Bathtime

There are 2 years between my oldest and his younger sister, and they shared baths together until he was about 6. I recall reading once in some parenting magazine, that baths between mixed-gender siblings is fine, but should probably be stopped once they start taking notice of their differences, or they/you become uncomfortable with it.

As much as they love to take baths together in my opinion it is time to stop taking baths together. i have a 6 year old and 2 year old and they have stopped taking baths together. As they get older the youngest will start to realize if he hasnt already that the other is different then him and be curious.

I have two boys, so as long as they want to be in there together, I'll let them. I think my sister's boy and girl were about 7 and 5 when they stopped bathing together.

I think as long as both you and they are comfortable with it, it's fine. I don't think there's a magic "age" on this one, I think it's a personal preference.

Hi T.,
I have 4 children and the middle two take a bath together all the time. My son is 6 years old and my daughter is 3 years old at the end of May. I know my oldest son stop letting me come in the bathroom with him when he was about 8 or so. I don't have a problem with my kids having a bathe together right now they are kids, they both know the difference between each other. I think I will stop letting them take a bath together in the next couple years. I have a 4 month old so by the time she is one my 3 year old will want to take a bath with her so I guess it will work itself out. hope this helps mom of 4.

I'm not surprised at the differing of opinions on this subject. Personally, I'd let them take baths together if you are there with them most of the time for the next year or so. If you make a big deal of it and suddenly stop letting them take baths together they'll wonder what is wrong with them. I don't think a Puritanical approach to everything leads to a positive sense of self. There is nothing to be ashamed of here! Also, I think sometimes kids naturally decide for themselves when they no longer comfortable taking baths together. If you notice that they are paying more attention to body parts than normal or not just playing and obvlivious to the nudity, then you may decide its time. Chances are, they won't think anything of it. Bottom line, you know your kids the best and can make the best call on when its time to stop.

I would say to stop letting them bathe together since the oldest of the two is hitting school age, and they are different genders.

It is not recommended for boys and girls to bath/shower together or share a room together. It would be different if they were the same gender but since they are not, I would stop.

Some states say boys and girls should never share a room, while other states recommend putting boys and girls in separate room when they reach school age.

I personally don't see anything wrong with letting them bathe together. As long as they enjoy it and aren't left alone in the bath then I think everything is fine. Most kids don't think about being naked in the bath with someone else-they just think about the fun in the water with a buddy. Personally, my son who is 6 still takes showers with me when we're in a hurry. He knows all about anatomy (plus he went to my college anatomy class with me some) and knows what is inappropriate and what not. I think you'll know when they're too old to bathe together. And if it bothers you-you could let them take every other bath together and they can bathe in their swim suits then you avoid the private parts issue if that is the concern. So in short, you know your kids best so use your best judgement. Hope this helps!!

~N.

At home we're nude alot of the time. I think it's important that our children have a healthy knowlege of the human body and what's appropriate or not. Personally I'll let my children bathe together until they are old enough to shower on their own.

I think this is a perfect time to stop the six year old from taking baths with the three year old. Especially since they are girl and boy. She is getting older and going to Kindergarten and this is a perfect time to transition her from sharing baths. I don't think there is anything wrong with them sharing a bath up till this point. And if they express that they miss the bath time make sure you let them get in the pool over the summer. Because this is a transition though you should probably get some fun activities for the both of them to do while taking baths so that they will not miss the fact that they are not together. They have foam toys and arts and crafts for bath time. Make it fun still for them. Good Luck

I love this website!!! My oldest is 3 and I learned that when he could tell bodyparts apart...it was time for him to take showers with daddy...we call them "showerbaths"!!!