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16 - 18 months

How to make bath times fun again

05 March 2020 | By Vicki Sleet

If bath times have turned into something you and your toddler dread, it’s time to change things up! Here’s how to make bath times fun again.

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The old wives adage: “put an unhappy child in water” doesn’t always ring true if yours has started to act up at bathtime. But don’t lose hope, we’ve got some suggestions on how to make bath times fun again for everyone. 

Change things up  

You’ve always run a bath after suppertime and things had been going swimmingly for a while but suddenly your little one has turned into a bit of a bathtime monster? 

Try not to stress about it and rather think about ways to change things up. From swapping around which parent does bathtime, to changing the time (bathing before rather than after supper) and even reading a bathtime book, sometimes a change in routine can shift behavioural patterns too. 

The trick is to make sure you don’t lose the consistent essentials that come after bathtime – getting dressed, story time and ultimately, bedtime. Showing your children that a shift in approach (with the same outcome) can be beneficial is a lifelong skill. 

Reward good (bathtime) behaviour

By the time they’re two or three years old, most children will grasp the concept of a rewards chart. Incentivise an uncooperative toddler by giving them a sticker for each successful drama-free bathtime experience. 

Get in the bath 

Your child may have realised that bathtime signifies the end of the day – and an impending separation from you at bedtime. This separation anxiety can have a negative effect on their compliance levels. 

Climbing into the bath with your kids once or twice a week reinforces parent-child bonds and may help alleviate any anxiety about separating at bedtime. Throw Epsom Salts into the bath, which is a proven relaxant!

Less is more 

Many parents assume that more toys and more entertainment can help with easing bathtime woes but sometimes more toys mean more stimulation and ultimately – chaos! 

“Household objects are the simplest toys. They are objects that you find around the house like a box, pots and pans or a watering can,” says acclaimed author, child development specialist and occupational therapist Meg Faure. 

“Invite your toddler to choose some containers and jugs and fun, interactive items like funnels and colanders and watch how simple toys can make bathtime terrific!”  

IMAGE CREDIT:  shutterstock.com

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