Bath Time!

I'm a mom with 4 sons and I really took my cue from them. My youngest is now 9 and he has been bathing on his own since he was about 6 - he has showers which I find my easier. I have one rule and that is that the bathroom door must stay unlocked while in the bath or shower. I frequently talk to him at the door too, so I know that he is ok.

Also you my have to do an inspection of cleanliness, as boys often forget to use soap and shampoo or to clean whole legs. I have been known to send him back. lol

Hope this helps.

I still bath my 4 yr old son. But i put him in charge of cleaning his own private parts. My oldest started bathing on his own when he was 5 or 6.

Maybe it's because I have stepchildren that I have a different view, but I quit helping our 5 year old before he was 4. We started working on bathing himself with cues from us before he was 2 and by the time he was 3 he only needed us to help with the hair and back. We do leave the door open to make sure he's safe and check in frequently. Now that he's 5, sometimes he even gets a shower ALONE. I mean he and his dad will get one together if they're in a hurry..as for the girl, my hubby stopped going in there to check on her when she was 6 and letting her call only if she needed help...creeped us out because she said that sometimes her stepdad would bathe her if she didn't want to. That's when the 2 "original" parents had a meeting...I work in OT, so I believe on making kids independent pretty early.

How fun, I live here too!

I would say if you are uncomfortable then let him wear a swimsuit while you wash the "other" stuff like hair, neck, toe and finger nails, knees, etc...then leave the room and let him wash the private areas. Teaching him how to get those ares clean will help him become more independent too.

Sometimes I let both kids bathe together but then they both wear swimsuits. K is 5 1/2 and J is 2 1/2, I know his hinney is clean because of diaper changing and potty training. So after rinsing him off I get him diapered and ready for bed while she washes the girl stuff. If she has got her hair soapy again then I have to help her rinse off.

My husband or I still bathe my 5-year-old son, but I also get him to wash some, too, to help him learn how to do it. I will probably help him until he is uncomfortable with me being in there, or until I am sure he doesn't need supervision. Right now he couldn't care less if I'm in there with him or not!

When your son is old enough to wash his own hair and bathe himself, then he's too old. I assist my four year old son with bathing everyday, and I did the same with my nine year
old until he was self-sufficient in the tub.

I think I would oversee him taking one till you can see he is doing it right just sit by the tub and make sure he washes all over good luck

My son is 5 1/2 and i still bath him. I just wash his body and hair and leave the tooter as we are calling it right now to him after i taught him how to properly was it of course. I then leave him on his own to play and scrub nail and such if needed. Then i help him get out and dried off. Most mothers i know advice me that you have to bathe and or supervise boys for much longer!! Not really a lot of advice for you, but i really just wanted to write you a note to send you god's blessing on your loss.
Have an amazing day and god bless!!

I'd say that at 4 he still needs supervision. He should be to where you could give him a washcloth and let him soap himself up, but he may still need help. I give my 6yo DD some soap on her bath scrubby and let her wash her body, and then help her with her face, and remind her to wash her bottom. I will leave her alone for short periods, but she still needs someone in there at least from time to time. I've come in to find water all over the floor (our bath rule is "keep the water in the tub") or her standing up playing (another rule..."stay seated") so she definitely needs that supervision!

I wouldn't think it would matter for you to give him a bath yourself still for you are his mother and its not like he's too old for you to bathe him and teach him how to so when he's 5 he'll know the basics to do it for himself. But I would get him to clean his private area himself. I would still probably have some supervision anyway. I had a shower curtain for my son so that I could be in the room while he was taking his bath so he would have his privacy but I'm right there for him just in case he needed me.

I don't have son's I have 3 daughters. But I would think you should stop when he acts uncomfortable. I would guess that will happen between the ages of 6 and 7. AT 4 he shouldn't care.

I am sure you are going to get all different responses. I am no expert but I am mom of a boy. I strongly believe in modesty, in my son and myself. He is 5 about to be 6 and I just now let him shower himself. I am in the same boat my husband isn't home to take care of that. We started by him washing himself with me there so I knew he was washing. Then I let him do it by himself. letting him know the side effects of not washing something, and that I was trusting him to be honest. He loved it we have a closet beside the bathroom and he decided that will be his dressing room. He goes in there takes his close off wraps in a towel, and i never see him unaddressed any more.

Hi C.
I think it really depends on when he is able to clean himself properly. I think I still gave my son a bath at 5. I let him do it himself after that but would come in and inspect the ears and armpits and face before I let him get out. If he is able to clean himself fine, but I doubt he can wash his own hair. Just do it untill you feel he is able. My son is now 24 and I am not sure he is getting it right yet, hehe. Lucky for him he is away at school so no inspections. (just kidding)