My 2 1/2 year old son will not take a bath without throwing a fit. How do I get him use to taking one?

Question

When he was little, he absolutly loved taking one, but now it's a fight just to get him in the tub.

Answer 1

i see you have another question posted about your son throwing fits as well.  i bet it's not just the baths.  2 1/2 yrs is about the time to express major independence (hence terrible 2's).  make sure you are firm with him when needed, but let things go and let him make decisions when its possible.  this should help when you actually need to make a choice.  that way he'll feel like he's able to be in control sometimes.  it sounds like he is trying to control everything right now with his screaming and it is quite possibly (and understandably) working!  stay firm when needed but let him decide when the outcome doesn't matter as much.  keep at it!  this too shall pass. :)

Answer 2

Is he afraid of the water?  Maybe if you get in there with him.  If you are not comfortable put a bathing suit on and let him put his on too if he wants.  Take some shaving cream that you can squirt on the walls together.  They also make bath paints and crayons, but they may stain your grout.  They have toys that stick on the wall.  I am sure you have probably tried all this.  If you have a shower with a hand held shower head, you could let him play with it.  Be sure you have plenty of towels and expect the floor to get wet.  I used to get upset about it, but I figure, faster than I can blink, this time will be over and those laughs will be lost.  Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Answer 3

Yes, I believe its just stages that they grow thru. My 2 yr old used to Hate baths! But now she would love if I left her in there all day, kinda goes from one extreme to the next.

Have you tried getting some cool things to do in the bath, like a cool bubble blower that he can only use in the tub, or some little soap "paints"? Maybe that will help him want to take a bath.

Answer 4

Bathe with him or let him take a toy in the bath so he can wash it's hair etc, there's plenty of fun things on the market for bathtimes such as crayons, plastic shaving sets (my son has a buzz lightyear one) and fishing games, maybe some of this would encourage him.

Answer 5

Forgo the bath and get him in the shower instead. I switched both my boys from bath to shower as soon they could sit up without help. I have a shower hose and it is the best, quickest way to wash the kids. Not to mention that he will be cleaner since he not sitting in dirty water.

Just get him some special "shower only" toy and make it an event. Make sure to have a non-slip mat on the shower floor. Good luck.

Answer 6

my little boy went through this were he threw

fits, it only lasted a few months though. Toys

and those washable crayons are a great idea.

It also helped with him for my husband or  I to

get in with him with bathing suit on. I know

those washable crayons worked wonders.

My son is now 5 and I learned a lot of that

stuff is a short faze. Good Luck :)

Answer 7

Is he scared of the water? Have you tried bubble bath? Or bath toys like the washable crayons?? Mine only like baths if he has toys in there to play with...loves bubbles

Answer 8

i would just get in the tub with them.  that worked great.