The everyday madness of showering, bathing, and washing hair
Many parents know this: little water lovers suddenly turn into water-shy kids who absolutely refuse to bathe or shower. “I don’t want to wash my hair!” is their mantra. To prevent bath time from becoming a torture for both children and parents every time, a few tricks and a lot of patience are needed.
Children under 11 only need to bathe or shower once or twice a week. In summer, after swimming, or after extensive mud play, more often. The frequency can be adjusted depending on the situation. Otherwise, a washcloth is perfectly sufficient for daily hygiene.
I don’t want to get in the tub
Some children love bathing, and some are like cats. The latter scream at the mere mention of washing hair. Going to the shower or tub turns into a power struggle every time, where the little darlings turn into terror toddlers, making you think you need an exorcist. If no trick works, maybe agree on a quick wash. Often, other caregivers have more luck; maybe the child prefers bathing at grandma and grandpa’s. Children and parents simply have very different ideas about cleanliness. And if the child doesn’t bathe once in a while, the world won’t end.
Find more information about body care and hygiene for children at: https://www.elternimnetz.de/kinder/erziehungsfragen/gesund/koerperpflege.php
After bathing comes before bathing
Make bathing a pleasant ritual. We used to bathe every Saturday. Afterwards, we would relax on the couch in our bathrobes and watch Herzblatt. Today, my daughter’s pink bathrobe is a must-have too. Preparation is key: clear away all hazards, lay out towels. Is the bathroom nice and warm? Are shower gel, washcloth, and sponge within reach? Most importantly, take your time. To make combing easier afterward, a detangling spray for kids helps with long hair. Detangling brushes are great too. Children don’t necessarily need lotion after bathing. If the child has very dry skin, creams without additives and perfume are suitable. For skin problems, just ask your pediatrician for advice.
Find more on hygiene in our blog post: Hygiene tips for children
Washing hair made easy
Many children are afraid of the shower head. For rinsing out shampoo, it's better to use a cup and let the child test the temperature with their finger. If the child is very scared, you can also carefully rinse or wash the hair with a washcloth. Coarse dirt or sand can be combed out. Out of desperation, I bought my daughter a diving mask, but it didn't help us. There are even special shampoo shields and hair rinse cups. Usually, the usual washcloth is enough to protect the eyes while rinsing. If all else fails, your child might agree to not use shampoo and just wash their hair with pure water. Still better than nothing. Everything is easier with music, including bathing and showering. For example, with this great CD: Don't wash the hair!
Playfully take away fear
Make the topic playful to take away the child's fear of water. For example, with our doll changing table including a bathtub, the child can bathe their own dolls and rinse them off with the extendable shower head. Then they get freshly changed. Here you can calmly explain all the steps to the child, what to pay attention to, and why hygiene is important. The doll can also go into the bathtub along with other toys. The main thing is that the parts are not too small, otherwise the adults have to go diving. The practical thing is that the toys get cleaned at the same time. Children are also happy with just a few cups.
Introducing body care playfully with howa:
Casting bait
Take your child to the drugstore and let them pick something for the next bath day, a bath bomb, or confetti, bathtub colors. Magic towels are also very popular. However, I advise against bath additives that turn the water into jelly and then do not drain through the drain. Every mother's nightmare.
Read books on the topic with your child:
Washing hair, Brushing teeth, Hair washing magic. Washing hair is very easy, Müffelmax
And if the child simply doesn't want to become a water rat, then don't force them into the tub. Wash them for a while with a washcloth. Children have their phases, which disappear just as quickly as they come. A visit to the swimming pool can work wonders and rekindle the love for water and splashing, and I sincerely hope that this will be possible again soon.
