Monday, March 09, 2009

Cleansing

I am at a complete loss as to how to convince a four year old he needs a bath or a shower.  Some sort of cleansing at the very least.  Boys are just stinky human beings and need to be clean!  I have tried every trick I can think of - bribing for a special treat afterwards, special fun toys, a shaving kit "just like daddy", you name it I have tried it.  So if you have any suggestions or words of encouragement, I would greatly appreciate them!

7 comments:

BoxcatAV said...

The shaving kit didn't work? I would have thought that would.

Have you let him pick out his own shampoo or soap that nobody else can use? That's what did it for me. Except I was in the 3rd grade. I *HATED* cleansing. Guess my parents made a mistake forcing it on my because you know how I am now.

Oh, does he dislike baths and showers? I do remember the shower being scary.

I can't believe he is 4. Whoa.

MandySue said...

hmmm, I've used plain old food coloring and let Ashley pick her bath color...they also have those crayons and paint stuff for bath time. Hmmm, my kids beg for bathtime so I haven't had to deal with this one.

Anonymous said...

Would he take a shower? Even if he just played it in, it would be better than nothing lol

And, I really hate to tell you, but that issue might get worse before it gets better. He's a boy......and no matter how much they shower/bathe...they still stink LOL

Ellen said...

I don't care how he gets to the clean point. I offer him a shower or bath every time. BUT, last night he actually chose a shower after I posted this! I gave Maddie a small bowl of cool whip for a treat after her bath and that made him decide to shower! Not sure if it will work again, but he got clean last night. Maybe when dad comes home he'll want to shower with the big man.

ItsJustMeHeather said...

Susan is right, It gets worse before it will get better! The other side of the coin is when he discovers girls you won't be able to get him out of the bathroom!

MandySue said...

Oh I thought of one other thing. My kids lately love using straws in the bath. They can blow bubbles in the water and they just get a kick out of it. Maybe something like that...also pour in bubble bath and that would probably make the bubbles hang around longer too.

Is this still the same kid who freaked out when he got dirty and now he just wants to be dirty....hmmmf

Anonymous said...

Put his swim trunks on? Boys do stink, don't they? I read this book some time ago and the author described little boy smell like sweaty potatoes! I agree! Ethan and I are reading a book called Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and it is all about finding "cures" for children's misbehavings. Anyway- there is a story about a radish cure... a little girl who didn't want to bathe. Her parents let her go without baths for some time and she got so dirty they planted radishes on her and she sprouted radishes all over! She decided to bathe without fussing! I know, strange little children's story, but it was cute and thought I'd share! :) Gretchen