What age to let bathe alone?

L D

DS is 6 and although he wont shampoo his hair he will wash himself and likes to play in the tub.  I cant get all 3 in the tub anymore plus I think its time they dont bathe together anyways.  

Would you leave a 6yr old in the tub if he were only sitting and splashing?  He knows not to stand and understands why.  I would be in the girls room or downstairs but would check on him several times.   

joy143dh

Since he was 3 yr old, I let him play in the tub or shower for 5 minutes (after I help him wash) while I fold laundry in the next room.

Jessys_Girl

I think it's okay as long as you are nearby and could hear him yell for help if he needed.  And if you're checking on him every few minutes or so I don't think there's a problem with it.

GinandTonic

Mine both do. Six in a few days and 3 1/2.  I'm not in the room with them, but right there and I can hear them.  He won't bathe with his sister anymore either, by the way.  I'm not even sure he wants me in there very long.  He's also starting to shower by himself - except for the hair.

r9stedt

joy143dh:

Since he was 3 yr old, I let him play in the tub or shower for 5 minutes (after I help him wash) while I fold laundry in the next room.

This.   Maybe even late 2s.  Shhh. Don't tell the nesties!   I know if it gets quiet there is a problem. 

jlw2505

My girls are 3 and 5 and there are times that I run down the hall fast or into the other bathroom to get something.  I would not leave my 3 year old alone yet but I would with my 5 year old.  They are both learning to wash their own hair and bodies at this point but still need some help, especially with rinsing.  We run the bath and let them play for a bit and then turn on the shower to wash unless in a real rush when we only shower.  I use a handheld shower so they can play with it and control it more.

penguingrrl

Our apartment is tiny so there's nowhere I can't hear them playing in the tub. I will walk out of the bathroom and fold laundry or grab a towel or whatever while they're in there since it's never out of earshot. Definitely fine at 6!

Temp970088312507122

We've let DD1 play alone in the tub since about 3. We always check on her and are right down the hall. She takes showers now and likes the curtain closed, though DH still stays in the bathroom and pokes in to help her.

MotherBucker

Tucker is 4 and only recently have I let him play in the tub alone for a few minutes while I get Cooper dressed. But I'm in the bedroom and can see him the entire time.
He knows not to stand up.

This is one thing I am paranoid about. I'm sure he would do just fine, but I wouldn't leave the room while he's in the tub. But that's me.

L D

Great!  L begged me to play in the tub "for all day until lunch" 2 days ago so I let him play for about 25mins while the girls and I cleaned up their room down the hall.  I checked on him regularly but every time I went in he would say "Im fine mom (when did I become mom) what do you need?"  lol   He was getting tired of me checking in.  :P

Now there is no way I could leave the girls in the tub alone.  They get too riled up together and would end up falling or something. 

lollitots

My 6 yo washes gives herself her bath. I just come in to check that the hair gets rinsed more than just the back. She turns the shower on and off and can plug the tub if she wants a bath. I still wash the 3 and 5 yo, but I don't necessarily stay in the bathroom. I only worry if it is quiet. He sounds old and mature enough to be fine by himself.

katie277s

L does everything by himself.  He bathes with M, but once M is out he stays in and plays until he's ready to wash himself and get out.  At this age, I wouldn't think twice about it.  The bathroom door is always open though.  

shouldbworkin

DS just started taking showers all alone w/o needing any help.  I'd say it's taken us a year to get there.  DD showers alone, but needs lots of help.  The bath is trickier IMO b/c of the having to rinse your hair out thing.  But, I would have no qualms about leaving my 4 or almost 6 y/o alone in the tub now.  I'm not leaving the house or getting involved in something on the 1st floor, but I go fold laundry in my room or put clothes away while they're in there.

shopgirl78

DD, almost 6, takes showers on her own and has for almost a year.   We let DS1 play shower alone with her or play in the bathe.  He is checked on more frequently.  

ghm

Ethan prefers showers to baths, and has showered alone for at least a year, I think. He's 5.5. He washes his hair and everything, and really tends to do a good job getting clean. On the occasion that he wants to take a bath, I give him his privacy. The only stipulation is that he answer me when I call and check on him, or I will come in to check on him. 

I still don't trust Bella alone, but really, she never bathes alone...she bathes with Maile and I certainly don't trust her to be alone.