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Bathtime; How old?
Topic Started: Oct 28 2007, 08:01 AM (391 Views)
happyduck1979
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Bala Buste
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At what age can kids start being left alone in the bath. I do not mean for hours at a time while you are napping, I mean, say long enough to go grab the phone, or a forgotten towel or whatnot?

Basically, my daughter is almost 4, and she showers first (we still help, but she prefers it for getting clean to a bath), then she settles down to play in a clean bath for a while because she likes to play in the water. There are times I would love to let her play longer, but need to run to do something quick (use the washroom, answer the door, whatever) so I need to end it.

How old is old enough to be left alone (with the door open and not more than 100 feet away) for 2-3 minutes at a time?
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Mindy
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I'm ashamed to say that I've been leaving my 2 yo in the bath alone for about six months. I sit right outside near the bathroom, the door is wide open, with my ears perkedup for unusual splashing or silence lasting longer than several seconds, but he's in there by himself. I know it's wrong, but I let him take 20 minute-long baths sometimes because he loves playing in the bath and it gives me a good break to unwind - I'M RIGHT OUTSIDE, not even 4 seconds away. (I go in to check on him every few minutes - he's not alone for 20 minutes! but I dont sit in the bathroom, because he likes to splash on me when I'm in there.) There - I confessed.
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npl
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I think a lot depends on your instincts about your own kid.
There are lots of stories about tragic accidents, and of course we want to be as careful as we can. I'm probably over-protective, but that's just the way I am.
I guess my criteria are if the kid understands about being safe in the bath and always behaves safely (stays sitting down, doesn't try to climb out by herself, etc).
I finally let dd bathe herself (totally) at around age 6 - after I saw consistently that she was being safe (started by watching her get in and out, until I was convinced she could do it safely). I let ds stay in the bath by himself a little earlier, but he mostly bathes with his little brother, so I am there for most of it, and if he wasn't being sensible (like he was in a wild mood) then I wouldn't leave him. ds2 is nearly 3, but doesn't stay sitting down. I feel like I can't be more than an arm's length away from him safely, because he doesn't have the awareness yet not to do something dangerous, or to try to climb out by himself (he's not tall enough to reach).
Once he can demonstrate that he can be safe, then I can leave him for a few minutes to get pjs, etc. Until then, I'm in the bathroom.
Not sure if my rambling has helped?
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chavamom
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I would not have a problem leaving a 4 y.o. for a few minutes (grab the portable phone or such) .
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hallie_ari_mom
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I leave my 4 year old alone in the tub. (she's almost 5). Not to cook dinner or any long project but I usually get her clean and then put Ari to bed while she plays. I"m across the hall and I talk to her periodically to make sure she's ok. I"ve checked my e-mail too while she's in there, but the door is open and we communicate.

It does depend on your child. You can't let a child you know will jump, hop and slip alone. She just sits there and puts water and bubbles in a cup. Not the jumpy type.

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Jo :-)
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I have left DS alone in the bath over the past few months. He is nearly 4 and I am across the hallway if I am not in the bathroom. He is pretty safe so I am happy to leave him alone for a short while every so often.
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U Tarzan Me Jane
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I don't trust my six or five year old yet. They scare me when I am right next to them.
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hallie_ari_mom
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I don't think I"ll ever let Ari bathe alone. He's that type of kid.
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ebpeuka
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Pinny slid under the water about a year ago and that scared the daylights out of me. I can still see his terrified face looking up at me through the water. I can't envision leaving him alone for more than 5 seconds for the foreseeable future, especially since his newest trick is swinging through the water on his back or stomach.
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Estie
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Mindy you can unwind in the bathroom next to him. He is too young to leave alone. Yes 99,9% of the time nothing will happen, but you need to be sure.
At 4 I would run to get the phone,etc. At about 6 I think you can leave them alone more or less.
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Deena
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My kids love water, and are way to wild in the tub, so I would not be able to leave them alone, but from when they start walking we give them showers. And I have left the 6 & 4 yr olds alone in the shower to grab the phone, The 6 yr old stands and sings and the 4 yr old brings in a bunch of toys and plays. As for the 22 month old, I don't walk away for a sec.

I will never forget when I was in 10th grade, one of the 9th graders had slipped in the shower and passed away instantly (if I recall correctly) So please just becareful and tell your kids to be careful.
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rikal
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To leave a kid alone they have to basically sit, not try to stand or jump. You also have to be sure they are very adept at getting in and out safely if it for less than a few seconds. Also where is the faucet. Mine is on the side in the middle - very unkid friendly placement and I would not have done it had I still had my own small children. For small kids who can't sit still you cannot leave them at all. Also, if you put 2 in at once don't leave them, trust me.

My gs at 2 1/2 has to be forced to sit with a threat that he will have to come out if he continues standing up. His sister is not interested in standing in the bath but she has her own dangerous antics.
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happyduck1979
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Ok, so against my better jusdgement last night I stepped out of the room for 2 minutes (I timed it. I was literally just outside the door to see what would happen) while she was in the bath. She was a little annoyed and kept saying "come back here Eema, I am too little to be in the bath by myself" but other than that it seemed to be okay.

Oh, I should add that she knows if she ever stands up in the bath she comes right out. She only stands in the shower, and then it must be on the mat with no horsing around.
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ebpeuka
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happyduck1979
Oct 29 2007, 10:22 AM
She was a little annoyed and kept saying "come back here Eema, I am too little to be in the bath by myself" but other

haha That's pretty funny.
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hallie_ari_mom
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ebpeuka
Oct 29 2007, 01:58 PM
happyduck1979
Oct 29 2007, 10:22 AM
She was a little annoyed and kept saying "come back here Eema, I am too little to be in the bath by myself" but other

haha That's pretty funny.

That's so cute! I love it when they know they are little.
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