Mamahood.org » When to do the separate bath thing

Alyssa will be five at the end of October, and Ryan just turned three at the end of July. When Alyssa requests a private bath or an extra one, I let her have it, but most of the time we toss the kids in together. It’s what we’ve been doing since Ryan was about ten months old. But now that Alyssa is getting older, I’m thinking it’s time to start doing separate baths. She hasn’t shown any acknowledgment or interest in Ryan’s body parts, and vice versa, but still, I don’t want to weird her out, or create any issues, you know.

For those of you with children of the opposite sex, when did you stop bathing them together?

3 responses to “When to do the separate bath thing” - Jump to comment form

Michelle wrote on September 2, 2009 at 12:48 am #

I only have sisters, so I can’t comment on it (plus there’s an age difference – 6 and 8 years). But I think Alyssa asking for a private bath is a sign that she’s ready to do it solo (or at least without her brother in the tub) and maybe it should be more of a regular thing?
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Hot chocolate & textbooks =-.

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Elle wrote on September 2, 2009 at 5:02 am #

I think it’s a different issue as you’re also in the bathroom monitoring (I assume) and Alyssa is the oldest one. (I’m sure I’m being sexiest there… but I think if Ryan was the nearly five year old my response would be different.)
I don’t think there is anything wrong with 5 & 2 being bathed together. Alyssa asking for a private bath may be her asking for some mummy/daddy time. Or just wanted some space from Ryan, she may not want a private bath EVERYDAY.
.-= Elle´s last blog ..The day Dooce @replied me. =-.

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Shola wrote on September 8, 2009 at 8:57 pm #

I shared with my little brother who is nine years older as art of a bonding thing. I didn’t mind and we did it until he was about two years old. I was about eleven at the time.

When I was younger I did it as well with cousins. (Female)

It helps not to be embarrassed about the body y’know.
If Alyssa wants her own bathtime go for it, but still don’t do it so she’s shying away her body, y’know…
.-= Shola´s last blog ..Sweetdreams of a horrible child’s book =-.

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