How Old Were Your Kids When They Started Showering on Their Own??

Updated on February 21, 2012
L.M. asks from Chicago, IL
18 answers

My daughter, who is 6 1/2, is wanting to shower on her own and I've been working with her to teach her how to get clean and all rinced, hair washed/conditioned and everything. I'm starting to mourn the bathtime ritual we have had for 6 years.

How old were your kids when they started showering and how old were they when they were completely on their own??

*sigh*

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

A.R.

answers from St. Louis on

My little one is almost 6, and he loves to shower himself! I let him do it, but I am close to him to supervise him, and basically see he won't fall; he does a great job! The older one (he's 11) started at about the same age.

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter will be 10 in a couple of months, and I still have to help her with her hair. She has a lot of really thick hair and just doesn't get it clean enough on her own. She does everything else then calls me when it's time for her hair.

More Answers

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

my kids were around 6/7 when they started doing on thier own... but I still came in and checked thier hair to make sure it was clean and all the shampoo out until about 8/9.

If they weren't getting thier hair clean ( still greasy after washing it,) I would help them for about a week then would let them try it again alone until they mastered it

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Chicago on

Mine were about that age, the first few showers I stayed in the whole time to "talk them through it," then I started going in and out just to be sure they were staying on task and I would check their hair right before getting out. Now my son (9) does everything completely on his own and has been for quite awhile. My daughter (7) still needs her hair checked before getting out but otherwise is on her own. My 4 yo has jumped in a couple of times with his older brother, but I still have to soap up his puff, give him the right amount of shampoo and help him rinse his hair. The bath is still easier for him right now, but he loves being a "big boy." I think she is ready for the transition.

1 mom found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

5 but I stay very close to the bathroom while he does it.

1 mom found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

Not every night, but my 5 yr old has been showering by himself for about 6 mos. I've still got 2 that I give nightly baths to, so I am not mourning it. I come in and lather and rinse his hair for him when he's ready, but he does a good job otherwise.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Washington DC on

my kids were bathing/showering somewhat on their own at about 6 (around 1st grade). They did still need some help with things like shampooing their hair, but other than that they took care of it themselves.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.D.

answers from Dallas on

Well, my oldest started taking showers around age 5, he's 8 now and is completely solo. My second child started taking showers at age 3 (cause she saw older brother and thought it looked fun). She is now 5 but I'm in the process of helping her get herself clean and teaching her. But, when I'm in a hurry, I still make her have a bath as I'm quicker at giving a bath than a shower;) Now my third and youngest child, she started at age 2 after watching big sister. They love to get in together and chase each other around (I have a larger shower in my master bath). She can't do any of it on her own so I roll up my pant legs and pull up my sleeves and do the best I can to get her soaped up without getting myself soaped up in the process:)

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

I started the first day of summer break, teaching my girls to shower solo. They were like 2 and 3 at the time (I was a single mom, so independence from all parties was kind of required)... because it was summer, it was okay if they didn't properly rinse all the shampoo in the beginning. If it was REALLY bad, I'd make them go back in and rinse off again. But, after a few weeks, they got the hang of it ;)

At first I'd stay in there with them in case they needed help with the cap to the shampoo (I got them 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioner, that's easiest), then, they knew to holler for me if they needed help, and before the summer was over, they could do it completely themselves.

Now, they're 6 and 8 and pros! I feel a little bummed because my 2 year old son is so NOT as independent as my girls are/were... this summer, we'll work on it :)

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

My kids all do it on their own. My daughter is 8, and my boys are 6 and 4. We taught them how to do it and they are really good at getting clean. The boys still need some help washing their hair right, but they're good.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from New York on

My daughter started standing in the shower somewhere around 2 1/2. It is still an occasional thing, and I sit right outside and talk to her, get her soaped, etc. I would expect that by 6 1/2 she should be able to do it herself, but I would still probably stay pretty close, make sure everything is in easy reach, etc.

J.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

my 5 year olds been doing it for 6 months, I still do her hair because she hates getting soap in her eyes,, other than that shes in there on her own. I'm sure if she forgets to scrub a certain spot the 20 minutes shes playing nder the water with the loufa and scrubbing the walls will rinse anything major off=)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.M.

answers from Detroit on

My son just turned 3 and has been taking showers alone (I stay in the bathroom) for a few months. I put a only enough shampoo for one wash into a small squirt bottle and he can wash his own hair and body. We gave him a lot of practice showering with us until there wasn't enough room anymore! We taught him about the faucet and that he isn't allowed to touch it, and he follows the rules. I turn the water on and off, set the temperature, and stay in the bathroom to make sure he is OK. I do dry him off and get his PJs on.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Washington DC on

My DD HATES showers...she's 8 and only wants baths. She's independent, but I have to help her rinse the shampoo out of her hair. I also have to help get the water the right temperature since our faucet tends to be inconsistent with the water temperature.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.

answers from Augusta on

By 6 mine were on their own, closer to 5 for my son , he's the more responsible of the two.

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

Each of my boys were about 5. They love showering!

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

My girls are capable of showering on their own, however for my older daughter, she was about 7.5 before she could wash her hair really well on her own (she has tons of hair, thick, curly, and long). My younger one has shorter hair, but it's still so thick that it's hard for her to get it properly rinsed (she is 6.5). So in terms of getting their bodies clean, that's something they've been able to do since around 6 years old, but for little girls with a lot of hair - that takes longer IMO.

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

my 5 year old has taken showers since he was stable enough on his feet :) he doesn't do it "himself" though - i still get the shampoo in his hair, make sure it's rinsed, etc.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions