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Parenting

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Original poster

Do you bathe with your children? And if so until what age?

59 replies

jumblebee · 07/04/2014 18:55

Just wondering! After a conversation with a friend, I was wondering what age people's children are when they stop having baths with their parents?

My friend said that she thought it was strange and "slightly wrong" that our other friend and her partner still have baths with their little boy, who is 2.8yo.

My DD is 8mo and the best part of the day is when I can get in the bath with her and have a splash around :)

Just wondering if many other parents do this, and what age did you stop?

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FiloPasty · 07/04/2014 22:33

I have 3.5 year old girl twins and often bathe with them. I remember bathing with my mum or dad and my brother and sister until I was about 9, I don't see what the issue is. We have a massive bath and occasionally all get I it

Wuxiapian · 07/04/2014 22:36

I have 3 children and have never even considered bathing with them.

FiloPasty · 07/04/2014 22:38

Those who don't/wouldn't bathe with their children, did you bathe with your own parents?
What is your relationship with them like?

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JuniperTisane · 07/04/2014 22:39

Since DS1(3.6) and DS2(15m) splash and kick as much water at each other as they possibly can I generally try to avoid it where possible. DS1 likes to lie down anyway and he takes up 2/3 of the space.

It was nice when they were babies but now I'd rather not.

Wuxiapian · 07/04/2014 22:40

I didn't bathe with my parents. Our relationship is very good - they're amazing people and parents.

nldm1 · 07/04/2014 22:44

Dh and I shower with our two ( 4 1/2 and 6) regularly. We want them to grow up with the understanding that, although there is such a thing as appropriate/right and wrong times and places for nudity, their bodies and our bodies aren't shameful.
I have stretch matks and excess skin left over from pregnancy and subsequent weight loss and in particular, I want dd to grow up knowing that there are so many different forms of beauty.
What sort of role model would I be to her if I were to hide my imperfections and show shame in them?
In my opinion, it's ok for as long as DC are happy doing it.

rememberingnothing · 07/04/2014 22:46

I had a quick bath with DDs yesterday. They are now aged 6 and 7. Room is now a premium but they love me getting in for a bath cuddle. I suspect not many more with all 3 of us but a few more years with whoever wants a lobster boil with mummy.

My mum would often bath in front of us when we would come in for a wee and a chat, bath too small for joining but my DB and I often bathed together until aged 7 ish I guess.

Herecomesthesciencebint · 07/04/2014 22:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mintyy · 07/04/2014 22:53

Why do you ask FiloPastry?

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 08/04/2014 03:44

I got in with DS 2.2 the otter day. He thought it was the best thing ever!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 08/04/2014 03:45

*other

PirateJones · 08/04/2014 07:04

It wouldn't be a proper bath without spiderman, batman, a pirate ship and a 6 year old squeezing in.

nochips · 08/04/2014 07:07

I bath sometimes, but at the moment DS has developed a real dislike, almost fear, of water and will only be washed if it is in the shower with me and I am 'protecting' him. He is nearly 4.

Original poster

jumblebee · 08/04/2014 09:03

Theborrower it was the nudity she had issue with, she also mentioned she thought it wasn't appropriate for my friend and her partner to walk around half dressed or naked in front of there song.
I didn't really have anything to reply with because I'd never given it much thought. I saw my parents naked a few times, that I can remember, and it's never affected me. Can't remember bathing with them though, but there is picture evidence (with a lot of bubbles thankfully!)

OP posts:

Original poster

jumblebee · 08/04/2014 09:06

Also NIDM1 that is a very good point. I have a lot of body image issues and I would hate to pass those along to my daughter like my mum did with me!

OP posts:

Meglet · 08/04/2014 09:09

Tried it once when DS was small and hated it. Was cold and uncomfortable so never did it again.

They (7 & 5) jump in the shower once in a blue moon but I've stopped that now due to lack of space and they can't handle a hot shower. I don't want to stand in cold water after a busy day.

UC · 08/04/2014 09:18

DS2 sometimes jumps in with me - he's 7. He loves it and it's a big treat for him. DS1 used to get in too, but he's 10 now, and doesn't want to anymore, and there's not enough room.

gourd · 08/04/2014 13:00

We only have a small shower (n bath) so cant do it these days. Daughter likes to st down in shower on the shower tray so no room for anyone else in there as well. I took her in for a shower when she was little and couldnt be trusted to not fall over etc if in there by herself but I coudnt actually wash myself whilst holding her/holding her up, and even tryign to wash her whilst also holding on to her was very difficult, so it wasnt really a relaxing time for me even though she loved it. I always found holding a wet slippery child whilst wet and slippery yourself rather fraught! Still, possibly better than the back-breaking leaning over and reaching in we now have to endure in order to soap her and wash her hair though... cant wait till she can actually do it herself (well) - obviously she does wash herself, but she's only 3.5 so you still have to do it too if you actually want a clean child afterwards with no pen marks/paint/mud/food left on!

gourd · 08/04/2014 13:02

Sorry should have said I cant see any issue with it if child wants to, other than the logistics/space issue.

Lamu · 08/04/2014 13:20

I started having a bath with Dd when she was 3 or 4 weeks old. We'd have a snuggle and often she'd latch on for a feed too. She once decided she'd do a very sticky newborn poo whilst on my lap, I wasn't impressed.. Now she's 2 she still demands that I get in with her even though I struggle to get out, at 8 months pregnant. I think we'll stop when Dc decide they no longer want to share baths/showers.

Seminyak · 08/04/2014 13:22

I remember having baths and showers with my parents... Make of that what you will. Must have been around 4 or 5 when it stopped. Probably around the same time I stopped bathing with my sister.

CMOTDibbler · 08/04/2014 13:32

My ds is 7, nearly 8 and still demands I get in the bath with him so we can chat and play. We have a huge bath, and he likes quite hot water, so its very relaxing.

When he wants to stop, I will

sausagefortea · 08/04/2014 13:36

My DS are 8 and 5 and I get in the bath with them very occasionally. More because of space, but they like it and I like it. Same with their dad. Neither of us hide when getting dressed either. My eldest has just started wanting a towel round him at the swimming baths when changing so maybe he's getting a bit more wary of nudity....but he still is happy to run around stark naked in the house! I guess it'll be a natural change to not having baths, probably as they want to have showers more maybe?

Polyethyl · 08/04/2014 14:17

I bathed on my own last night. Such a delightful novelty not to be bashed by a rubber duck but instead to read a magazine in peace and quiet. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of bathing with my toddler.

matana · 08/04/2014 15:57

Re. nudity op, does your friend have dc? If not she may not be aware of child development and what is age appropriate etc. You and I know that a 2yo hasn't yet developed the concept of gender awareness and even when they do, there is absolutely nothing sexual in it for many years. For example ds refers to my big boobies and daddy's willy etc so is aware of gender difference but that is all. All we're doing at this age is having a fun and loving splash around with our babies and that only really changes when either we or they become uncomfortable with it.

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