problem is... all my children are so attached to me they prefer their dad to bathe and clothe them. I have been doing these chores since they were born.
2006-07-12 20:33:42 · 45 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Hmmm, not sure this is really a problem if you both still enjoy the time together but I can think of two paths - one way is to slowly turn the various duties over to her until you are just hanging out with her while she bathes and then start to fade out your presence during bath time.
The other would be to make it a "right of passage":
Do YOU know what happens when beautiful little girls turn 6 years and 6 months old??? They start bathing ALL BY THEMSELVES!!! Why, do you realize you are only 2 MONTHS away?!? OK, I have to be sure you know everything to do - so we'll start practicing you taking your own bath while I just hang out with you - because in ONLY 2 MONTHS, you will be doing it all alone, like a big girl!!!
OK, you get the idea. Maybe have a special dinner where she gets cool bath products of her own when the big day comes. LOTS of hugs and clapping when she emerges after the first big solo bath, etc.
But be sure this is what you really want. Is there other time you can spend together instead? Can you do this in a way that will not send a message that it is somehow wrong or shameful to be naked in front of a someone close to you?
What a great dad to worry about things like this! She is lucky to have you.
Best wishes for a smooth transition, whatever you decide.
2006-07-12 20:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by R 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's alright for a six year old to still have daughter-daddy time. You bathing her is alright occasionally, but maybe you should make it more of a special thing than a daily thing. Start teaching her that it's ok for her to be in the tub alone and let her wash herself with you in the room first. Once she gets comfortable you can leave the room, but I would advise leaving the door open and being close by. Children can drown in small amounts of water, and plus six year olds can make pretty big messes. Some days you can help her with her bath and have story time and all of that good stuff. She's only six. When she's 13 you'll be looking back wishing you had more of that time.
2006-07-12 20:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by Courtney 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, why have you been allowing the father to bathe a little girl? Secondly, tell your daughter that it is time for her to be a big girl and to take showers by herself. If she needs help, the mother will be coming to her rescue. If there is an older sister, then she could bathe with the 6 yr old.
2006-07-12 20:39:56 · answer #3 · answered by wonderwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell her that you "expect for her to bathe herself because she is a big girl now" and not a baby. You could ask mom or an aunt to observe and make sure she is doing a good job of bathing herself for a few times . She should do fine bathing herself and brushing her own teeth at age 6. She is school-age and bathing is a task that must be mastered at this time. Simply tell her that. She does not need ANYONE to bathe her at this age, but only to observe for her safety in the tub.
2006-07-12 20:44:05 · answer #4 · answered by Jess4rsake 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is really sad that you even have to ask this question! Daddies should be able to take care of anything that their babies need! But in this day and age I can truly see why this kind of question would come up!! And not that your hubby is a suspect but now days so many men do hurt their children! My husband worships the ground my daughter (8) walks on and would never hurt her! (as I am sure your hubby is the same!) It's just sad that good daddies are looked at in the same light as bad daddies! Can you tell I feel very strongly about this? Well anyway, just tell her the truth (in an age appropriate way) and she will understand. That is what my hubby and I did and it seemed to work fine!! Good luck and God bless you for being such good parents!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-07-12 20:58:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off start by having her wash herself while you are in the bathroom with her when she does this praise her on how well she washed herself. Do this for a week or two then start telling her you want to see if she can do it without daddy watching so your going to go sit outside the bathroom for 10 mins. then come check and see if you washed REALLY good. If she does praise her on this and make her feel like a big girl do this for a week then tell her from now on daddy is going to run the water and you want her to bath dry and dress then you will come help her brush her hair and teeth. Just make sure you keep it a game keep telling her see is such a big girl and so forth.
2006-07-12 20:48:50 · answer #6 · answered by shellshell 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with being honest with her. Let he know that she's a big girl now and big girls bathe themselves. Talk it up, make it sound like a very grown-up thing to do and lavish praise on her once she accomplishes this. If she's scared to be in there alone, sit with her the first few times to make sure she bathes properly and talk to her to put her at ease. Have her clothes laid out for her so she can put them on herself. Afterwards read a story together, watch a TV show together, have some milk and cookies so there's still that "togetherness" that she craves. Good luck.
2006-07-12 20:39:35 · answer #7 · answered by adagia27 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I kinda agree with the "ok your a big girl now' thing
if that becomes too difficult you might start out with something as
small as just ;pulling the shower curtain closed, then gradually move your self out of the room,
Also every child is different so if she's not ready take your time,
but once you pick a how to, stick with it for consistancy.
Good Luck and God Bless
2006-07-12 20:39:25 · answer #8 · answered by Old Wise One 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Now is the time to tell them that all this while you were teaching them how to bathe and all and now you think it is safe that they will not scald themselves or anything, and now you trust them, so they can bathe by themselves because they are big girls now.
To prove it take them to the store and let them each pick their own shampoo, conditioner and soap and that way they will have their own stuff in the bath now...
I don't think you will have any problems...
2006-07-12 20:40:35 · answer #9 · answered by Pete 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to tell her she's too old for you to bathe her. Just encourage her to do it on her own. It will give her a since of independence.
Also, try buying her some cool, kid oriented bath soap and sponge. She will feel like it's something special to do it on her own.
Praise her for her autonomy.
2006-07-12 20:40:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋