Ellen's Bath Time
Ellen (age 21 months) loves taking a bath!! She loves to play with cups in the water. We used to have a hard time ending bath time without her getting upset. Then I decided maybe what she needed was a warning. So we have a little routine. When bath time is almost over, we put the toys on the ledge at the end of the bath tub. Then she has a time where she can splash if she wants, and then she is actually willing to get out! She knows what to expect. I think toddlers are much more willing to do things if they know what to expect.
You can also use a timer to let them know when bathtime is almost over, or you can count out loud to ten.
Update Age 25 months
Ellen has just started taking showers!! She loves to stand under the water and get completely drenched! Sometimes we take showers together. That way I get my shower, and I can keep an eye on her at the same time! It works out really well.
Ellen has eczema (it's better now), so Ellen can't take a bath or shower as often as she would like to take one. My doctor suggested that I only give Ellen a bath twice a week!
Update Age 32 months
Ellen's eczema is completely gone. I'm not sure what caused it, but it's been gone for quite a while. Ellen takes a bath or shower almost every day, and her skin is just great.
She willingly gets out of the bath tub at the end of her bath time. I warn her that her bath time is almost over. Then a couple of minutes later I remind her, and she puts her bath toys away and pulls the plug! She used to sit in the bath tub while the water was draining, but she seems to be a little fearful of it now and asks to be taken right out after she pulls the plug.
Katia's Bath Time
Katia (2 1/2) LOVES a bath (even as a
small baby, it would calm her down if she was upset). She enjoys playing for a while before getting washed. She has as much fun with a cup as she does with all her toys. We also use the cup to help rinse her hair and body.
Getting out isn't usually a problem. She loves to use her "big person towel" which can be an incentive if she's slow getting out. (My husband let her use a regular towel one time and since then she doesn't want the cute little baby towels. Oh well, Cassie can use them all now.)
Sent in by Carol
Links to Other Sites
My Toddlers Always Touching! What Do I Do? by Marnie Ko.
Bath Time
