My DS is 4 and my DD is 2.5 and they are supervised at all times. Things can happen so very quickly and they are just way too precious to take any risks with.
I would leave DS by himself (almost 4) but if DD (almost 2) was in the bath, either DH and i have to be in there. I dont think i will leave her alone in there until shes old enough to know not to stand up and she can swim basically. Probably around 3 years-ish?
I can't leave my DD 15 months, as she tries to climb the side and has slipped.
If anything has to happen to her though, I know DS would yell out immediatly. They were playing on the verrandah this week and I was inside, (but can see them from our kitchen) and DD slipped between the trampoline. DS was HYSTERICAL - screaming for me that she was hurt and needed help. So I know he would let me know, but I would hate for something to happen if they were alone as it would distress DS as well.
Last edited by lilima; June 3rd, 2010 at 01:32 PM.
My 2 bath together but I never leave them unattended and DD1 is very responsible BUT I don't know what she would do in a situation if DD2 slipped and hit her head etc. I leave DD1 unattended as she is 4 and she talks constantly to herself in the bath so I always know she is ok. I guess I wouldn't leave DD2 alone with her until I was happy leaving her alone by herself, so probably not until she is at least 2.
I wouldn't leave my kids alone in the bath - but it probably does depend on the kids and how comfortable the parents are. I am completely uncomfortable with the idea.
Drowing is a notorious silent killer. A couple of months ago I was in a wadding pool with DS sitting next to me. I had turned away from him to do something with DD1 and I turned back and he was on his back under the water and unable to get up again. It was a horrible horrible experience. I had no idea because it was completely silent. He flailing wasn't loud enough or urgent enough to grab my attention and it was only because I looked at him that I realised. He was 21 months at the time and I had no idea. It still makes me sick to think about it. I think he just went over on his back and he just couldn't get in a position to push himself above the water again partly because he was panicking. We were only in calf deep water.
The other issue with leaving kids alone in the bath is the hot tap. There are precautions that can be taken to ensure the hot tap doesn't burn but it is definitely an issue to consider because if the kids touch the tap and there are no precautions, it can give them bad burns pretty quickly.
Another thing I never considered until it happened to someone here is that showers have some hidden dangers. The mum left her 4yo and 2yo shower alone together and thought they would be safe because the water runs away. The 4yo threw the pile of dirty clothes into the shower and it blocked the plug hole causing it fill with water and the toddler almost drowned. I think she may have been alright in the end but the ambulance had to come and they took her to emergency.
I don't want to be an alarmist, but I think that it is best to know all the issues before making a decision and if you are aware of the dangers, precautions can be taken. I think most people get caught out with the things that they don't know about or think about. Hope that helps.
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