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Original poster

Bathtime stress

12 replies

Peetle · 27/04/2010 10:41

My DTs (identical girls, 30 months) love playing in and with water in any shape or form. Until recently bathtime has been great; we put them both in the bath together and with plenty of splashing we usually get them washed (and ourselves soaked) without too much trouble.

Just recently they've started getting hysterical in the bath - you'd think it contained boiling oil for the reaction they have. One of them kicks off, screaming and crying, "Want to get out" and grabbing us, which naturally sets the other one off and we end up with a very quick and fairly stressful wash followed by lots of calming talk and cuddles to restore everyone's equilibrium.

I'm not aware of any incidents (hot water, falls, etc) that might have put them off baths, I was just wondering if anyone has a similar experience or any suggestions.

We haven't tried bathing them separately, though this is the next thing to try I think. Showers are out - there is a shower over the bath but turning it on just results in the girls fighting to get up the other end of the bath and as far away from it as possible.

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Lozario · 27/04/2010 11:01

Have you tried a new bath toy to get them in to it again? You can get these great toy washing machines for the bath now - maybe you could go on a shopping expedition together one afternoon for a new bath time toy which will make them look forward to using it that evening in the bath?

I think they just get funny ideas in their heads sometimes - might even be that one of them had a headache or something once in the bath so wanted to get out, set the other one off and now they've forgotten that they like baths!

Again · 27/04/2010 11:12

My ds has just gone/is going through a phase of not wanting a bath. He's 31 months. He used to absolutely love it and then for months didn't want one. Occasionally he'd agree to stand in there. I think it is to do with toilet training. He's worried he'll wee in the bath and the water makes him want to go.

grapesandmoregrapes · 27/04/2010 14:21

get a new toy for the bath and get in the bath with them. if you're in there as well then they will realise that its ok, and a new toy will almost definitely entice them in! good luck

Original poster
Peetle · 27/04/2010 14:25

The bizarre thing is they still like getting into the bath - as soon as we start running it they get their plastic steps (we have these steps from Ikea in the bathroom so they can reach the sink and the loo, etc), strip off (keeping clothes on them is a whole other challenge these days) and clamber into the bath.

It's then the trouble starts; they seem to realise where they are and start demanding to get out.

Not sure about bath toys - they have a habit of jumping up and down and splashing in the bath which will hurt if they land on anything. We have dozens though, of course.

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bumbums · 27/04/2010 14:47

Have you told them off for this behaviour? Like there being silly and of course they need a bath, Sit down, etc?
Maybe you could nip it in the bud with a few stern words?
But also definately try some new bath toys etc for distraction.

OhFuck · 27/04/2010 14:51

How often do you bath them? I think a lot of kids suddenly wake up to the fact that water is potentially hazardous around this age. DS is still OK with baths but is completely terrified of getting his head wet. We only wash his hair when the smell of old yoghurt is overpowering now

Seriously, it's maybe a good time to bath them separately for a while so one is not setting the other off, but make baths shallow, brief, functional affairs. They don't really need a bath that often, a wash down with a flannel is fine between times. I reckon if you're chilled out about it it will pass off.

Original poster
Peetle · 29/04/2010 12:52

The girls probably get 5/6 baths a week - depending on what they've been up to, whether they're going to nursery and how that day's potty training has been... And how knackered mummy and daddy are.

Last night we tried bathing them separately and concluded that a) water on the face or head for either of them is a big no-no and b) DT2 was sort of alright with it but despite happily climbing into the bath DT1 really wanted to get out as soon as she saw a sponge in my hand.

Earlier they'd found our old paddling pool in the garage, dragged it into the garden, demanded we fill it and spent the afternoon happily running around naked, screaming and wet so I was a bit disappointed they still didn't want a bath. Oh well...

OP posts:
grapesandmoregrapes · 29/04/2010 13:12

wash them in the paddling pool at the end of the day.

RGPargy · 29/04/2010 16:23

Again - My DD is also not wanting to sit in the bath since becoming potty trained. The only way i can get her to sit in the bath now is to actually put the potty in the bath first and so she sits in the bath on the potty!! I have no idea why she is terrified of weeing in the bath, as i've never said anything about it, if it happens (although i think DP said something to her about it and maybe even whipped her out and made her panic a little about it???) Hopefully it's just a phase as i cant imagine a 15 year old still sitting on the potty in the bath!!

hobnob57 · 30/04/2010 17:35

DD went through a wee phase of this, but it didn't last long She was phobic of bubbles for a while. No apparent reason for anything at all, apart from feeling under the weather perhaps?

TripleThreatIcansingIcandanceI · 30/04/2010 17:38

Put bubble bath in the paddling pool

RGPargy · 30/04/2010 22:39

Yesterday we had a bath with no potty in it! YAY!!!

Loving the idea of bubbles in teh paddling pool!!

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