Bath-time fun - There’s no better time for bonding between parent and child than when giving the youngster a relaxing bath - IF you've got a child who doesn’t like having a bath, there goes one of the best ways you can get some relaxation for both of you.
Baths (and showers) are not only important for keeping us clean, it is also an important part of the day, normally as part of the wind-down to bed time.
There is nothing nicer than taking a tired child, seeing him relax in a warm bath, then tucking him up into bed, all relaxed and smelling clean.
If your baby or child doesn’t like having a bath, there are a few easy things you can do to help resolve that.
First, take a look at your own attitude to baths and showers. Do you feel irritable and tense and want them to be over and done with quickly?
This attitude can rub off on your child, and make them less likely to enjoy it.
Being a bath-time role model helps. In fact, often children enjoy hopping into the bath with you, and it can help you enjoy some healthy skin to skin contact.
If you don’t want to hop in, at least move your body so you can be at eye level with them while they are in the bath.
Singing is a good thing to do to help distract them. You can sing songs about water (and rubber duckies) or make up silly songs about being in the bath.
Singing helps you reduce your own stress around the situation too, so that both of you can relax. It’s not about sounding beautiful, so don’t worry if you are not a natural singer.
It’s a great place to learn too. Give children plenty of toys to play with. They don’t need to be expensive, in fact children often like playing with bottles and plastic containers more than anything pretty.
It doesn’t have to be "real life" to children. As long as they can scoop, pour and move water around, they are generally happy.
You could try to make model boats (out of foil) with children that they are only allowed to use if they have a bath. Turn the bath itself into a play area, instead of a place that is boring.
Make sure you have everything you need around you before you begin your child’s bath. This includes bath toys, a facecloth and a towel.
It can be easy to become distracted while your children are in the bath, but for their safety, you need to focus on them completely. Do not take your phone into the bathroom at all, and consider putting it on silent so it doesn’t tempt you if it rings.
When changing behaviours, it’s a good idea to keep the experience very short at first. It’s better for your child to have a happy bath for two minutes, than a happy bath that turns into a chaotic mess because you left them in too long.
Make sure the water is warm enough to be relaxing, and use a nice, soap free bath wash. Focus on being as relaxed as possible yourself as you talk to your child.
If you have a child over the age of three who hates baths and showers, you can work out a contract with them to get the bath completed.
Work out the expectations together (perhaps to stay in the bath for at least three minutes, must wash whole body, etc) and give them a sticker once it is achieved – working towards a small treat (which could even be traded in for a bath-free day).
The key then is to stick to what you have agreed upon.
A consistent commitment to change the behaviour of hating the bath will see good results within three weeks. ( thesundaily.com )
Baths (and showers) are not only important for keeping us clean, it is also an important part of the day, normally as part of the wind-down to bed time.
There is nothing nicer than taking a tired child, seeing him relax in a warm bath, then tucking him up into bed, all relaxed and smelling clean.
If your baby or child doesn’t like having a bath, there are a few easy things you can do to help resolve that.
First, take a look at your own attitude to baths and showers. Do you feel irritable and tense and want them to be over and done with quickly?
This attitude can rub off on your child, and make them less likely to enjoy it.
Being a bath-time role model helps. In fact, often children enjoy hopping into the bath with you, and it can help you enjoy some healthy skin to skin contact.
If you don’t want to hop in, at least move your body so you can be at eye level with them while they are in the bath.
Singing is a good thing to do to help distract them. You can sing songs about water (and rubber duckies) or make up silly songs about being in the bath.
Singing helps you reduce your own stress around the situation too, so that both of you can relax. It’s not about sounding beautiful, so don’t worry if you are not a natural singer.
It’s a great place to learn too. Give children plenty of toys to play with. They don’t need to be expensive, in fact children often like playing with bottles and plastic containers more than anything pretty.
It doesn’t have to be "real life" to children. As long as they can scoop, pour and move water around, they are generally happy.
You could try to make model boats (out of foil) with children that they are only allowed to use if they have a bath. Turn the bath itself into a play area, instead of a place that is boring.
Make sure you have everything you need around you before you begin your child’s bath. This includes bath toys, a facecloth and a towel.
It can be easy to become distracted while your children are in the bath, but for their safety, you need to focus on them completely. Do not take your phone into the bathroom at all, and consider putting it on silent so it doesn’t tempt you if it rings.
When changing behaviours, it’s a good idea to keep the experience very short at first. It’s better for your child to have a happy bath for two minutes, than a happy bath that turns into a chaotic mess because you left them in too long.
Make sure the water is warm enough to be relaxing, and use a nice, soap free bath wash. Focus on being as relaxed as possible yourself as you talk to your child.
If you have a child over the age of three who hates baths and showers, you can work out a contract with them to get the bath completed.
Work out the expectations together (perhaps to stay in the bath for at least three minutes, must wash whole body, etc) and give them a sticker once it is achieved – working towards a small treat (which could even be traded in for a bath-free day).
The key then is to stick to what you have agreed upon.
A consistent commitment to change the behaviour of hating the bath will see good results within three weeks. ( thesundaily.com )
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