How long do you let you kids play in the bath? My husband lets our almost 3 year old daughter play in the tub for only about 5 minutes. I usually let her play for about 20 minutes. She gets a bath every other day, and she is an only child so it's not like there is another kid that needs to get in the tub. She is definitely a water baby, during the summer, she could have easily stayed in the pool for well over an hour if we let her.
Thanks Moms,
I did think that about a 1/2 hour is average time for a bath, but I just wanted to hear what other moms were doing. My husband usually does not give her baths so shorts baths are not the norm for her.
I usually let them play until they are done or until a certain time. I know how long to allow for brushing teeth and books, so I'm aware of how much time they have left.
I'd say they are usually done in about 30 minutes. They're just done playing and/or the water has gotten too cold.
I guess I don't know why you would set a time limit unless it's too late in the evening and too close to bedtime. If she's having fun, why make her stop?
At our house we have "playing baths" and "quick baths" the former is about 20 minutes and the latter 5 minutes. what determines quick or play? time of night and how much we have going on - however, we typically plan for the 20 minute bath:)
We trend toward the longer baths, too.
Our older daughter is five, so if she wants a long bath, I know that she's not harrassing her little sister, and she's more or less out of trouble as long as she's in there! Or, at least the mess is contained.
If the younger one wants a long bath, well, she's okay by herself for a few minutes, but not quite old enough to leave her completely to her bath. That bathroom is cleaner than the rest of the house, since I can clean everything but the tub while she's in there. If she's in the master bath, I can fold laundry or whatever in the bedroom. Her long bath is my catch-up time!
I also like to play with them while they're in the bath sometimes. We blow bubbles, and still use washcloth puppets.
If we're running short on time, they get a bath together, and they get their medicine (during allergy season, anyway - which in Austin, is nearly year-round!) in the tub, and I grab a book and read them their bedtime story while they're still in the tub, too. Lets me skip a couple of pre-bedtime steps later.
As long as we don't have to be anywhere, or have anything pressing to do, as long as she wants.
Depends on what she wants and what timeframe we have. If we had a late dinner and a long day, for example, then it might be a "short bath" with just a little play time. Sometimes she requests a short bath herself. I also try to end the bath before it's cold, in part because I let her play in clean water and wash her up at the very end to try to prevent infections.
It may also depend on each parent. DH gets much more involved in SuperDuck's adventures than I do, so their baths tend to be longer. If she does get some longer baths, I wouldn't worry about some baths being shorter. She probably knows by now that Daddy baths are shorter.
When our kids were little, there were days they spent HOURS in the tub...because they had a lot of fun and enjoyed it. They had lots of tub toys. I would sit on the floor in the bathroom and read a book, or pay bills or whatever. What's the rush?
20 min is fine.. If you are sitting with them, they usually can cue when they are done.. I pull the plug and let my boy play until the water has drained out, then he knows it's time to get out. He will sit and play and play if I left the water in... LOL
We start baths at 7, and I let them play up to 7:30-&:45. Usually they come out on their own shortly before that. They LOVE playing in the bath!
If the water is soapy, they get right out. If it is clean, 20-30 minutes.
We had issues with our son going to the bathroom every ten minutes. The urologist concluded after all the tests were fine that he probably got soap (from taking bubble baths or sitting in soapy water) up in there and caused an irritation. It is much more common in girls so they don't get to play in soapy water. They play first, then bathe and get right out.
Unless we're in a big rush, which is not typical...20-30 minutes is the usual. 5 minutes doesn't seem to give them enough time to play, that is more appropriate when you just need to get them in and out.
Probably about 30 minutes. They love it!!!
Bath time is about twenty mins total for bathing both little ones and there play time. Its kinda like a little break for me. Even though I am right there with them.
At that age I would let them play for about 5 maybe 10 mins cause I had other things I needed to be doing. Once they got older and I didn't have to stay right there with them I would let them play longer if we had the time. It's all up to you and how much time you have. Like you said she's an only child so you have more time to focus on her than if you had more.
I try to limit to 20 minutes or so but my husband would let my 3 yr old stay in there for hours while he watches TV. I have trouble right now giving her a bath but I do keep an eye on her when she is in there--pretty hard to bend down at 8 months pregnant. :) She also gets quick showers though so not every day to play with toys and water.
I let my son in there as long he he wants if we have no reason to hurry. Some nights I will even let out some of the water as it gets cold and add more warm water. I will play with him with his toys most times. Some times I call my mom and talk to her while I sit on the bathroom floor. I have also used his tubby time to do sit ups or push ups or something like that in the hallway where I can still see him through the bathroom door.
