keeping DD sitting during bath time

[JoeSpratt]

Now that DD is standing (& almost walking - 4 steps today!) I am having the hardest time keeping her sitting during bath time. She absolutely hates the shower and we end up watering the entire bathroom. I have put a non slip mat in the bath to stop her slipping over but that seems to have just encouraged her to stand even more! Even if we ask nicely for her to sit on her bottom she just gives a cheeky grin and continues doing as she pleases. You can tell she understands what we are asking her to do and if we try to make her sit down she just starts screaming. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Joe

[Jakabella]

Bella is not to bad but she also prefers to stand - so now I have a bath with her and fill the bath up nice and high and she either sits in my lap or she stands between my legs so I have a noce grip on her and she is 3/4 covered by water and she can still have a splash around - its a really fun time of night for us! She laughs and laughs and I can washe her hair and get her clean while she plays.

HTH
Kate

[Heaven_Sent]

Why dont u use a bath seat? that way she cant stand.

[amberj]

We went through this struggle and triumphed, but it was a long road and consistently saying "sit down, sit down, sit down" and then sticking our son back on his bum when he wouldn't listen. We never made a big deal of it on the basis that he could just be seeking attention, so if he didn't sit when we said, we would physically put him down again and ignore any protest. It took a couple of weeks at least, but now he's a champ and never stands.

The key was just persistence and consistency, and staying calm. When I would get frustrated, it helped me to remember that kids test boundaries to make sure the boundary is still there, because boundaries make them feel safe. So I didn't see it as naughtyness (despite the cheeky smile), but as 'seeking reassurance'!

[Jac]

I am quite sure this is just a phase. Now that she can stand so well she is most likely enjoying practising this skill whenever she can. It's actually much easier to wash a standing child and you can just use a container to rinse her. May mean baths are a little shorter but I would try not to make a big deal out of it and let her stand if she wants - she'll get sick of it soon enough and will be back to sitting and paddling in no time.
ETA - you could try some new and interesting bath toys as she might wish to sit and examine them. Bubbles work a treat in the bath too ("sit down and I'll blow you some bubbles")

[[M]umma[M]ia]

everytime Mia stands up, we get her out. She has learnt now that she will only stand when she wants to get out. Its the only thing that has worked for us. The first 2 times we did, she didnt like it coz she did want to stay in the bath.. but now, she sits unless she wants to get out.

[aussienic]

All mine have done this exact thing.. This is what we did

When they stodd we told them to sit down, 2nd time we told them if they didn't sit they would have to get out.. 3rd time we took them out and said we told you to sit down but you didn't now it is time to get out..

It does pass though

[Indadhanu]

everytime Mia stands up, we get her out. She has learnt now that she will only stand when she wants to get out. Its the only thing that has worked for us. The first 2 times we did, she didnt like it coz she did want to stay in the bath.. but now, she sits unless she wants to get out.

:yeahthat:

The first time she stands, we say "bath time is sitting time", and if she stands again we say "ok, Jazzy is standing up, she wants to get out of the bath", and we get her out. Now she only stands when shes ready to get out, or sometimes when she's being especially cheeky lol.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

hahahhaa leash, I will go to pick Mia up when she is standing and she will quickly sit and laugh at me. I cant help but laugh. But still, i get her out. No sitting = No more bath.

[rufalina]

When they stood we told them to sit down, 2nd time we told them if they didn't sit they would have to get out.. 3rd time we took them out and said we told you to sit down but you didn't now it is time to get out..

I use this method... It works pretty well... except when hair washing... DS hates water in his eyes, and I do let him stand up for hair rinsing, but he sits straight back down after...

[MamaPan]

i feel like a bit of an idiot - i let DS stand... do i need to do something about this?

[MantaRay]

preagainpan, it's really up to you. If you have non-slip mats or stickers on the bottom of the bath, and your DS is supervised, it's probably ok. Without a non-slip bottom I would be a bit worried as it is very easy for a child to slip in the bath. I think it's the leading cause of chipped teeth in kids! Having said that, I have also struggled to keep my two active DSs sitting down, and they have pulled all the non-slip stickers off now, so we are probably very lucky that we haven't had an accident yet.

[MamaPan]

thanks MR. We do have a non slip mat and we sit with him... hmmmmm may try to get him to sit more..

[{sarah}]

Sounds like the "you stand up, you get out" rule is common in most houses!! We use that, J had two chances & on the third she is out.

[kawazuki]

oh well we are different. we dont mind as we have a mirror built into the wall and encourage DD to look at herself and identify who is who in the mirror and play games.
we are with her at all times though and she also has showers with me and we play and sit and stand and make it more fun than a chore