When Can I Let My Child Bathe Alone?

Hi S.:
They say,when A child acts visibly embarrassed,when taking off their clothes, in front of you,thats a good sign that they need some privacy. I'd give them that,but leave the door ajar and not be far away. I use to listen while my son would sing and talk to himself in the tub. Any time he got quiet,I'd check on him,by asking him a question through the crack of the door.I'd say,by kindergarten they are aware of their genitals,and become shy. I believe in being safe,however I feel A child need not feel uncomfortable,each time they undress. I wish you and your growing son the best.

My good friend's four year old drowned & died in the bath while he was getting her sister in her PJ's (gone maybe 3 minutes...he and his wife were both in the house...neither more than a room away) the year my son was born...so I'm paranoid...maybe ESPECIALLY because my son is a swimmer and really comfortable in the water. I also know of too many kids (from working at a hospital) who slipped and hit their heads and drowned (some made it some didn't). They were twitching so it sounded like they were fine.

Now...I've been drowned myself (3 times...as a training exercise)...and if you catch it fast enough drowning is something that is TOTALLY recoverable (although it can lead to a tendancy to catch pneumonia). While I know exactly what to do if someone's drowned (although I don't have a crash cart in my house...something I've always wanted) I'm still very very paranoid about it.

Last year when my son was 6, I started leaving the room for a few minutes here and there...but I'd still talk to him while I was gone (if you can talk, you can breath...did you know that? If someone's shouting they're drowning, they're not. As soon as water starts filling your lungs there's a paralytic response...hence part of why waterboarding is so scary). This year (7) I'm leaving him for longer periods...but about half the time I still just sit with a book and read. In pools/rivers/oceans though I keep my eyes on him ... and if there's current I stay within 6 feet. But in a bath I feel I can have my attention on my laptop or in a book.

Nudity isn't an issue in our family...and we've got a few more years before m*********** will be...so for now, I just do as I feel comfortable with. Even though I'm fairly sure he'd be fine, like I said, I'm paranoid.

I think that would be fine. My daughter is 4 and I have a son who is 2. We just keep the door open and the shower curtain open and I can watch them from the kitchen while I"m doing dishes. The bathroom is right across from the kitchen.

If you are to concerned why not start with showers alone? They can still be as fun with those crayons for the shower walls and barbie swimming pools, etc. Plus showers are more sanitary (you are not sitting in your dirty water cleaning yourself. Goggles are a good tool if the water in the eyes is an issue.

Hi S., it depends on the 5 year old, if you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that your daughter wont stand up, and she wont turn the water on especially the hot water, then she should be fine, however I still would peek in every so often. J.

My 5 1/2 year old has taken mostly showers instead of baths since about a year ago, and I think showers are pretty safe. I still lather his hair and his body for him, because I can't count on him to be very thorough. But in terms of leaving him alone in the shower, I'm very comfortable with that.

You did not mention if your daughter knows how to swim, hold her breath under water, etc. I think that makes a big difference. My son knows how to swim, so I wouldn't hesitate to leave him alone in the bath for a few minutes. If he didn't know how to swim, on the other hand, I'm sure I'd feel differently.

It totally depend on the child, my son has been taking baths alone since about 2. He is now 4 and a total fish, love the water and is a strong swimmer. I always stay close and check in on him, I never plug the tub, I just let it fill up and then shut the water off he gets to play until the water drains.

My kids were 5 when I started letting them bathe by themselves. You know her best. Judge how responsible she is, bathing habits. If she's one to still jump and splash, then wait a little. Kids begin to start wanting privacy around this age too. Of course, check to make sure she is cleaning the right way. Perhaps she can use your master bath while you are in your room. If the little one is in the bath, then you need to be there.