OT: what age to stop baths?

[suzct]

This may be an odd question, but I have a DD6 and DS4. They take baths together, but I'm thinking this needs to end soon? What is the average age to start boys and girls bathing separately?
Thanks for the input

 

[thepeach80]

We follow the line of thought that when the child (or adult in adult nudity issues) starts to feel uncomfortable in that situation, it's time to stop. So maybe ask your kids how they feel (the older one in particular). If they're o.k., keep doing it IMO.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Maybe now.

My kids were Ds7 and DD 2, was the last time they bathed together. We don't make a big deal about nudity here so it wasn't a big deal to either one of them. One day out of the blue though, DS started screaming. I ran in the bathroom and DD was crying. Well it turns out, DD pooped in the tub.

That ended that, DS wouldn't step foot in the bathtub with her again. Now they're 9 and 3. DD is pottytrained, but I feel they're too old. They mainly take showers now anyhow.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

If the kids are fine with it then I wouldn't make a big deal if it. Trust me- when they want privacy for something they will let you know.

 

[MSSANDRA]

When one of the kids say it is time to stop, then it will be time. My guess is the 6 year old will start complaining in the next year or so. Enjoy as long as they both are happy.

 

[beattyfamily]

My girls are 11 and 7 (almost 8) and the 11 year old has been taking showers for about 2 years now. My 7 year old still prefers baths and doesn't like showers. I'm working on it though!

I say keep trying after about the age of 6 (or when they say they want to) and don't give up. If I never tried showers, they'd both still be taking baths 100% of the time.

 

[bzzymom]

RoliePolieOliefan, I can relate, the first time DH ever gave DS a bath was when he was 2.5 and he pooped in the tub. DH wouldn't bathe him again until he took showers.

I would continue to bathe them together until the older one gets uncomfortable with it.

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

My kids started doing showers instead of baths around 7 or 8.

 

[bumbershoot]

Is the question shower vs bath, or bathing together vs alone?

For either question, I say, when either of them expresses their wish for something else.

 

[CindyCharming]

The question is more about whether they should be still be taking baths together as opposed to if they should be taking showers instead of baths, right?

That's crossed my mind lately too (opposite sexes taking baths together). I have an almost 6 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. They take the majority of their baths together and my son has never said anything about it, in fact if he's taking a solo bath he's asking where his sister is, but I've wondered if we are just odd to have them still be taking baths together. It's assuring reading the thread so far. It's so much easier having them bathe together, not only time-wise but entertainment-wise too.

 

[I Love Pluto]

IMHO - by age 3 each child should have his/her own bath time. Sharing a tub - especially brother/sister - beyond this age doesn't feel right to me.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

 

[*KeepMovingForward*]

I never had my kids bathe together and my oldest two are only a year apart. It just didn't occur to me to do it that way-they all got their own private bath time from the very beginning.

 

[NJtoATL]

It does not freak me out that they are of different genders taking a bath. What bothers me is the germ factor. I work with little children and the things that they do in a course of a day is just beyond me. For health reasons I would have the children take baths alone. As of now they are just swapping dirt.

 

[NU2WDW]

I work with little children and the things that they do in a course of a day is just beyond me. For health reasons I would have the children take baths alone. As of now they are just swapping dirt.

Do you HAVE little children? Say, three of them under 5? I didn't think so, otherwise the things they do in the course of the day wouldn't be beyond you at all. Trust me, there's very little they will NOT be sharing germ-wise that taking a bath together is going to make it any worse for wear.

For the OP -- I agree with what most everyone else has said. Your older child will let you know soon enough when separate bath time is required.

 

[CindyCharming]

It does not freak me out that they are of different genders taking a bath. What bothers me is the germ factor. I work with little children and the things that they do in a course of a day is just beyond me. For health reasons I would have the children take baths alone. As of now they are just swapping dirt.

I have to admit, I giggled a little when I read this too. Really, kids, especially siblings, are swapping germs long before and long after any shared bath.

 

[LJRJR]

I stopped bathing DD7 and DS5 atleast two years ago when my daughter was 5, if not earlier maybe 4 1/2. I think my pediatrician told me to try not to have the my daughter bathe with my son after 5, for maturity reasons, he felt that the age of 5 would be the limit. Now if anyone even goes near the bath when my DD7 is in there the whole house knows My two sons DS5 and DS3 bathe together, but I have to put towels all over the floor , they make a mess. So, my answer is that by atleast the age of 5 same sex siblings should not bathe together.

 

[MinnieGi]

I subscribe to the theory my kids will let me know when its time to stop bathing together. My DD turns 7 tomorrow and DS turns 3 Sunday. They take their bath in our large garden tub in the master bath so they have plenty of play space. They like being in there together. Sometimes DD has asked for a private bath if her brother has created too much havoc in her life that evening otherwise she likes him there. It is so much easier on bedtime to do them both together. They are quite uninhibited about their nudity and we don't make a big deal about it either.

They have tried showers too. DD thought it was okay and does it every now and then. DS was too little and even with a kid shower nozzle he hated the water streaming down on him.

 

[StephMK]

DD7 & DS5 have stopped bathing together but that was my decision, not their choice. I've wondered too but they really love playing together. I just figured they are getting to the age, while they've seen each other's parts, they are running out of room in the tub and it just gets awkward. Now DH wears his bathing suit & gives them a shower. They request & love it but I hope they don't go around talking about how they shower w/their dad.

They still have no sense of modesty & think nothing of stripping in the family room or wherever they happen to be & running through the house on the way to get dressed.

 

[NJtoATL]

I will not change my mind about chidlren taking baths together. Especially since I know little children sometimes not all the time use the bathroom in the tub. I guess I think about thinks like the spreading of EColi. (I read something on the CDC website regarding this.) But to each their own. If you are thinking about the pool. I do not use public pools for the same reason.

 

[bigbabyblues]

My DS6 started taking showers last year when he started Kindergarten. DS4 liked the idea of a shower because big brother took one, but he was afraid of the water getting in his eyes.

How they both take showers alone wearing their goggles. It works, and I just wash their faces when they get out. DH or I have to help them though, mostly supervising with the 6-yo.