Do you think it is appropriate for parents to take baths/showers with their children?

Question

If so, what age do you think this should stop? My husband and I had a debate about this last night. We also wondered if it was a cultural thing (he is European and I am American). Thanks!

Answer 1

I think its fine. I think it should stop when either the parent or the child feels uncomfortable.
I still shower with my two daughters on occasion. They are 6 and 4. Sometimes its just easier and quicker if I am in a rush to have them jump in with me and quickly get them washed. Or sometimes they just jump in with me. It doesnt happen alot anymore because they prefer to shower by themselves. And I prefer to shower by myself. But it still happens every now and then.
They stopped showering with their Dad at about 18 months Because thats when they noticed that Daddy had something that Mummy and they didnt have. And after that he was just not comfortable showering with them because they were aware that he was different.

I'm Australian

Answer 2

I have a girl & a boy, 10 months apart. I bathed with them until they were about 1 - 2 yrs old, when they were able to hold their own in the bathtub, without slipping & sliding everywhere. I tried the "bath seat" they sell at the stores & I found that the sticky pads never stuck to the tub, and would surface & flip with my baby in it, lol. After they were able to deal with being in the tub alone, they bathed together still, with my supervision, until they were 3 & 4. They are now 7 & 8 and bath/shower solo. I keep my bedroom/bathroom door shut & locked anytime i'm in there, with the exception of the occassional "run, it's an emergency", lol... they have caught me a time or two & I quickly shut the door. It's nice having my own bathroom though, I don't have to worry about privacy too much. But anyway, back to your question, IIIIII feel it is inappropriate past the age of 5, and I stress "I" because everyone feels differently, and to each his/her own. HOWEVER, that being said, I don't think it is very wise to have any child bathing with dad after the age of 1. I think anyone hearing of a child bathing with a man thinks the same thing, as there are so many cases of child molestation, and accused child molestation, among family members, so better safe than sorry. As far as mothers bathing with a child, we gave birth to them, they suckled on our breasts, .. bathing with them is just another way to bond with them. But that type of bonding should end at an early age, or you'll end up with a "too clingy" child. Also, if you DO bathe/shower with your children... DO NOT TELL ANYONE AROUND YOU!!! Some people will call social services just to be mean & vindictive, causing a home invasion for inspection... which can be very embarrassing & uncalled for. So what goes on in your home, should stay in your home!

Hope my opinion helps!!

Answer 3

I am a father of 5 children. In my view there is nothing wrong with parents taking baths with their LITTLE children. I had a great time when my son was only 6 weeks old. I sat him on the palm of my right hand and my left hand supporting his back. And if the bah tub was big enough my wife would joined us too.
At ages of 2 and 3, or 4 it is great fun being in the bath with him. Once he reached the age of 8 it stopped. With my daughters, I would not feel OK beyond ages 2 or 3. We use lots of bubble-bath.
I think we are a bit worried about the constant news of paedophilia. It is not sexual, for God's sake. It is perfectly innocent. It all depends on the age of the child. But I remember reading somewhere in Yahoo answers that in the USA they find it unacceptable.
If you are against it and your husband being European finds it normal, why not join them in the fun and watch your kid scream with joy while water is splashed all over the floor ?!
He loved pouring water down my head while I pretended to drown --- He screamed with laughter....
Baths are OK, I would not shower with my kids at any age.
-----I am from London, England in Europe)

Answer 4

I think the age is when one begins to feel uncomfortable(parent or child). My 3 year old son loves to take a shower with me. He runs around the house naked most of the time and when I tell him I am going to take a shower, he just runs and jumps right in waiting for me, LoL. I will also take my 8 month old into the shower with us. I am not uncomfortable, and neither is my son, so it is perfectly fine for us and not dirty at all.

Answer 5

My guess is your husband thinks it's perfectly fine and you are growing uncomfortable?

Europeans didn't suffer through the Victorian era in America, when most of our taboos came about.

Needless to say we still carry the burden of the crazed religious zealots and Victorian holdovers. There is nothing wrong with bathing with your kids. Eventually their natural modesty will put an end to it at an appropriate age.

Answer 6

I think it depends on the age of the child, and which parent. I think it's appropriate at a young age and with the same sex parent (babies I would say it really doesn't matter which parent). I wouldn't continue it past preschool age though, depending on where you live that could raise a lot of eyebrows if certain people heard about that. I have a twelve year old and twin eight year olds, and they have seen me getting out of the shower or getting dressed plenty of times....I don't think that's an issue, I don't think I would want to hop in the shower with my twelve year old though. Or even the eight year olds. I still help out my twins in the bathroom, but I wouldn't really want to get in with them.

Answer 7

My opinion is that when a child is old enough to start asking about body parts is when I think they are too old to shower with their parents. Every parent is different though. There is a difference in culture, it really depends on what they were raised with.

Answer 8

my son takes showers with his dad & he is 7 But i would feel uncomfortable if my 11yr old girl did,shes never asked to shower with dad & im not sure what id say ,but i proberbly say girls to the age of 5 or 6 ,any older & they start to get a bit of a sticky beak,my girls are anyhow,very inquisitive & more so as they get older.Im not saying they shouldnt see the naked male /female,they should & need to learn all about it.But there is a time & place for everything.

Answer 9

Sometimes bathing with young children is the only way to make them feel safe in the tub. Also you are seeing them naked either way and I think most young kids see their parents naked from time to time (like following mommy into the bathroom).

It isn't a big deal and parents should do whatever works for them and their kids. There is no set age when it should stop.

BTW I'm Canadian

Answer 10

Try having four kids and doing anything in private. If you forget to lock the door, they are in there with you while you are showering. It doesn't make you a "Dirty B***H" for bathing with your kids. However, there comes a time that you must draw the line.