Ever since my daughter was born, she loved the water. Unlike some babies, bathtime never came with protest or tears – she enjoyed it! Even now as a toddler, the mention of the word “bath” sends her running toward the bathtub, and getting her out of the water can be an ordeal.
But I know this love of water isn’t always the case, and some parents struggle with their little ones when it comes to taking a bath. As if the thought of being clean is repulsive, or something.
And even if it would be easier to give in and not fight our kiddos on staying clean, having bath time as part of the bedtime routine can be a great way to unwind and prepare for bed.
So I’m assembling a few tips to help make bathtime fun, so that even the strongest of protesters can enjoy a little scrub-a-dub.
Keep Bathtime Consistent
Kids crave consistency at the core of their being. I know it may not seem that way, but when children know what to expect, they feel safe and secure.
Personally, I’m a believer in daily baths, but maybe that’s because my daughter likes to eat yogurt with her hands, and no matter how hard I try to prevent it, she always ends up with dried yogurt crusted into her hair.
If your child isn’t a messy eater or they generally stay clean all day, you may decide they don’t need a daily bath. This can be especially true for infants, although even then, my daughter’s hands always managed to smell of rotten milk.
Regardless, the choice is yours!
Daily baths with lotion right after, or alternate when your little one bathes.
But keep it consistent. I’d recommend staying away from, “We’ll give you a bath when you seem dirty, whenever that may be,” and aim for more of the, “You get a bath on these days, and the other days you’re just wiped down.”
Bring in the Bath Time Toys
There are so many toys made for bath time it’s insane.
Ducks that can swim.
Whales that squirt water out of their mouths.
Water gadgets that spin when you pour water on them.
Bath paint that is also soap.
Truly, it’s endless.
If your little one hates baths, bring in the toys and let them play. And no need to splurge! You can hit up the dollar tree and buy glow-in-the-dark bracelets and throw them in the bathtub. Let your kid go wild!
Keep Bath Time Light
Let this be a time to play as the primary focus, and to get clean as the secondary focus. In my view, bath time is a break for me. After I put my toddler in the bath, I sit down on the floor by the tub and check emails, scroll social media, or watch videos.
But this isn’t always a “zone out” moment (although if you need it, take it!). Bath time is also my time to engage and play with my daughter. I’ll hide below the tub and play peek-a-boo. I’ll squirt her with her whale. I’ll wind the swimming ducks up and let them swim. I’ll make noises or funny faces to make her laugh.
Having this time to connect with my daughter away from the TV that she can sometimes be glued to is a nice way to end the day.
I think that sometimes, it’s easy to get into the mindset of bath time being a chore. But when we view it as something that we have to get through and not something that can be fun, we set ourselves up to hate the process.
Instead, I like to view bath time as any other activity that my daughter does in her day. Just as we go outside to play or watch a movie to unwind, bath time is another way to fill the time in our day. And when I view it as something that’s enjoyable and fun, it becomes that.
In Summary
Bath time is a great foundation to having a strong bedtime routine, as well as a great way to engage with your little one. And, of course, keep them smelling nice.
A bedtime routine is one of the essential elements of having a good sleeper, so it’s something I talk about often. When you have a consistent routine, it not only helps prevent bedtime battles, but it ensures your little one is receiving the connection that they crave.
If you don’t have a bedtime routine yet, check out this post on how to create the perfect bedtime routine and begin to assemble a routine that works for you. Remember, the goal is to start small with sustainable tasks that you can complete daily.
Now, go pour in those bubbles (and maybe a glass of bubbly for you?) and enjoy your new bath time experience!
