My Son HATES Taking a Bath!!

Updated on April 23, 2008
L.W. asks from Oneonta, AL
9 answers

My four year old son HATES taking a bath!! I've tried every fun thing for the tub that I can think of, (tub crayons, the spray foam soap, toys and more toys and lots of other stuff) but he still kicks and screams!! I have tried rationalizing..most of the time, I just end up dragging him, kicking and screaming to the tub..he's got to have a bath!! I'm just at my wits end!! I have tried talking to him, and finding out why he doesn't like taking a bath, and he won't say anything. Nothing has ever happened to make him scared or anything, so I just don't know what it is..Any suggestions?? Bath time should be fun, and now, the whole family dreds it! HELP

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So What Happened?

I really appriciate all of the advice. I've tried the shower thing, and he HATES getting water in his face, so for now, that's not an option. Last night, I went and bought a small plastic pool and filled it up with warm water (yeah, it was a little extra trouble, but better than having to drag him kicking and screaming to the tub) and we put in lots of bubbles, gave him a few boats, and he had a blast!! I snuck in shampooing his hair and bathing him while he was playing, and we had NO problems. Thanks for this great idea, it totally changed bath time. He asked right before bed when he'd get to do it again!! Thanks again!!

More Answers

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N.K.

answers from Nashville on

My son hates taking baths as well. In the summer months, we fill up a mini P. (just a few bucks at the Dollar store) that is just his size and fill it with warm water (which requires about six trips back and forth from the kitchen - we use a big lobster pot) and bubbles. We let him brings toys in it, and of course he is able to walk around the deck and get in and out of the tub/P. easily, but it reminds him more of a day at the beach then it does bathtime. I slip in washing him and his hair while he's busy playing, or while he's standing up to get another toy. It takes a bit more preparation, but it sounds like you wouldn't mind as long as he gets clean! :) Hope this helps some!

2 moms found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Hey L.,

I have a three year old that I have to trick into taking baths also. I finally found what will work, most of the time, bubbles and a boat. He still has his moments where he refuses to take a bath but all I tell him now is sorry you are not going to be stinky and wash away. Yeah, he is not a happy camper but then he gets over it.

A.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.M.

answers from Chattanooga on

You know i hate to keep giving the same advice, but it sounds to me like there is something about the way the water feels on his skin that bothers him and maybe he just cant explain it, i know a lot about this cause my son has autism and these things are common in autism but even though your son isnt autistic he could still have some sensory issues with water, does he do the same thing in a pool? washing his hands? if he does then maybe you should consider an occupational therapist, they help with these sort of things, and no it doesnt mean that there is anything wrong with your son but if you are out of answers then i am sure this is worth a shot and this is what these therapist are for......

1 mom found this helpful
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M.

answers from Birmingham on

Have you tried letting him take a shower instead? Sounds like he may be old enough. My 19 month old loves taking showers. If we're not in with him, I at least have to help him wash, but he loves standing in the running water.

1 mom found this helpful

K.C.

answers from Nashville on

Have you tried getting in with him? Maybe he will not be so scared if mommy is there and can have some fun. Then perhaps as time goes on he will look forward to it. Just a thought. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.N.

answers from Nashville on

I agree with several of the other ladies, let him take a shower. My son too went through a period, when he was about 4, where he despised bath time. We switched to the shower and often times my husband would get in with him, just to make sure he got really clean. We also got him his own fun shower puff, we put the soap on it and lather it up really well, he had a blast getting himself all soapy. My son is now 6, he takes both baths and showers, but still really loves to take a shower.

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P.A.

answers from Tuscaloosa on

Let son take a shower with his dad or by himself.
It worked for us. one or two times w/dad and he was on his own. He thinks he is a "big boy" now.

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T.

answers from Chattanooga on

Try giving hinm a shower instead. My husband gives our kids (ages 3 and 5) "showerbaths." He hooks up a sprayer to the shower head. The kids sit in the shower floor and get a bath but they get sprayed off with the sprayer. This way, they are not sitting in dirty water the whole time. They love it. Good luck!

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S.V.

answers from Johnson City on

Another idea to keep water from his eyes is goggles. We took are son to get pick out two pairs, one for the pool & one for baths. He thought this was fun & special (retile eyes were his favorite bath goggles so he loves looking at his new eyes in the mirror). Some times he still doesn't like water on his face so we made a game. He has to hold a cup under his nose, while he tilts his head forward. I dump water from a cup or sports bottle (to make it funnier) and see if he can let it roll off his nose into the cup & fill it up before all the bubbles from his hair are gone. He wants me to keep rinsing long after I've got all the soap off.

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