He shares a bath most of the time with DD 95).

Haven't tried bribery - might have to drag out the sticker chart for behaving in bath (it worked well for toilet training)

Obviously, DD is 5 not 95!!!!

Would it be practical to swap bath times to mornings? When he might be less cranky / tired and emotional?

shower???

Doesn't like the shower either.

Might try the swapping to morning thing - didn't think of that - will try over the holidays - might be too stressful to introduce that on a school morning!!!!

Suggest doing a quick wash down with a flannel/sponge standing in the bathroom whilst his sister is in the bath?

This works with my DS (4) if he is too tired to bath.

Good luck and HTH.

What about having a bath with him or a shower with him?