How old is too old for a child to take a bath with their parents?

Question

I read some answers another man, a single dad, had received on here asking about if his 6 yo and 8 yo daughter was too old to take a bath with him and he was bombarded with accusations of being a perverted child molester. People were saying "When the child notices the difference that their bodies are different then you need to stop being nude around them" and that also struck me as strange. Is noticing a difference a bad thing? or just an observation? My son is 6, and yes he showers with his dad MOST of the time, but if we are in a hurry and my husband isn't here, it is no big deal for me to throw him in there with me. We take a shower together...wash, bathe, nothing more. It doesn't feel strange to me and he is in his own little world playing with his action figures so I know he isn't thinking anything about it. So when? When does society seriously think a child is too old to take a bath with their parents?

See, sexypig..."He would never do that", that is the type of comments I don't get. Ok, does a normal man get turned on by taking a bath with his 5 year old daughter?...or does he have to be a sick man to begin with?

Answer 1

That's really a scary subject, isn't it? So many things that we do as parents, out of love, concern or of the discipline of our children can be misconstrued as abuse by society or later, by the child him/herself.

In my own experience, I stopped showering with my daughter when she told me she wanted to take a bath instead of a shower, somewhere around 2, I think. My bathtub was one of those extra-deep garden tubs, so putting her in a tub that deep was more tedious when she needed that extra hand to steady her and keep her from slipping. Showering with her was more convenient and my husband helped out at times, though not frequently because he wasn't around much at bath-time.

I think, if the children have displayed any sign of discomfort or any desire to bathe without mom or dad, that independence should be given, as long as they're old enough that it's safe for them to bathe on their own.

Answer 2

When a man takes a bath/shower with a little girl, or even boy, it 'appears' inappropriate at any age. But when a woman does the same thing it does not. Strange, isnt it?

I think that if you are comfortable and do not feel akward, then by all means save the time and water and get the cleaning done in one wash!

Answer 3

I guess it really depends on the child and their level of curiosity. My son still has a shower with his dad sometimes especially if we are in a rush and he is 4. he has not had a shower with me since he was 3 . This was not because he was uncormfortable with it, or I was uncomfortable with it but because he is so much like his dad he will spend forever in the shower playing with his toys. He could not care less. I thinkg when your child starts to ask about body types and wants their own space, exerting the streak of independence then the situation of co-bathing as it were should change.

Answer 4

I stopped taking a bath/ shower with my 2 1/2 year old son a few months ago when he started getting curious about my body and asking questions. I think that right there should be the cut off. 6 & 8?... WAY too old to be bathing or showering with you. Think about this... when you are in the shower with them, what is at their eye level?? Not cool.

Answer 5

5 years

Answer 6

I would say 2 or 3 yrs of age . My youngest daughter is 5 and there would be no way she have a bath with her dad , he would never do that anyway .

Answer 7

About 6 years old.

Answer 8

When the child hits 19 yrs old, they should stop bathing w/ the parents.

Answer 9

my little never takes baths with anyone. She is 3 now.

Answer 10

7 maybe but when they ask questions (your children) answer them...this will steer them away from drugs and sex at an early age...you don't think about it, your child doesn't...it's okay...just don't shout it out to the world.