If your DC's don't like having a bath, how often do you force them to have one?

[Ceebee74]

DS1 has recently decided that he doesn't like baths and doesn't want one - he used to love them and happily have one every night.

I make him have one every other night but it is quite unpleasant as I have to manhandle him to get undressed, lift him in, listen to him scream whilst I clean him and wash his hair - once he is out and wrapped in his towel, he is fine. Tonight he wanted to stay downstairs and play with his train set and watch Cbeebies whilst I went upstairs and bathed DS2 (6 months) - he played quite happily and put his pj's on downstairs without any fuss whatsoever - much calmer!!

He is nearly 3 and doesn't really get THAT dirty unless they have been doing something particularly messy at nursery.

Once a week, having a wash is just as good.

Nearly every day, but sometimes I give DD a shower rather than a bath. She gets very grubby in the park and playground at school.

If he doesn't want a bath what about a shower..?

DD (4) has never hated baths BUT does at times protest about having them and even tonight said "I don't smell so I don't want a shower" . Nothing to do with the felt tip all over her face and hands ..

So instead of a battle I suggested a shower.
Means I can shower with dd and ds(2) at the same time so kill 3 birds with 1 stone .

Took dd's mind off the fact she didn't want a wash and she has a shower toy with her and ds enjoy playing with..

may help to try another washing means..?

BTW, I wash dd and ds every other day..some times daily (not often however)

Do you really need to wash his hair every other night?

You could try making it more fun? Bubble bath, water pistols

Maybe he would go in the bath with you?

Or shower as shhh says

would he prefer it if he went in with his brother? you can get special bath mats in mothercare which seat a little baby one end and the older child can sit opposite on a mat. would that help encourage him do you think?

i know it sounds obvious but bath toys, squirters etc?
my girls absolutely love bubbles (you know the ones where you have the little bottle and the dipstick that you stick in and then blow the bubbles, my minds gone completely blank as to what they are actually called lol!) anyway they love playing with them in the bath.

I wouldn't force it.

flannel wash
paddling pool
go swimming
jump in a clean-ish fountain
have a really wet and splashy time at the kitchen sink
go in the bath yourself and invite child to join if they wish

I really don't get why one would force it. surely it would be totally counter productive?

Try this trick, naked dc with wellies on, 2 cm water in bath told big puddle to splash in. Watering can for a little rain. Might get dc clean and washed. But will need a good supply of newspaper for drying wellies.

Every night. This is the only area where I am mean. Dd gets covered in mud, food, felt tip etc, and I she feels much better after a bath. That she screams in.

Ds1 isn't keen on baths (though not as bad as he was).

Have them every 2 or 3 nights here, with hairwashing once a week. I can't face battling with him and coping with a tired, wailing 15mo at the same time. My stress levels go through the roof at bathtime.

DD likes a top and tail. She stands in bath, I fill sink with water and quickly wash her with sponge and a bit of soap. Takes just a few minutes and she's clean and happy.

I only wash her hair with shampoo twice a week and she has lovely glossy hair. If she's got sweaty hair and not due a shampoo I'll just pour some water over her hair.

Thanks for all the tips

But we have tried most of them - DH usually gets in the bath with both boys if he is at home, if not, then I put both boys in the bath together and have been doing since DS2 was born. DS1 has tons of bath toys, including different squirters, Thomas bath island, books etc.

He always used to love the bath and loved being in with his baby brother so he could torture him - it literally has been the last couple of weeks that he has had a change of heart. Maybe just a phase......