Bath tub troubles with a 2 1/2 year old

Question

i was giving my 2 year old daughter a bath today and she would not sit down she would sit down for like 2 mints then stand back up and splash every were. and now she has found out that she can make a slide out of the bath tub. at the other end not were the spout is but other end and just let her feet go so she slides down. but today she decided not to hold on and just let her self go and she hit her head twice (did not even bother her she though it was really funny) then tried again. so at that time i let the water out and she kept on doing she only did this 3 times then i took her out and told her that if she did it again she will get a time out.. cause she is not being safe in the tub. and she stands up right by the spout and i keep think she is going to one day hit her head on it and its ganna hurt i know next time i go to the store i am going to by one of the covers for it. but how can i get her to under stand that she has to sit and not stand up and be safe? i have had about a enoght of it i just want her to be safe. i hate yelling at her to keep sitting.

Answer 1

My daughter went through a phase like this too.  She really enjoys bathtime so our rule was that she had to come out of the tub period if she was doing something she wasn't supposed to.  Stick to your guns, your daughter will figure out pretty quickly that you are serious.  Also, even though she is just 2 still make sure you explain to her why she shouldn't be sliding, not just that it isn't safe (if you aren't already doing that)  You may have a few very short bathtimes but in the end it should work out, Good luck!

Answer 2

Just keep taking her out of the tub when she does that and she will eventually get it that it is not allowed. My son did the same thing but it was standing up and I was afraid he would fall eventually he got the idea and he does not do it anymore. You are doing a good job just be consistent and it will work itself out.

Answer 3

My son is also 2 1/2 and went through something very close! And I did just what you are doing and when he started his splashing and sliding I would drain the bath tub and make him get out and then he would get washed off with a wash cloth on the outside of the bathtub (hes a little boy, we had to get clean!). He loves bath time and so he quickly stopped. At this age they learn to test your rules, so pick a place on the fence and DONT move! it doesn't matter where you stand on an issue as long as you stand firm to your decision!!

Answer 4

Hey! Know the feeling i have a 2 1/2 year old to. They are at the stage where they understand but dont understand. When she stands up just tell her to sit down or you will take her out of the bathtub. Keep to the promise if she cries put her back in the tub and tell her again. If she does it for the second time take her out for good. Another thing you could try is getting a new bath toy like bath crayons or something you can use to keep her seated. Good luck!

Answer 5

Every time she slides, take her out of the tub.  Thats it, bath time is over.  No need to put her back in.  Clean her in the first few minutes she's in the tub, and then she can play with her toys or whatever, but the first time she slides, she's done.  

And I agree that the non sliding flower things would be a good idea..

Good luck!

Answer 6

Ah 2 year olds! I love that age! They think everything is an adventure and if it's not adventurous enough they will make it that way. Best idea I can come up with is tub toys! Take her to the store with you an let her pick out some squirt toys and some other kind of bath time toys. Use them to distract her for a while and once she gets bored with them (which in a 2 year old can happen very quickly) and she tries the makeshift waterslide again explain to her that she could fall down and hurt herself really bad if she continues. If that still doesn't work I suggest getting some of those nonslip stickers that you stick to the bottm of the tub so you don't fal in the shower and stick them to the back of the tub where she likes to slide. She will soon discover that she can't slide down so easily anymore and if she does it doesn't feel very good to have her bottom all scratched up. I hope this helps. Good luck.

P.S. The bath crayons are a good idea too but only if you explain to her that these crayons are only for the walls around the bath tub. She can't write on the walls with other crayons like she can with those because they won't wash off like the bath crayons will.

Answer 7

You have to be firm and consistent, just as in all discipline.  If she's not going to obey the rules, then she shouldn't get to play in the bath at all -- a quick wash and then she's out.  Reward her with something outside of the bath tub if she behaves herself.  But I would really limit her bath time until she starts following the rules you're setting.

Answer 8

My mom and I were talking about this earlier today!  She said that I was the same way.  She got me a chair with suction cups on the bottom, and buckled me in.  The only problem is, sometimes those can tip over, which isn't good.  Maybe try getting a bath mat (they have some that are almost like a thick fabric, so she DEFINITELY would not be able to slide on that.  Also, you should get a cover for the faucet (my nephew has one shaped like a duck).  If she still won't sit down though, even with those precautions, it still isn't safe.  Maybe you should try bribing her, by telling her, if you're good in the tub, you get a cookie (doesn't have to be a cookie, just something she likes).  Be sure to STICK TO IT, and if she stands up, immediately say, uh oh, don't you want your cookie?  More than likely she will sit down.  If she doesn't just say, ok, I'll eat your cookie.  No cookie for you!  She'll probably get upset, but just tell her, ok, if you sit down you get it.  Also, if she sees that you get really upset when she stands up, don't show her that.  Don't show any emotion, and just say sit down!  If she still won't sit down, say ok, you're not a big girl anymore, guess you'll have to be a baby and take a baby bath since you can't be a big girl!  Hope some of this helps :)

Answer 9

This one's pretty easy from a outsider's perspective...Well, you let her do it, and continue to do it after yelling at her and there were no consequences. Understandable. :)  I'm not trying to be harsh because I do the same types of things. Argh.

Here's what I would try if you want her to remain seated:  Take her to Wal-Mart of wherever and let her pick out a special bath toy. Tell her that the toy is to use while *sitting* in the tub. Don't allow her to play with it any other time--only for baths. Next bath, give her the new, special toy and remind her that she needs to stay seated to have the toy. The first time she stands up, remove the toy even if she's not playing with it. Say, "Uh oh, looks like I need to take the super-duper-blooper-fantastic boat (or whatever it is) out." She'll probably sit down immediately and ask for the toy back. Tell her that the toy will be waiting for her next time she takes a bath. Don't give in and give it to her. At this point, finish the bath and get her out. Repeat the next day.

In my opinion, don't go the safety route. Kids just don't understand danger. You can tell them something's dangerous until you're blue in the face and they won't get it until they do hurt themselves. They do understand rewards and consequences. Be consistent.

edit--Just read your additions. Have you actually tried removing the toys when she stands up? Even if she's not playing with them, it's okay. It's still an attention grabber and a consequence. Tell her as you're taking the toys away why you're doing it. But to say, "You can have these toys while you're sitting" and then when she stands, not take them away...I'm not sure if that's what you meant.

Personally, I let my son stand up in the tub. He hasn't had too much trouble with slipping at all. But it sounds like he doesn't get as rambunctious as your daughter. Could you get some of those stick-on anti-slip thingys to make it safer? Maybe get some water shoes for her to wear in the tub and just take them off quick to wash her feet? A helmet? (I'm kidding about the helmet.)

I sounds like it's become a total power struggle. You don't want her to do it. She knows it. She's testing you to see what the consequences will be if she does. She's trying to see if you'll follow through with your threats. Once something becomes a power struggle...oh, it's so hard to break!

I'll tell you, I grabbed my son naked and cold out of the tub and sat him in the corner once for spitting water out onto the floor. I did give him a warning. And, of course, he did it again. So, I had to follow through. I took him out, put him in the corner. He was mad. He was cold. He was wet. It was an awful sight. But, he never, ever attempted that again.

In my opinion, you'll either have to find a way to make it safe for her and let her do her thing, or lay down the law--state the consequences and follow through every time she does it. Don't forget to praise her up and down when she does stay seated for even the briefest time. Good luck!

Answer 10

Give her a shower. If you are comfortable with it, take a shower with her. Instead of yelling at her, take her out of the tub, dry her off and put her in time-out or to bed. Don't give her any type of reaction to the negative behavior.