I have been trying hard for the past year and a half to get my 5 year old to take a shower by herself. She is always leaving shampoo or conditioner in her hair when she gets out....thats the main problem, she will spend forever in the shower and does a bad job washing her hair. I am always telling her not to take so long either because she messes around in there. So I am always watching and making sure she does it right. Half the time I have to wash her hair the right way. Because of the problems Im needing to know if I am expecting too much out of my 5 year old or shoud she be able to do this right every time.
2007-09-30 16:27:32 · 10 answers · asked by Fluffanutter 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
5 is probaby about the right age to have kids shower on their own. My son was 5 when we started letting him shower by himself. He didn't have long hair and no need for conditioner but he didn't rinse it very well and is still taking long showers 4 years later. What you can try is having her scrub and wash her hair, then you rinse it for her. That's what I did. That way she'll get used to doing the majority on her own but you stil help at the end. You can also set a timer in the bathroom and when it goes off, that means she'd done. Good luck!
2007-09-30 17:00:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 5 year old can take a shower by her self but shouldn't be expected to wash her own hair. They can't do a good job until there around 6 or 7 years of age.
So yes, you are expecting a little to much of her right now. Sometimes are kids act like there growing up so fast and are able to do so much, but they are just little kids.
You will need to wash her hair for her.
What you can do is set a time limit. Let her wash herself and play around, and then when you go in there to wash her hair, that is when it is time to finish up and get out. Wash her hair and then turn off the water.
2007-09-30 16:38:05 · answer #2 · answered by Tired-Mom 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
First of all I urge you to consider if any of us do anything "right every time". My daughter will be eight in November and there are times when I notice that her hair has either been poorly rinsed or washed. I simply do it for her to give her a brush up and remind her how important the rinsing is.
On the note of whether you are expecting to much, yeah. It is fine for her to take a shower, just help her with her hair at this point. As far as the time issue goes, I tell my daughter that showers are to be quick so as not to waste water. If she wants a bit more time for play she knows that she will need to take a bath.
I understand your frustration as life is so busy and at five they appear so capable but they really are just beginning. Enjoy all of the things that you still get to do. Of all the things I miss it is doing my daughters hair every day. Now I only have that honor on special occasions or Sunday mornings.
2007-09-30 16:56:42 · answer #3 · answered by viento 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're expecting too much. Far too much. She can probably cope with washing her body by herself by now, but is going to need help washing her hair for at least another couple of years, I'd suspect. I still have to help my 8 year old, and his is so short it doesn't even involve conditioner! Let her shower by herself for what you think is an appropriate length of time, then go in and help her wash her hair as the last thing she does.
2007-09-30 21:21:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
washing her own hair at 5 is expecting too much. Having a shower without you there also too young. She may turn the taps on or off wrong and burn herself. My daughter is 8 and i still wash her hair, she does most but I make sure the shampoo is out and then with the conditioner in I comb all the knots out. They do however shower themselves now everynight and have for the last 6 months. But they know which way to turn taps and due to severe water restrictions know they have about 2 minutes to wash and get out. I wash the hair on Thursdays, though as my son has only slighty long hair he is capable of doing it himself
2007-09-30 20:24:03 · answer #5 · answered by Rachel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Shes still young and wants to play with the water, and she should not be left alone very long at all. You probably shouild still help her wash her body and hair as well as giving her a little independence with it. Wait off on the showers a few more years.
2007-09-30 17:48:30 · answer #6 · answered by scandalousxsgv 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are expecting too much out of her. She's still five and her attention span probably focuses on playing around in the water instead of washing her hair.
2007-09-30 16:52:03 · answer #7 · answered by Zyggy 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You are expecting to much. A five year old should not be left unattended while bathing, In fact the experts say a child under the age of 7 should not be left unattended while bathing. Some mother daughter time is good for both of you use the time to talk about the day don't rush things I really miss those time with my daughter.
2007-09-30 16:37:30 · answer #8 · answered by Pamela B 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
my 11 yr old daughter still has days where she does not rinse properly! and gets sent back to do it again
give her a break shes a baby still!!
you let her shower alone then before she gets out just have a quick check to make sure shes all done
2007-10-01 02:00:42 · answer #9 · answered by mum_2_many 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she can't do it by herself then she needs to still take baths. Every child is different so don't push.
2007-09-30 16:38:00 · answer #10 · answered by h&t_oct282007 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋