How can I get my 4 year old to shower?

Question

My son FREAKS out when he gets water near his eyes. I'm not sure why, he has been in play 'n learn swim classes since he was 6 months old and LOVES to swim but will NOT put his face in the water or let water be poured over his head. I'm afraid he'll still be taking baths when he's 20 at this rate LOL

Is there anything I can do to help him overcome this? Any ideas would be appreciated :)

I guess it's not just the showering thing that concerns me, we have these things called "splash pads" at our parks here and all the other kids LOVE to play in them and get soaked and my son really likes to play in it but won't run through them like the other kids, and if someone splashes him he cries...

Answer 1

hi I'm going through the same with my four year old..............hates showers i let him in with my husband or i. what i found that works the best was a cup of water pouring it over his head,while tilted and it really works,or get a pair of his play goggles from his play tool chest i use them when i wash his hair keeps the water out,and he can see what your doing, and a quiet shower

GOOD LUCK I HOPE THIS HELPED !!!

Answer 2

He will get over it sooner or later. You should be happy that he will take a bath. Who cares if he is still taking baths at the age of 20? At least he will be clean. If you want him to take a shower then try getting him swim goggles to wear in the shower, while swimming, and at the park in the splash pads. That way if someone splashes him or something the water won't get in his eyes.

Answer 3

Don't force him.
This was an issue with all three of my children.
It's a very big deal for a four year old. Every instinct he has is telling him he should not put his face into/under water.
Until he does it himself, give him a washcloth to cover his eyes and ask him when he's ready for the rinse. He'll feel like he has some control and eventually he will be doing it himself.

Answer 4

my girls are the same way. they are 4 and 5. they hate water in their eyes. I suggest giving him a wash cloth and making a game out of this. have him hold it over his eyes, while they are closed, and have him put his face in the shower water for a second. (some kids think if they can't see it, then it can't hurt.) Even though the wash cloth will be wet, and so will his face, it is not as bad for some reason. tell him that this is how scuba divers learn. Make a game out of all this. good luck

Answer 5

Why do u want him to shower and not bath? Dont force a shower on him. If your son wants to shower he will. Only suggestion i have is when hes in tub run the shower so it dont hit him cause it could be the fact of the shower not the water hitting his face. If he wants a bath when hes 20 let him. Its his choice. Good luck.

Answer 6

My dad forced me into the shower when I was young, he figured if he kept me in their long enough I would get over my fear. I didn't. It made it worse, I would scream if I even heard it. I didn't shower until I was 12.

Please, leave him be. He isn't old enough to be able to keep the water out of his eyes in the shower. When he is more able to figure out how to shower it will do it on his own. There is no rush.

Answer 7

both kids also hated water in eyes. my son is 3. when i wash his hair, i do tell him to tilt back his head while i pour water on hair. doesn't work to well and water gets in eyes. he does cry, but what can you do, nothing, just bath, wash hair quickly. i still think age 4 is still to young to shower.

Answer 8

My son used to be like that. He took baths until he was about 6, I think. When he's ready, he'll let you know.

Answer 9

Let him wear swim goggles while in the shower =)