Any suggestions on getting a 2 yr old to take a bath?

Question

I have tried everything, from the soap crayons to the bath paint and nothing seems to work. every night its a constant battle to give my son a bath. please help

Answer 1

This might sound crazy, but how about a shower? Tell him it's like playing in the rain.

He doesn't need a bath every night, by the way. Especially in the winter if you live in a cold region. His skin will dry out. Maybe that's part of the problem - too many bath nights.

Answer 2

I completely understand where you are coming from. I have the same problem with my 21 month old son. He starts whinning when I start filling up the tub and tries to run for cover (usually by hiding behind daddy - which doesnt work), I read the previous suggestions and I'm not sure if any will work for my son... so I did some research of my own and hopefully it will help you too:

Here is one that seems like it might be work. Instead of giving your son the bath toys after the bath has been filled. Try getting him in the tub when its dry and letting him play for a little then filling up the water slowly.

You can try filling the tub (only a few inches) with water then turn on the shower (make sure you turn the shower on before your son gets in the bath because sometimes the water can either come out COLD or HOT which will turn your child off completely. This may be fun for your son.

This is only a phase so if you can get him to easily take a shower with you or your hubby then it might save a lot of aggrivation on both sides.

Also, buy a bottle of wine for you.. after he goes to bed, kick up your feet and relax with a glass of wine!!

Hope some of this helps! Take Care.

Answer 3

It may not be the bath itself he's trying to avoid, but what he knows comes next (bed). If the bath is the first thing in your routine, you may want to move bathtime to a different time during the day (and a 2 year old doesn't need a bath everyday anyways, maybe 2-3 times per week). My son (3) gets upset when I tell him to go use the potty at night (every other time during the day he uses it as needed) because he knows its the precursor for bed

Answer 4

Honestly, you sound like you're letting your son be the parent here. Fill up the tub, put him in, and don't listen to the protests. The end. You're not hurting your child by making sure he's clean, but you are hurting him by letting him think he's in charge and gets a say in the matter; it'll only get worse as he gets older.

I'm not trying to sound cruel or mean, I swear! I'm just trying to start with step 1 and then you can move on to getting lots of tub toys, telling him how proud you are of him when he's being good and getting clean, that it makes you sad when he doesn't obey/listen to you, etc... children really just want to make their parents happy!!

If that's not working for either of you, give him a choice: "Would you like to take a bath or [insert something he'd hate even worse here]?" Maybe the 2nd option could be going to bed 'right now,' and make it 5-10 minutes earlier every night? Now he still gets to be a big boy and make the decision, but doesn't realize that you're not really giving him an option!! lol

Good Luck!

Answer 5

My nephew didn't like baths but if mom or dad had him in the shower with him, he LOVED it... he likes the water coming down as someone else said, it feels like rain.

Another nephew, even the "someone with him" still didn;t like baths or showers at 2 years old. So one day when I meant it as a joke I told his mom "Give him a cookie if he takes a bath!!" lol (as an reward)...... and he looked at me all excited and ready to have a bath .... so for him.... as long as he can have a cookie or sweet after his bath he'll take one without a fuss.

All kids are different. Find out what works best :-)

Answer 6

Let him have a bowl of warm water and a wash cloth instead of a bath?

The shower idea above sounded like a good one to try.

Ask him how he wants to get clean and have him show you if he doesn't have enough words to tell you. If it gets him clean and doesn't harm anything, let him go his way.

I agree that he probably doesn't need a full on Bath every night. Baby Wipes, Washcloth to get the sticky dirty parts, and really, he'll live to see the next day.

See if he'll bathe in the sink? Some kids think that's hysterical. Especially if you let him "wash" the plastic dishes with himself. (well, it worked for a friend of mine)

Answer 7

I know this may sound strange, but maybe try the shower. I usually let my daughter draw on the shower walls and sometimes watch her favorite show. Maybe a bath is just not your kids thing! Try the shower, the first couple times might be a bit different or scary, but give it a couple of tries. Plus, you or your spouse being in there might make it less scary!

Answer 8

You are the Mommy, he is a child. Whether he wants to take a bath or not should not be an issue! At his age, he is raising a fuss because you are either letting him or in some way encouraging it.

I am not trying to give you a hard time, honestly. When my daughter was about 2 my mother had to explain this all to me. I am an adult. I am in control. The kid can scream all she wants to, she still has to take a bath, she still has to go to bed, she still has to clean up after herself. Once you establish with your son that his behavior isn't going to doctate or alter yours, then you can reclaim your role as parent. Until then, you have the rest of your life to put up with being treated this way.

Sobering thought, ain't it? It sure woke me up!

Answer 9

If he's scared of the big tub, try a smaller one (use a rubber maid tote or something), or get in the tub with him.

If he just won't take a bath because he's too busy, try a shower. But don't worry...as long as they get one bath a week (barring any stinkiness from hot summer days), and the visible dirt cleaned off daily with a wash cloth, they are fine.

If you feel creepy about being naked in a shower or tub with your kid, then dress the both of you in swimming suits. He'll still get cleaned.

Answer 10

Do they still make wind up boats for the bath. I have to agree with the other lady, change the schedule up so he dosen't have to go straight to bed. Say a bath , some relaxing time to watch tv, then bed