Hi Ladies -

At what age did you let your child become responsible for bathing themselves? A friend of mine has a child in 1st grade 7.5yo - and they still bathe that child. I guess I thought that was a little old. I feel guilty that I haven't taught my toddler more about washing himself yet (I would think I'd have to be next to the tub until 4 or 5.. right?)

Just curious.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 08:18 am:

My son started taking baths and showers alone at about 7. He has short hair and has no problem taking care of it himself. DD (Gr. 2, almost 8), however, still needs help to wash, rinse and comb out her hair properly. I let her bathe/shower alone every other bath/shower because I want her to learn how to do it, but she's still not able to do a good job on her own.

By Vicki on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 08:24 am:

I agree, if it wasn't for the hair, dd could have done it much younger than she did. I used to go in and wash her hair and then let her take her own bath and then go back in and help her get her hair combed out. I agree with Trina that about age 7, boys could go it alone. But if it is a girl, espically with longer hair, I would say easy 8 maybe even 9 until they get the hair down right. Dd is 11 and I blow dry her hair for her in the mornings after her shower and some days, she STILL doesn't rinse it all the way!! But just washing, much younger for girls!

By Debbie on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 08:35 am:

My boys are 6 and 8 and they both shower by themselves. I do stay in the bathroom with my youngest to make sure he gets all the soap out of his hair, but other then that, they do it themselves. Also, my oldest has eczema, so as soon as he gets out, I have to help lotion him up. I have tried letting him do it himself, but he still needs my help.

By Colette on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 08:54 am:

My dd is 8 and she just started showering and washing her own hair. I still check it when she shuts the water off to make sure she got all of the shampoo and conditioner out. Her hair is really long though. Before that, I would let her bathe alone and just wash her hair for her or if she wasn't shampooing just be there when she was getting in and out so she didn't slip.

By Tripletmom on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 09:31 am:

My DD is 7 and has been showering for a year by herself She has just started shampooing/conditioning her hair by herself and doing a great job.Sometimes she'll ask for help but most times shes happy to do it herself.

By Eve on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:04 am:

My DD just turned 5 and she likes to wash her hair by herself now. We go in and just make sure she got the soap out all of the way though. Now, with baby #2, I don't sit in there with her. We go in and out and she plays and will sometimes even get out by herself. Normally, we have to go in and get her out though. I'm not sure there is an age limit, I think it's just on an individual basis as to what that child needs. I think it's a nice time to be able to talk to your child.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:04 am:

I don't remember, but it must have been around 7 or 8 as well. For a long time, we had to turn the water on for Emily, but I don't even remember when that stopped.

By Tink on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:08 am:

My ds is 6 (7 in a couple of weeks) and bathes himself, except for rinsing his hair. My dd is 8yo and I only double-check her rinsing job. My 4yo bathes herself but I do all of her hairwashing and probably will for several more years. She has SO much hair. I still go in and out of the bathroom while she's in the tub but I don't worry about the other two being in there by themselves.

By Tayjar on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 10:22 am:

Both of mine started taking showers around age 4 or so. By first grade, both were taking showers on their own without much help. I would check DD hair but that was it.

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 12:49 pm:

My DD was about 8. But I did have to help her rinse her hair. Her hair is very thick.

By Amyk on Wednesday, April 5, 2006 - 01:10 pm:

Thanks for all the feedback - sounds like 7.5yo is still def. in the "normal" range - esp. when it comes to shampooing. I'm glad we like bathtime so much - as it sounds like we have many more years to enjoy it!