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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Bathtime meltdown

6 replies

rislip · 30/04/2008 13:55

My happy 20mth old dd used to love the bath and happily play for 15 or so mins with her toys and splash about. Sunday night my dh has his turn for bath duties and gives her a particularly traumatic hair washing - which she hates at the best of times (and usually only occurs once every 2-3 weeks).
She now goes totally hysterical/into meltdown at going back in the bath even though there isn't shampoo or hairwashing involved.
What should I do? Keep trying to entice her back in with toys etc, I'm quite happy to get in myself and play a game with her...but i don't want her traumatised any further.

Thanks in advance

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Eaglebird · 30/04/2008 19:33

Could you maybe sit her in the empty bath & make a game of spraying her with a shower attachment to get her clean?
Sorry I've no experience as my DS is only nearly 6 months old and I haven't had the bathtime terrors yet

TeeBee · 30/04/2008 20:27

Does it matter too much if she doesn't have a full-on bath every night? With mine the answer would be a resounding 'yes' as he gets so filthy, but maybe not so with yours. Have you tried bath paints or those coloured bath tablets? Works a treat with my DCs.

Or maybe make a game out of washing her toys/dolls, and of course, eventually having to get in because you can't reach them properly.

foxythesnowfox · 30/04/2008 20:28

I'd have a bath together.

Umlellala · 30/04/2008 20:34

We had this exact thing - first she was fine with overzealous hairwashing but all of a sudden it became traumatic.

We took it slowly and gently, didn't wash hair much for a while, let her get over it, then slowly dh cracked it with washing dollys/toys hair and doing 1-2-3 scoops and a towel to rub her eyes. Basically, giving her more warning and being quite sympathetic (although firm). Think access to the towel makes her feel a bit more in control.

I'd def get in the bath with her - this is how we do her hair now, and we have lovely soapy cuddles too. And she washes my hair too.

Umlellala · 30/04/2008 20:35

PS bath crayons are fab. or my dd loves just a paintbrush!

Original poster

rislip · 01/05/2008 13:19

Oh these are good ideas, thanks so much. i actually got in with her this morning and played silly games and whilst hysterical getting in, she did sit happily (ish) for 10 mins after calming down.
Must get those crayons.

Thanks all x

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