Let’s get one thing straight: sharing a bath with your toddler is not weird at all. What’s weird, though? The way some folks choose to oversexualize a perfectly mundane activity. Seriously, how did we get to a point where we’re okay with scantily clad models on billboards but raise eyebrows when a parent enjoys bath time with their little ones? Internet, get it together!
Bathing with tiny humans is simply more practical than bending down repeatedly to scrub them clean. Many parents will tell you it’s a fantastic way to bond, play, and simply have fun. This totally normal routine is right up there with breastfeeding and co-sleeping — all natural acts of love and care aimed at nurturing our kiddos, not anything inappropriate.
What Other Parents Are Saying
But don’t just take my word for it; let’s hear from some fellow parents:
- “My partner and I showered with our son until he was around 4. We want him to feel comfortable in his own skin and understand that bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Plus, it’s a great way to teach him about cleanliness!” — Maria
- “We still shower with our nearly 6-year-old. If we don’t, he just won’t get clean! My almost 9-year-old has been showering solo for a while now; he decided when he was ready.” — Derek
- “My 4-year-old sometimes wants to join me, but she also enjoys her personal space! Now that I have a newborn, the three of us often share the tub, and she loves helping wash her baby sister!” — Lisa
- “I bathe with my 2-year-old all the time. We play and splash around, and she’s even learned to wash her hair, which she prefers over me doing it for her. I guess we’ll keep this going for as long as she wants!” — Tom
- “My younger kids, ages 4 and 2, join me for showers whenever they like. I’ll know it’s time to stop when they start feeling awkward about it!” — Rachel
None of these parents mentioned anything inappropriate or felt embarrassed about bathing with their toddlers. Why? Because it’s just a normal part of parenting!
Sometimes, I think that people who hold the most controversial opinions and can hide behind a screen have made parenting way more complicated than it needs to be. Now, we’re left defending basic parenting choices like circumcision, breastfeeding, bathing with babies, and co-sleeping. Why is any of this anyone else’s business?
Shout out to the parents who don’t care about the naysayers out there pointing fingers and throwing around accusations of bad parenting. These critics probably don’t even have kids or are just know-it-alls with a chip on their shoulder.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, my 3-year-old is throwing a fit because it’s bath time, which means we get to splash around and have some fun — together, of course!
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In summary, bathing with your toddler is a completely normal and beneficial practice. It’s a bonding experience that helps them learn about cleanliness and body positivity. Don’t let the noise from the critics deter you from enjoying these precious moments.