So how do you punish a 8 yr old who refuses to take a bath and wash her hair.?

Question

So, my sassy 8yr old. Where do I begin. I have heard the word no more times in the last couple months!!

My daughter had a friend sleep over Saturday night. Like any girls they were restless. Finally after the last scold at 1:30 am, they finally zonked out. On Sunday she was fine all day. She was watching tv in our bedroom and fell asleep at 6:00pm. I let her sleep. Instead of bathtime tonight, she can get up in the morning and take a bath before school.

I woke her up this morning. She refused to get in the bath tub. Finally after 10 min she got into the bath tub and refused to wash her hair. I told her that her bedtime would be cut back to 7:30 tonight if she doesn't get it done in the next 10 min. She has already been in the tub 20 min. I went back in. Still not done. I told her bedtime is at 7:30 and she will not get out of the tub until her hair is washed. 1 1/2 hours later, she finally did it. It made her late for school. Was that the wrong way to go about it??

Answer 1

I used to not wash my hair.

My mom would say 'come here! did you wash your hair' after i took a shower.

If i didn't she would wash it in the sink herself, and it didn't anger me... but it annoyed me that I had to waste time.

So maybe...uhh...next time. Take her out of the shower and pull up your sleeves and wash it yourself.

It worked for me...LOL, you might have to do it a couple of times.

Don't be rough with her, but don't be gentle, let her know that if she doesn't do it herself it may hurt a little.

Answer 2

It sounds like she was cranky from the weekend!! All kids go through this stage I have a 7 year old tomboy now who is. You have to tell them either you do it or I'll do it for you and your not going to like it if I have to. My child also plays tricks like wet her hair just to make you think she washed it etc... GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 3

Tell her that if she dont wash her hair or take a shower she will start to become very ugly

and all the kids at her school will

make fun of her because her hair looks greasy

and smells bad

Answer 4

You should have taken her out of the tub and made her go to school looking like a mess. tell her if she doesnt take a bath or shower that you will have to go in the bathroom with her to make sure she does. or give a reward for taking a bath. Ex: if you go take a bath early tonight then i will extend your bedtime and let you have more TV time or something along those lines. tell her she looks ugly without washing up. "your hair will look greasy and people will make fun of you." but dont make her late for school. a kid loves the idea of getting out of school work. dont do that next time, step up and be the parent!~

Answer 5

I think I would try the exact opposite approach.  Go with her to wal mart and pick out shampoo and conditioner etc.. and make her bathtime fun... I actually put my 7 year old in the tub, pull the shower curtian so she has privacy and then I will clean the toilet, sink, mirror etc and we TALK actually TALK about anything.  Somethimes it's silly, sometimes it is serious. You will be suprised what they will tell you.  

talk to her about how in 7 or so years she will have to shave her legs etc.. Change the mood, and it will change hers.  

If something happens and she has to take a bath in the am, and mind you she gets the bus at 7:00 am, I make sure it is either running or already full with water and everything she needs.  So I tell her just a quick trip thru the tub.  I tell her its gotta be like the cheap car wash in and out.    Sometimes in the winter, I will throw her towel in the dryer so it is warm when she gets out.  If doing these few little thing make it less of a combative issue, for me it is worth it.  I will save my fight for when she is  a teenager and I know I will really need it.  Hopefully these little things among others will set the tone for those future years.  Putting her in bed at 7:30 probaly did nothing at all.

Answer 6

8 yr old is she in charge?  pick her up and pop her in the shower, clothes on or not turn the shower on and wet her don't ask her but tell her to put the shampoo in her hair and rub it in if she doesn't then tell her that the water will be cold if she doesn't hurry up.

the next day say that if she isn't in the bath and her hair cleaned then you will come in and repeat the same thing.

never threaten a child, it must be something you will do.

did that to my boys, only did it twice now they don't even need to be told to have a bath.

Answer 7

yeah, she missed part of school,you should have woken her up the night before, spanked her after the first half hour

Answer 8

Tell her that if she does not bathe thoroughly and wash her hair, she will be required to take a shower or Mom can bathe her. Just the threat alone should make her do it, but if she still refuses, follow through.

Answer 9

My 8 y/o son fakes washing his hair. Now my husband has to sit in the bathroom and make sure he does it. Same goes for brushing his teeth.

I think you did the right thing. I would explain why it is important for her to wash her hair. With her being a girl it might help if you tell her that her hair will smell pretty if it is clean. Since punishment hasn't worked try giving incentives for when she does good.

Answer 10

you dont if she wants to be dirty and not wash her hair just let her then let her come home from school saying mommy i want to take a bath.