Bath time can be a fight for a mom or dad with a stubborn toddler.
However, there are some things you can do to make it fun so that you can both get through it without feeling frustrated by the end.
The very most important thing is to make sure the temperature is correct.
If a toddler has ever been put into a tub that is too hot or too cold, they may resist getting into the tub from there on out.
So, every time, have them check the water with their hand, and you stick your elbow in, before you put them in.
This will help eliminate the fear, and let them get on to the fun.
Bath toys.
Bath toys are a great way to make bath time more exciting.
You can get boats, rubber ducks, basketball hoops that suction to the tub wall, and all kinds of other toys.
Just remember that too many toys can be overwhelming, and kids get bored.
So rotate the bath toys so that they do not have to use the same ones every time they get in the tub.
Bath crayons.
Crayola has created a line of bath crayons, that are washable crayons you can write on the sides of the tub with.
Kids have a lot of fun expressing their creativity with these colorful crayons.
Even a stubborn toddler may let you wash their hair and behind their ears if it means they get to draw on the tub.
Just be sure they know not to do it with real crayons or markers, as they won't wash off as easily.
Fun soap.
These days you can get all kinds of soaps, bubble baths, and lathers for kids to make bath time more fun.
You can get a soap in their favorite character bottle.
You can get soap in different scents, colors, foaming, or not foaming, etc.
Help them have fun washing up with soap that is user friendly.
They may want a presoaped washcloth to scrub their toes clean, and be more willing to get clean if the soap is fun.
Bath songs.
Next, make it interactive.
Toddlers, even stubborn ones, will get into the fun of things if you sing a song about washing them up as you do so.
Either make up a song, or look up "bath time songs" online for a list of ideas to help you progress through the various stages of cleaning your child with tunes.
Most kids do not want to take a bath if it is going to be boring, so make sure that they feel like they are involved, and get to make some of the decisions.
Let them pick their towel before you put them in, and help them look forward to this one on one time together.
However, there are some things you can do to make it fun so that you can both get through it without feeling frustrated by the end.
The very most important thing is to make sure the temperature is correct.
If a toddler has ever been put into a tub that is too hot or too cold, they may resist getting into the tub from there on out.
So, every time, have them check the water with their hand, and you stick your elbow in, before you put them in.
This will help eliminate the fear, and let them get on to the fun.
Bath toys.
Bath toys are a great way to make bath time more exciting.
You can get boats, rubber ducks, basketball hoops that suction to the tub wall, and all kinds of other toys.
Just remember that too many toys can be overwhelming, and kids get bored.
So rotate the bath toys so that they do not have to use the same ones every time they get in the tub.
Bath crayons.
Crayola has created a line of bath crayons, that are washable crayons you can write on the sides of the tub with.
Kids have a lot of fun expressing their creativity with these colorful crayons.
Even a stubborn toddler may let you wash their hair and behind their ears if it means they get to draw on the tub.
Just be sure they know not to do it with real crayons or markers, as they won't wash off as easily.
Fun soap.
These days you can get all kinds of soaps, bubble baths, and lathers for kids to make bath time more fun.
You can get a soap in their favorite character bottle.
You can get soap in different scents, colors, foaming, or not foaming, etc.
Help them have fun washing up with soap that is user friendly.
They may want a presoaped washcloth to scrub their toes clean, and be more willing to get clean if the soap is fun.
Bath songs.
Next, make it interactive.
Toddlers, even stubborn ones, will get into the fun of things if you sing a song about washing them up as you do so.
Either make up a song, or look up "bath time songs" online for a list of ideas to help you progress through the various stages of cleaning your child with tunes.
Most kids do not want to take a bath if it is going to be boring, so make sure that they feel like they are involved, and get to make some of the decisions.
Let them pick their towel before you put them in, and help them look forward to this one on one time together.