When Do Kids Shower Themselves?

Question

My wife showers my son but I want my son to shower himself. When do you think it's a good age for my son to start to shower himself? Also, when should he start to cut his own nails? Thanks!

Answer 1

My son is 6 years old and he does it all by himself.

I started this with him when he was 4. I would stand in the bathroom while he showered and show him how to wash up. After awhile he got the hang of it.

So now all I do is start the water for him and he does the rest. He will shut it off, get dried off and then get his own clothes, put the clothes in the laundry room.

As for clipping is own nails, I haven't started that with him yet.

Answer 2

Children do things themselves when they're developmentally ready. This is at a different time for all children. Your wife (or you) should gradually release bits of the task as your son masters them. Not only should he be able to do a thorough job, but he should also be completey safe. As for doing his nails, the same is all true...but I would imagine that he'd be quite a bit older than the showering age.

Remember, he'll be just as much a man when he grows up whether or not his mother showered him at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7 and so on. Obviously you wouldn't want either of you showering him if he shows signs of embarressment or discomfort. If that happened, safety and effectiveness would still be issues, and if he is unable to do it himself, then a bath is in order.

Answer 3

By 5 or 6 is a good age. As far as cutting own nails, I would not suggest that until 10-12 perhaps. I normally would say 12+, but we do have a 10 year old who does occassionally ask to borrow them for his nails - rather biting his nails off. He is in the age, of 10, going on 15. Yikes

Answer 4

well my son is 3 years old and hes been taking baths by himself since he was 2 1/2 and he understood what he could and couldnt do and how he shouldnt go under the water and when he has the shower on keep the curtain closed... the nail thing, to me was always a mommy and me time.... for some reason.. lol

Answer 5

7

Answer 6

My children were all five when they took showers by themselves. I think that the nail thing is a hard one to put an age on. My daughter is ten and she does her own. My sons are 7and8 and I still do theres or they probably never would. I worry also about them hurting themselves.

Answer 7

Depending on the developmental skill of your child at his age it could be from 6-8 years old. Start off by letting him shower himeself then go in to check behind the ears and if his hair is clean or just wet...lol
It will help him mature knowing you trust him to get the job done and done well. He will also gain privacy that will be much needed in the years to come.
I raised two sons and taught them to be independant early on. When they were teen age they did their own laundry too. It was a big help for a working mom.
Good Luck and help him grow and learn.
As for the nails, teach him and seehow he does.

Answer 8

Showering - when he reaches the point where he can wash his hair properly without getting shampoo in his eyes and still keep his hair and body clean you should start him off with baths first, help him out but don't get in with him just watch him to make sure he's doing everything correctly

Nails - when he can hold a pencil and write neatly because that means he has enough muscles in his hands and can control the nail cutter that way he won't cut himself in the wrong places

Answer 9

my son is 3 yrs.old and he can pretty well shower himself. He is a very independent kid. He does a very good job. He needs a little help with his hair, but pretty well with just rinsing. It all depends on the kid. Mom also has to learn to judge when the kid should be able to do it by themselves. Gradually let him start to do things himself. Talk him through it if you have to. Why don't you give him a bath once in a while so you can see for yourself if you think he is ready.

Answer 10

6 years oldt o shower, cut nails around 9 or 10