As they grew into toddlerhood, they got baths every other day. More if they had an especially "messy" day. Sometimes the baths would be done willingly and sometimes with a bit of a fight.
As they've gotten older, baths have suddenly become an "issue". The never ending questions of "why" are exhausting. I try to explain they need baths more often because they are more active, often coming home with paint, dirt, mulch and various other acouttrements of the day.
Still, I get the questions.
Except, the questions aren't from the kids. They are from my husband.
I don't know if he truly thinks the kids don't need baths that often or if he's just lazy and doesn't want to do them?
I've gotten so tired of fighting over it that I've just started doing baths alone. Every once in awhile, I'll ask and he'll do it but, for the most part, it's just not worth the fight.
I just don't get it? He insists that I'm a "clean freak" and the kids don't need baths every day. I usually respond with some smart ass comment about not raising the equivalent of Pig Pen from the Charlie Brown cartoons.
I know my sister gives her 4 and 2 year olds a bath every night so I know I'm not a freak.
So, blog friends. I'm asking you.
How often do you bath your 2-4 year old(s)?
Does anyone else's husband fight over giving the kids' baths and think they don't need them every day or, at the very least, every other day?!
8 comments:
Ha! My 2 yr old twins get baths every day and have since they started eating food and getting it everywhere. Every time we try to cut back to less baths, I feel like they are too grummy. AND my husband always does them except if he is out of town. So tell your husband to quit complaining and buck up, and pitch in!
Everyday!
Emma and Kate get a bath every night, unless we get home really late from something. If that ends up happening, I usually put Emma in the shower with me the next morning b/c I feel, like you do, that she always has something on her. Plus her hair looks better then! And I think it only gets worse...a sweaty 5 year old can really, really stink!
No fights from my hubby, we both agree they need one almost every night. We bath them at least 6 nights a week, we will skip Wed nights only because we get back late from music class.
I agree with you but I do have plenty of friends that only bath a few times a week.
We usually do baths every other day but it all depends. If she had a really messy day at school or if she got something in her hair, I don't hesitate to give her one.
I give the majority of the baths. If I need the help, though, and ask, my husband will give her one. (He doesn't suggest it or just say, "Okay, it's bathtime!" though...)
I think it's just whatever works for you. If you think they need them every day, I don't think it's a big deal.
I bathe all of my children (ages 10, 7, and 4) every other day - Unless, as you said, they had an especially messy day. In the winter, their skin dries out (we live in MI), so frequent bathing isn't a good idea. In the summer when they are hot, sweaty, and in chlorine pools, they get bathed almost daily. IMO, bathing every day is not excessive. If you feel it is necessary, then do it. If, however, you are exhausted, I think skipping a day would be ok.
Everyday for my 3-year-old, but I know I'm a bit of a clean freak! But...it's also a part of the 'routine' that helps him relax and *hopefully* sleep. If I'm feeling especially adventurous, we'll skip washing his hair on one of the nights!
We bathe our three-year-old boy every night. I think they harbor too many germs from daycare if we don't.
Something my kids love though is to take a shower. We buy shaving cream and the shower/bath crayons for them and often they will stay in the shower for 20 minutes at a time. I can check my email or do dishes while they play in the shower. It might be a nice change or option for your kids to help motivate them to get clean. Hahhahaha
And whomever gets out of the bath/shower first gets to pick the bedtime TV show. It works well for us.
I hope I helped!
And, I LOVE the Christmas card picture you chose. Precious!
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