bathtime stress

My girls used to love the bathtub but lately it's been a fight to get clean especially washing their hair. UGH! My husband won't even offer to give them baths anymore he hates it. They scream and splash we end up more wet than they are.
They're fine if they can just sit and play, but when I say it's time to get clean the crankiness begins. The worst is washing the hair, I
they do not like having water poured on their heads at all. I tried to get them to lay in the water so I can rinse most of the shampoo out but that doesn't work. What about those shampoo visors I've seen in the One Step Ahead catalog? worth the money? Any suggestions appreciated.
* The girls are 2 years old (1-25-05)



Thanks,
Michele

 

We go through various phases like you're describing...some days they are fine with the hair washing, other days it's a battle to put a drop of water on their heads. I even bought these special cups that mold to their heads...not worth the money since they don't stay still long enough to properly apply them! Anyway, I just try and do it first thing, so it's over with quickly. We also make a game with the suds/bubbles (I like to leave the shampoo on for a little since it has a conditioner as well) and then we just bite the bullet and rinse away.

So, sorry I'm really of no help, but at least you know you're not alone!!

 

We use a hand held shower head so I am no help as far as not getting water in their eyes. But I think the fighting you on washing is just a control thing. If you keep at it and show them it is not an option then they will likely get used to it. We don't tell ousr we are going to wash their hair...we just do it. Ours like to fight us on brushing teeth, but we have always been consistent and we do it even if they are crying about it. They are now much better about it and rarely put up a fight.

 

We used the visors and they worked well. We also had them tip their heads back. We also have the hand held shower and I've found that if we put that on and sing "Rain, Rain, Go Away" or "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" (or even in our house "I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outta My Hair") they tolerate it more. And, let them know that you have a towel on hand so they can dry their faces as soon as they are rinsed.

 

I have a pic of Elmo taped to the ceiling over the tub, and when it's time to rinse their hair I just say, "Where's Elmo?" and then I do it quickly. Sometimes I'll change it out with Clifford or Cookie Monster, etc to keep it interesting

 

try bathing one at a time, one twin can play in their room/with daddy while the other twin is having their bath.

 

maybe wash them before they get to play. We wash ours first thing and don't have any problems. Maybe if you tell them they have to get clean first they won't be so much trouble.

 

At that age we let them each hold a dry washcloth over their eyes. Now they just ask us for a towel when we are done.