AIBU re bath

[numberblocksrule]

Regular mumsnetter, NC for this

Had a little disagreement with DH and just wondering what you guys do/think. Thanks

DD1 is 4.5yo and DD2 is 3. When they have a bath occasionally I go to the next room and fold clothes.

Bath water is 1-2in high and, not only do I have the doors fully open, the walls are almost paper in this house (super annoying actually I can hear everything when someone goes to the bathroom ). I keep my ears attuned to what is happening and keep checking.

DH doesn't like it because I'm not constantly in the room.

I feel like the kids are older now and I can let them play a little bit. Am I being a horrible parent??!!

At what age did you feel more comfortable leaving your kids semi-unattended in the bath?

I'd put way more than 1-2 inches in there and be with them but each to their own. I do get what u mean about wanting to use the time wisely though. I sometimes clean the toilet and sink during ds' bath time.

At that age I didn’t feel comfortable leaving them alone.

YANBU
3 is a reasonable age to be left within earshot in a small amount of bath water.
I've got a 2.5 year old and I do the same thing... leave the bathroom door open and fold washing on the landing. Whilst she plays with her bath toys in a few inches of water..
At that age a child doesn't need you to stand right next to them.. as long as you can hear them so you'd notice if they went quiet or cried
Its very very unlikely they are going to come to any harm.

Mine is nearly 6 and I never leave him in the bath for longer than it takes to grab a towel from the landing, or whatever.

(I am fairly neurotic though.)

I think you are absolutely fine to do this OP

Mine are 6 and 3. Bath is always pretty full and we do jobs upstairs and pop in and out to keep an eye on them. They are so noisy and splash so much I'm not overly concerned about them. DD especially treats bathtime as swimming practice, goggles and all!

What is the point of sitting two kids in two inches of water? They must be freezing and bored.

Mine is 3.5 years. I will dash to the airing cupboard or bedroom to grab something. I can sit on the landing and see him in the bath at the same time which is very handy so I can do something else at the same time.
I wouldn’t feel happy staying in another room whilst he was in the bath

Eh? My daughter loves playing in the water im sure most young children do.. why woukd they be bored?
I mean I leave her there for a bit because she loves it do much.. I could just wash her and get her straight out.... but she likes to play.

1-2 inches of water? Are you sure? They'd be freezing surely sitting in that little water!

Don’t they get cold in so little water? Run them a proper bath and clean the loo or file your nails or something so you can keep an eye on them

@Twobirdsinatree

Eh? My daughter loves playing in the water im sure most young children do.. why woukd they be bored? I mean I leave her there for a bit because she loves it do much.. I could just wash her and get her straight out.... but she likes to play.

It's the lack of water that would make it boring. 2 inches?

My own DC are in the bath anywhere up to an hour at a time. But they have an actual bath. Not a puddle at the bottom of the tub.

she has an actual bath when I'm in there washing her but then I let some of the water out so its safer for her to play in whilst I'm folding the washing...
Shes got a lot of bath toys she seems to enjoy it? She's always asking to play in the bath

YABVVU. A child can drown in as little as an inch of water. This is incredibly dangerous. You’re not a “horrible” parent but you are risking the life of your child and it’s neglectful imo.

I think they are too young still

Yanbu and there's nothing to stop dh poking his head round the door

I have 1 almost 4 year old. For the past 6 months or so I will pop in and out the bathroom some days while she is in the bath (other days I stay and chat/play or get in with her). I'm in the next room and checking regularly, and she hasn't stopped talking since around 14 months, so I know she is ok

Drowning is completely silent, as is choking.

I wouldn't have an issue with what you describe but YABVU to describe an inch of water as a bath. What's the point of them sitting in an inch of water?

Just listening is no good - if children drown it can often be silent www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/first-aid-and-safety/safety/baby-and-toddler-safety/

Tell DH to go sit with them then.

It's not worth the risk to leave them is it.

I fill the bath and watch them

I’m fine with popping in and out with those ages, and would have a bit more water. Wouldn’t go for long though. Yes drowning is silent and small children are not so you can immediately hear if they stop being noisy.

Mine are nearly 5 & 3 and will now pop out to put washing in another room or to grab pjs etc. Wouldn’t leave them for more than a few minutes but I think that’s fine. If I’m putting the washing away I make them sing to me so I know they’re ok!

Wouldn’t leave them for more than a few minutes

How many minutes?