Unsupervised bath time?

[Nettie]

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Cookie - I completely agree with not making excuses. Who cares what others think - as long as you've made your own peace with your actions - that's all that matters. I certainly didn't want to judge anyone!

Sirenz - Liam can be a bit like your DS. If he thinks you're not looking, he'll just have to try ... ! Ratbags, aren't they?

I know I'm not yet ready to leave him alone for any stretch of time (would even hesitate to go to the loo as he would act as above!), but I honestly had no idea what others did.

So thanks guys! Feel free to add more if you have further comments!

[Doing my best]

If I have to go further than the toilet, right next door to bathroom (common occurence when I was pg) or the linen cupboard, across the hall, then I have DH watch DD if he is home, otherwise she is out of the bath to come with me.. I encourage her to splash and talk to me if I do have to leave her, just so I can hear her.

She loves water and tries to swim in an inch of water, so there is no way I could leave her to go answer the ph or the like.. But sometimes I wish I could.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

^^ I think the thing is, my DS doesn't mover in the bath. He won't even reach for a toy. If he was more mobile I would probably be there all the time but I know he doesn't move. Just chats and splashes.

[Smoke Jaguar]

I can't remember when DS started unsupervised baths. It was ages ago. We have also been teaching DS how to swim and be comfortable in water since he was about 4 months old and is the only kid in his class who will wobble the diving board to get a good bounce before jumping in, so things may well be different with the next kid! DS has been dive bombing in the bath, which is disconcerting for other kids when they share bathtime...!
That's our experience, HTH

[fionas]

DD is 2 and a very bad combo of a silly goose and a daredevil so I would only duck out to get something and then go back. Things she does in the bath:

stands up (that's fine) then says "bounce" and jumps back down in so her bum crashes against the bottom of the bath.

lies on her back, holds on to the sides of the bath (even though she can't reach the sides properly), puts her head right back so her hair gets wet and kicks her legs so hard that the bathroom floor gets soaked

tries to get out a million times which is dangerous because our bath has really high sides (an old clawfoot) so she could easily fall back in again

She just loves water. The other day we went to the swimming pool and she kept getting out of the toddler pool and dashing over to the ladies doing aqua aerobics in the big pool and we only just managed to grab her a couple of times before she jumped in.

She basically has no fear and not much sense so that's why I wouldn't leave her on her own for any more than 30 seconds.

[Glamourcide]

I know I'm not yet ready to leave him alone for any stretch of time... but I honestly had no idea what others did.

I think with all things, it's instinct and knowing what's best for you and your little ones, as their mum. It definitely helps to know what everybody else is doing to gauge your own parenting, but the day you feel comfortable leaving him to splash in the tub is the day that it's right for you guys

[Gigi]

i changed my habits after i went to a Kiddie first aid course.

now i have a babygate on the bathroom doorway. not sure what i will do when she is able to climb over that, she's a very short nearly 3yo, so far, it's working.

now i have all the hair products etc in a basket high up, on those 3M hooks you stick to the wall, so DD cannot get to them.

we've always had a rubber mat in the bath tub to avoid slipping and i got a inflatable thing to put over the tap. (safety shop at hospital has those).

i think if there was room for a comfy chair (for me) in the bathroom, i would like it better - to be there for her splashing about and having fun.

The towels are stored in the bathroom.

i'm also glad our loo is right next to the bathroom, so i can go if i'm busting, and talk to DD the whole time (which i try to rush).

We aim to have her baths when both of us adults are home. I realise i only have that luxury as her other parent lives in the same place and doesn't work away or night shifts.

[Erin_25]

Ooooh yeah I have a stool in the bathroom, so I can sit & watch & play. Makes things much easier. I also use the time to give myself a quick cleanse & tone, wash off the days makeup....pick a pimple or two LOL...floss my teeth. Plenty of things that can be done in the bathroom for 10mins or so. When DH is home (he's very often away) that's when he showers with DH so I can go off & get something else done.

[MamaPan]

I dont leave DS1 in the bath alone at all - either DH or I sit and talk/play with him - it is nice time... yesterday DH popped out of the bathroom to get a towel and we were both freaked out that he had to do it (i was feeding DS2). when i am home alone with them i feed DS2 in the bathroom while I watch DS1. I think accidents can happen v fast and my DS1 is obsessed with the taps and also stands up. it is also a spa bath and i am scared he willpush the spa buttons...
I dont know what age they say you can leave them, but i thonk it will be a while yet here...

[Catastrophic]

DD1 is 2 1/2 and i have only just started to leave her unattended to rush out and grap a towel or quickly get her pj's, only ever gone 30sec/1min.
DSS1 is 6 and has just started having unsupervised showers and baths alone (he use to always bath with brother/sister)

[[M]umma[M]ia]

i would never leave the bathroom when DD is in the bath. All my cleaning stuff for the bathroom is in there and i take the chance to clean to mirrors, wipe the benches etc. It will be many years before i feel comfortable leaving her in there alone. as Leash said.. whats a whole 10-15 mins out of ur day?

[Smoke Jaguar]

I have removed all toxic things from my bathroom and my bathroom cleaning things are made of bicarb or vinegar or they are Enjo cloths! Even my shampoos and conditioner are Moo Goo, so they have the toxicity of water
Plus, if you are unsure of your child's safety with water, definitely stay with them. I was talking to the lifeguard at the pool the other day (DP takes DS to lessons, I was allowed to spectate cos it was diving board day!) and they all love watching him during his time there cos of what he gets up to with full confidence - in the deep end And that's MY child - no way do I see other kids able to handle what he can and this next one could be the most cautious critter so the stakes will change once more.

[krysalyss]

DS is 2.5yrs and we supervise him in the bath. I just know that things can happen pretty quickly. My nephew broke his leg at 2years just getting out of the bath. I can't see myself leaving him by himself any time soon. Maybe when he is around 4 or 5 years?

[danniellabella]

My DD is 18 months and I am always in or very close to the bathroom while she's in the bath. Her bedroom is directly opposite the bathroom so I go into her room to get her pj's ready and her toys packed up while she's in the bath. She can see me and I can see her from anywhere in her room when she's in the bath so that's not a problem. I'll also go to the toilet if I'm busting. I can't see her, but I can hear her.
If she's in a standing up and not doing as she's told mood then I don't leave the bathroom at all...she's started getting into that bad habit. She'll stand up and then yell "Sdit Down" (sit down). She thinks its a game - not good.