Am I the only one that things this way about leaving children unattended in the bath tub?

Question

I saw a question on here from last week and it ask what is the approperate age to leave children unattended in the bath tub, there were so many answers for the age 2 and 3....Does anyone else feel this is way too young to have their children alone in the tub...personally I think these people are totally irresponsible and should pick up a parenting book or something!! These parents need to get a clue and protect them...Accidents happen I wouldn't leave my little child unattended at that age...actually for several years after that, I rather be safe then sorry

Answer 1

My sister is 3 and I would never ever leave her unattended. If I

absolutely have to step away I ask my husband or my 15 year old stepdaughter to sit there. I do not believe it is a waste of my time to sit there and watch her. Most of the times I grab a barbie and play too. Every once in a while I'll put on my bathing suit and sit in the tub with her. She loves it, plus its our bonding time and there's nothing like taking 30 min out of a stressful and busy day to just play like a kid. The laughs are worth it. I have a 6 year old stepdaughter and the door stays open and she isnt allowed to run anymore water than what I put in the tub. I am constintly walking back and forth.

Answer 2

I asked that question a long time ago and alot of people would say that 3 was ok, but I do not agree. Kids mature at different rates and it depends on the kid's maturity. I'd say that a sign that they are more ready to bathe alone is when they stop playing in the tub and start using bath time strictly to get clean. Most of the time, I'd say this would be around age 6 or 7.



But 3 years old is definately too young simply because they cannot get in and out of the tub alone, safely.



J

Answer 3

My oldest is 7 1/2, and she is still not allowed to be in the bathtub alone. She just started wanting to take showers, and I let her do that alone- but I am always within earshot in case she slips or something. My youngest is 2 1/2, and she is not allowed in the bath alone either. I work at a preschool for children with disabilities, and once we had a child who had severe problems with brain damage from a near-drowning in the bath. Her babysitter stepped away from the tub to answer the phone. A young child can drown in as little as 1 inch of water, so I don't think it is being too cautious to watch your little ones in the tub (or around any body of water, for that matter). I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Answer 4

Anyone can fall and get hurt, even drown, in a bathtub. I remember falling asleep in the tub a few years ago and waking up with a start when the water hit my mouth. Most children are not likely to fall asleep in the tub (though it could happen), as they tend to like to play- increasing the risk of serious injuries from falls. I do not even leave my 7-year-old unattended for long in the shower. She acutally slipped a couple weeks ago. As it turned out, she was fine. However, if she had hit her head and I wasn't checking on her every 3-5 minutes, it could have had serious results. Thanks for pointing this out- I can't believe how many would leave their young children unattended.

Answer 5

in 10 more days my daughter will turn 1 year old and from all the new things shes begun doing so quickly I definitely would not leave her unattended especially in a bathtub. An appropriate age I would feel comfortable with is probably 4-5ish with the door open and I would fill the water to a safe temperature and amount. I suppose it just depends on the kid and how comfortable the parent feels. Good question though.

Answer 6

6 or 7

Answer 7

what do you mean by unattended? There is no need to waste a 30 minutes of your time to sit next to the bath tub and watch a year old take a bath. Most kids can swim by that age. I think you should leave the door cracked so they you can hear them when they call for you, and check on them about every 5 to 10 minutes, but you only need to be with them 100 percent of the time up until when they are about 3. you need to give your kids a little freedom. I mean everything that they will ever do has risks to it. a bath should be the least of your worries. Don't baby them all their life

Answer 8

I'd say past five or six. Even though I'm like 18 and don't have kids making my opinion not matter, lol, but I do remember when I was that young!



When I was four, my mom left me and my brother in the tub just for a few seconds and I ended up with a cut (I found one of her shaving blades) so I'd say past five or six years old would be a good time to leave them unattended.



Have a good day!

Answer 9

A boy from my town just died because the babysitter decided he would be okay in a bathtub FULL of water. He left the boy alone for at least 20-45 minutes. The boy drowned within 15 minutes. NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILDREN UNATTENDED.

Answer 10

I have a two yr old and 5 yr old. I don't leave them unattended. Whenever I have to go to the closet and grab a towel if I forget to put it in the bathroom first my heart jumps and I hate it. My closet is only three or four steps away, but you know it only takes a second for something to happen. I especially worry for my two yr old whenever I have had to step away. I know you shouldn't even walk out of the bathroom at all, but even at the times I had to I was scared, yeah!

Answer 11

I agree, My kids weren't allowed to remain in the bath alone until they were 5, even then the door was open and I was in the next room, and if it got quiet, I would immediately check. Also, a child can drown in as little as an inch of water.

Answer 12

I think the earliest age is around 5 because you never know what could happen. Ages 2 and 3 are way too young!

Answer 13

I agree w/ you & waited until my son was 5, but left

the door open so I could hear what he was up to & if he

needed me ( or my husand) . A child could easily get hurt while in the tub, it's best to keep an eye on them

until the are old enough to know what & what not to do

in the tub. You could also ask your Ped. Dr. for their

opinion re. this.

Answer 14

I think at 2 and 3 the parent should be watching them. At 4 you should be watching them but if you need to step away for a second to get something then that's fine. 5 is when they should be able to bathe without supervision.

Answer 15

I totally agree with you. I would be totally devastated to come back to find a child hurt or drowned because of my inattentiveness. Even older children need supervision to make sure they wash behind the ears, get all the shampoo out and get their necks clean.

Answer 16

i totaly agree as well. When they are old enough to be in a (grade) of school... then they normally can fend for them selfs. Start by wakling away outside of the bathroom door every 2-3 min. and observing what they do in that time. You will know when they are ready

Answer 17

I agree, accidents happen at all ages. My kids were never allowed to lock the bathroom door (in case a loud bang was heard - falling) and in exchange I NEVER opened the door unless they needed me (after they were old enough of course).

Answer 18

I say at five years is when you can leave a child in the tub by his/herself. Defiantly not two or three!

Answer 19

I totally agree, I say the earliest is age 6.

Answer 20

I agree with you. They're not completely able to be alone until like age 6.

Answer 21

I still don't plug the tub, I am so terrified they will drown, even with me in the room.

Answer 22

Hard to answer. I spent the first nine months of my life in amniotic fluid and I didn't drown. After that it got a little more complicated.