When to Let the Kids Take Showers by Themselves
By: Keith
Neil (my 7 year old) has just started to take showers unsupervised. By unsupervised I mean that I’m in the next room and ask him how he’s doing every 2 minutes. I have to admit that the boy seems proud of his newfound responsibility, and he’s been trying his best to step up to the challenge. Apart from coming out of the shower with shampoo still on his head half the time, he does well and I’m proud of him. It hadn’t occurred to me that this day would come. Oh, deep in the recesses of my mind I knew it would; but no parent likes letting go of the simple pleasure of bathing their children. It’s just one more reminder that they aren’t 15 pounds of cuddly cuteness anymore, that they’re becoming, gasp, responsible human beings. At least I still have the 5 year old who wants his bath and his rubber ducky (seriously, he’s got a rubber ducky). Considering all Neil’s new responsibility the shower needed a little danger proofing. Some tips:
Remove Razors: It only took one lost eyebrow (half an eyebrow actually) to learn this simple little lesson. Kids see you shave so they want to do it too (I’ve never shaved my eyebrows).
Other Beauty Supplies: Kids don’t need exfoliating scrubs or liquid bath soap (bar soap doesn’t make the tub slippery). All kids need is a bar of soap, a wash cloth and shampoo. I let Neil know the other stuff he shouldn’t touch (which will probably make him want to touch it even more). It might be best just to remove the temptation even though it’s a pain to keep putting it all back in the shower every day.
Hot and Cold Water: Our shower has one big ball and socket knob that goes up for on, left for hot and right for cold. It’s finicky too. I had to be sure the boy knew how to operate it without burning himself before I left him to himself. I gave him a formal lesson with a test and everything.
Shampoo: It’s economical to buy huge economy sized shampoos, but they don’t work for small hands. I put some in a small pump action bottle for the boy so he could manage. Some people think it’s a good idea to get baby shampoo that doesn’t sting, but baby shampoo always stung my eyes when I was a kid so I don’t see the point. Better to just learn not to get it in your eyes, right?
Slip Resistance: Our bathtub isn’t very slippery so I didn’t do anything to it. But, for a slippery tub, kid or not, get a mat or something. Just smart policy regardless.
Be Prepared: The kid might want to shower alone, but he won’t know if you’re standing right outside the door the first few times. In other words, it’s probably a good idea to be there (but out of sight) in case something goes wrong and you have to help.
Neil has done well so far. We haven’t had any accidents. I’m fortunate though that he hasn’t quit his baths cold turkey. He still sometimes wants baths, and that gives me a few more precious moments to ponder the passing of that age – reflections of what was.
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Congrats to Neil!
Mom: He’s really proud of himself. Thanks!
I think it may be harder on us than them, when they move to these new stages.
.-= BigLittleWolf´s last blog ..Body language: Are you a toucher? =-.
Wolf: These rites are definitely harder on us than them. They don’t seem to comprehend my dismay at the rapidity of their growth
Rock on man! I too let my 7 YO shower by himself as I watch TV in the bedroom with the bathroom door open. You gotta cut ‘em loose sometime! He can shower, swim the length of our Olympic sized pool and ride his bike anywhere. No what though? He won’t learn to tie his shoes and this is turning into the bane of my existence!
Hi Keith,
My 8 year old also began showering on his own at the age of 7. And I too thought it bittersweet. Happy he passed that milestone, but also sad that he’s growing up so fast. Congrats to your son though, it’s a big deal.
Nely: Seems you know just what I’m talking about
We love to see them grow, but sometimes it happens a little too quickly for out tastes.