My Duaghter Keeps Taking Baths Sometimes Without Me Knowing.

My 5 yo son went through a phase just like this when he was 4. I just told him that if he wanted to take a bath he needed to ask me, and if we didn't need to go anywhere I would usually let him. He would take about 3-4 baths and most of the time played for 20-30 min. I can't explain why he wanted that many baths but it only lasted for a few weeks...and then it was on to the next phase. But he is also my water baby who loves the water and is the most comfortable in it.
I would work on the communication factor of her letting you know when she wants a bath...that can be a building block to communication later on for bigger matters

Hello C., My name is N. & I have a daughter that is now 9 & a 1/2 that used to do this too. I have to admit that it went on for a while on & off for about a year or so. Then it stopped, it seemed like it was just a phase. I sat her down one day & talked with her like she was a very young little adult & asked her why she took so many baths. She replied: "Because I want to be clean Mommy, thats all". I seen nothing wrong with it. She was very safe with the amount of water she put in her tub & after I caught on to when she was doing it I would start checking on her secretly, she was fine & didn't even know I was there. It was a win win situation.
Hope this helps you out. Good luck in your situation.
N.

I would agree that you can't take any chances with children and water. Figure out some way to make sure she is not taking a bath unsupervised. I like the suggestion about the clock with a sticker. To add to that maybe you can make a small sticker chart for chores. As a teacher I know children enjoy doing tasks/chores and collecting stickers, especially if they get a prize. It might also help with something she doesn't enjoy doing like putting dishes in the sink or brushing teeth. For example if she aks you to prepare her bath and brushes her teeth everyday for a week she gets a reward. Lastly, if your daughter is in the tub to play with water maybe you can get a water table. I've seen them in classrooms. She can play with the water without getting in it. Sort of like a sandbox, but with water. If you can find a table that is tall with a shallow table-top, you can fill with water and toys. You can mix it up and add other things like rice or corn. Children enjoy digging and scooping, etc.

I'd be worried about her drowning or scalding herself. Do you actually find her in the tub, or in the process of trying to take a bath? Either way, get an outside lock for the door or a chain lock that you can put very high up so that she couldnt' reach it even if she stands on a chair.

I wouldn't make a production out of showing her the lock. She'll notice when she can't get in; you can let her in to use the potty and then she has to come back out. You can get a big clock for her and have her put a sticker on the time of day she'd like to take a bath. You can put another sticker on the half hour mark and tell her when the hand is pointing to that sticker, it's time to get out. She only gets one bath/day so if she asks for a bath, you can show her the clock and tell her it's not yet time.

My kids loved to play in the tub and it was very calming so sometimes I just put them in there for something to do. Maybe she just thinks it's fun. Maybe she would like to go swimming! I don't think it's a psychological problem, but she could slip and fall or worse if unattended...

My only advice is to somehow barricade or lock the bathroom door, with a gate or some other device. If you have a bathroom with only a toilet and no tub, just make sure that she goes potty in that bathroom. The other option is to figure out how to turn off the water supply to the bathtub unless you are in there.

I don't want you to come to the conclusion that your daughter is responsible enough to get and take her own bath simply because she has done so well so far. It will only take one time and a couple of seconds to regret that decision. I personally don't care how often a child takes a bath but I do think you need to always know simply for safty concerns. I suggest checking the internet for bathtub safty attachments you can use. This way your daughter must come to you to get water for her bath and you can do the Mommy suppervision thing which she still needs at the age of 4. Another behavior management tool is taking a more direct route. Tell her she can only take a bath after getting your permission (like only going outside after getting your OK). Then there will have to be consiquences when she gets in the bath without your knowledge (if she really likes her baths simply making her get out as soon as you notice her in there, along with a scold and lecture of the new rule she must follow, may be enough punishment...you decide). As it sounds like you agree, our children's safty is too important to ignore. You are doing a fine job. May your husband return safly and soon.