Bath time can sometimes be a nightmare for any mother. Children sometimes do not want to take a bath, and there is not a power on Earth that can make them do have one if they don’t want to. However, that’s the key word here – “want to”. If you can find a way to have your kids actually look forward to bath time, to enjoy it, then you’re on the right track. This doesn’t have to be a painful chore that you took upon yourself, but rather, an opportunity to bond and to have fun.
It all depends on your approach, and just how imaginative you are. Get your creative side moving, get some imagination running, and we’re certain you will figure it out. And below you can find some tips we have written up ourselves to help you out.
Break out the toys
This is a tried and true method of getting your kids to take a bath. It’s pretty much clichéd advice, but for good reason – it’s very effective. Remember what we said earlier – you want your kids to have fun and to enjoy themselves during bath time. What better way to do that than with getting them lots of toys and knick-knacks to play with? And if you can help them figure out a completely new water-based game with the toy, then even better.
For example, you can get a waterproof doll and turn this into a teachable moment. Teach the babies how to wash the doll, and have fun while doing so. You can also let them focus on different parts of a doll, teaching them good hygiene habits for the future. You can also have a typical aquatic animal or boats in the tub. Then, have your child race these two by making waves.
Another thing you can try is getting squirt toys. If two of your kids are bathing at the same time, you can have a lot of fun (or have a serious mess on your hands) by letting this turn into a water battle. Depends solely on how your bathroom is set up, and how easy it is to clean it up.
Get them to be comfortable
You don’t want kids to dread bath time, you want them to look forward to bath time as much as possible. For this reason, you really should work hard to make the bath as comfortable as can be for them. So, first, watch out for the water temperature. You should aim at 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Use a thermometer if you have to, but know this is somewhat above your own body temperature. Anything above can be a bit too hot, an anything below can be a bit too chilly.
Next, always use products that are safe and that do not sting or hurt. Go with products that do not sting a child’s eyes. The last thing you want is to have them connect stingy eyes and crying with bath time. You want to use baby safety products as much as possible as well. Get a non-skid mat, for example, to keep them from falling and getting an ouchy.
A neat little trick is to always give them a heads up about what you’re going to do. Bath time can be a scary moment for kids, because it’s something they are not that familiar with. So always tell them what you are about to do, in order to prepare them. For example, always tell them that you are going to pour water over their heads, or that you’re going to pick them up. The same goes for putting shampoo into their hair.
Stella Ryne is an art historian, traveller, conscious consumer and a proud mother. When she is not trying to improve the things around her (and herself, for that matter), she likes to lose herself in a good book. She’s deeply into green practices, cherishing the notion that sustainable living and sustainable travel will not only make us far less dependent on others regarding the dwellings we inhabit and what we eat, but also contribute to our planet being a better place to live on. Stay in touch with Stella via Twitter and Facebook.