Seeking Advice: Bathing Children Together

I have one girl and she is now 11 and her older brother is now 13. (I also have two younger boys--but NEVER bathed them w/sister)

I would say that I stopped the whole "bathing together" fairly early...when my son looked between his legs and hers and back to his and back to hers and said, "What did you do MOM?--Break hers off?"........that is when it stopped...I do not think they were 3 and 1.....and that is why.....

But I would suggest that you immediately stop bathing them together...they are too old for that...and it seems odd, and will to them as well. They each need privacy!

C.,
I have boy/girl twins that are 10 and I just followed their lead. When they told me they didn't want to anymore, then I stopped. Honestly, I don't remember what age it was. The funny thing is, that even now, I will sometimes find that they have still hopped in the shower together although this seems to be more infrequent as they get older. I kind of find it funny though because if we go on vacation, they refuse to sleep in the same bed in a hotel. My daughter tends to fight it more.
Often, kids tend to become more private about changing in front of others, etc. around the age of 8- give or take a couple years. If there is no resistance on their part, then let them continue, but as soon as there is, let them have their own individual bath time.
I actually followed this with their birthday parties and separate rooms. I never asked if they wanted separate parties (frankly, it was easier and more cost effective to do them together), but at age 9 when they wanted separate ones, I let them have them. I did the same with separate bedrooms. My daughter was the first to want her own room around age 6-7. My son had a harder time with it, but he quickly adjusted. They will sometimes want to sleep in the same room.
Hope all this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.
Take care,
R.

I'd start separating them now even if it's just the fact that they are getting big and in a normal sized tub 2 6 yr olds can be uncomfortable. I stopped bathing my 7 and 4 yr old last year , they were getting too big to play comfortably.

Oh my God, literally! I cant believe at age 6 they are still bathing together. This is so not good and to read one of the responses that Robyn wrote saying that sometimes now her 10 year old twins get in the shower together; Robyn sweetheart you should look a little closer. This is not right! Don't be neive. It doesn't matter that they are sisters and brothers it just isn't right. This is totally written out of love and concern, take my advice and stop it immediately! It's not normal.

I separated my two boys that are 1 year apart at ages 5 and 6. I feel they were much too old to go beyond that. They need their own privacy as well as they needed to be taught how to bathe themselves well without my help. Soon after that, the baths stopped and they began showers.

I am 69 years old. I would have stopped at age. Since it is a boy and a girlthey tend to be inquisitive and the female/male problem crops up. Also, keep an eye on them - playing doctor, etc. Nowdays, there is too much television that inspires children.

Hi! I have two sets of twins, and the oldest set is 2 1/2 boy/girl. They are still bathing together as well. From everything I've read, most people say you should stop by 5 yrs...that goes for separate rooms, too. That will be hard for us with a small house, but we'll figure something out! Hope this helps! Take care! :-)

I think they should be bathed separately. Six is too old to be bathed together.

Six years old is about the time children begin to see the differences. So now is the time to begin bathing them apart. They will be so happy to have the tub and your time all to themselves. While one is in the tub, there should be something for the other to be involved with so they will be focused on that activity and not what they are missing in the bathroom. Remember to rotate bath time. Have fun grandmother.

I had twins boy/girl that are now 27 years old, I bathed mine together probably until they were around 6-7 years old. My younger two children also, but not as long their age difference was 25 months. It was just the different routine, and the help I had with the youngers ones at the time, vs the older two it was just me and them for 3 years.
I would think it could be different for different children, if you noticed that they were comparing bodies, or that they were uncomfortable, then I would start allowing them seperate baths. If they don't mind, I would think it would be fine until around 7 years old, I don't see that it would be a problem. But, you might want to consider that if they are in school, and their friends find out they may get some ribbing. You know your grandchildren better than others. Keep you ears and eyes open - you will see and hear signs that it is that time.

M. B.