Successfully creating a tear free bathtime!

A lot of children dislike bath time and will do anything to try and avoid having to be washed. If this is your child then I have a few tips which could help you. I was really lucky with Amelia, she has loved bath time since she was born. We went through a stage where she hated having her hair washed, but we stuck to it and now she has no problems and she even asks to put the shampoo on by herself. Having a bath is one of Amelia's favorite things, and as we have to use our shower head to run her bath, she has constant running water so she can get her hair wet by herself.

• If you child is worried about water all together, then try and make it really fun. Let them play with water outside of the bath, including in the garden. Put some water on your hands and flick it at them/yourself and laugh about it to show them that it's fun and that it's not going to hurt them. Most kids are worried about it going on their head or face, if this is the case for you then try letting them 'wash' a dollies hair. This is what Amelia did, she would take her baby in the bath with her and we would put shampoo on baby and then wash it off. Make sure you get the dolly to put her head back, to teach your child that by putting their head back the bubbles and water won't go on their face/eyes.
  
• Bath toys are a great distraction for kids that are cautious about water. We use Munchkins Farmyard Friends as well as a Peppa Pig bath puzzle which is amazing as it sticks to the side of the bath. Try and use bright colours toys to encourage children to want to play with their toys and if they have any normal toys which can get wet, then let them use them in the bath too.
  
• Let them wash them self. Amelia likes to feel in control when she's in the bath, she wants to be the one who squirts her body wash onto her wash cloth and then rub it on herself and use the shower head to rinse it all off. This may use a little more body wash then is needed and I sometimes needs to re-wash her once she's done, but it makes bath time that little more fun and makes her feel like she is achieving something by herself.
  
• Find what works best for you - some children are woken up by having a bath, while others feel more sleepy afterwards. There's no point bathing your child before bed if it gives them more energy.
  
• Use natural bath products to prevent the bubbles stinging their eyes. This is why most children get scared when it comes to hair wash time. If they have previously got bubbles in their eyes which have stung, they will remember it. If you use products that are natural/organic then it's less likely to sting if it does run into their eyes.

What does your child love the most about bath time?