Bathing question?
Answer:
I think you have to give him a little room to make mistakes. You may have to give him a reward for getting it right and if he can do this four times out of seven he gets the reward. Maby as simple as pick out a movie to rent or just going to McDonald's for supper. Remember that in order to make good adult decisions you must make bad ones to learn.So its better to learn from his mistakes as a child than wait until he is a adult to start learning.When its time for his bath have him get his towel, and start his bath, while it is going go over the things he needs to do in the bath. Then let him know if he can do this you will reward him.Hope this works for you and him.Good Luck and remember you are learning as much as he is only for his benefit.
I think he's acting like a typical 7-year-old. Hygiene is just not a big priority in their lives, and probably won't be until they reach the age where they start worrying about getting girls to like them. Anticipate having to nag for a while longer. My son is 8, and I still have to smell him all over after his bath to make sure he really washed. Knowing I'll check is the only thing that keeps him honest about it!
Yes I do. My six year old has been doing her own for two years now, with a final inspection by me or her father before draining the tub. Did his mother baby him in this area, or has he had a drowning scare in the past? These things might make him unsure, or feel he needs more attention. Maybe you shoudl make it a big boy chore for him like cleaning his room and doing his homework without prompting? I hope this helps!
Sounds normal to me, my son is 12 and I still have to make sure he does what he is supposed to.
He probably is feeling insecure still. You mentioned you have custody of him. He might be going thru all sorts of abandonment feelings and insecurities. I would still stay in the room until he becomes more secure with you and himself. Try going to target or other store and getting those bath paints that he can play with in the tub to keep him company and help with his bathing. There are all sorts of things you can try...like hand puppet bath clothes and character soaps. Give it a try. What do you have to lose?? A child who really needs you and your love and attention is what is the key here. Good luck and your doing a wonderful thing.
He may just need some more time. Don't worry about it now. However, you can try buying fun bathroom products---like the Kandoos! They feature cute cartoon characters and encourage kids to use the products for bathing by utilizing fun and colorful packaging and shapes. For example, they have a soap foamer that he can make a soap beard out of and then wash his face with.
that is normal. let him play for a while if he wants and when he wants to get out. tell him he has to wash up and his hair, if you have to stay there to watch. then do it. when he gets alittle bit older . hopefully you won't have to watch him anymore. good luck. when my granddaughter comes over shes 6. All I do is sit there with her and she likes bubbles, I give her an empty bottle and cup and she plays with them and washes her self as long as I am there and the water is not high.
My daughter is 9 and I still have to check in and remind her to wash everything. Kids don't really care about that at this age. Try to go through all the steps then leave for a while and go back and check in. Check in less each bath time but do a final inspection. Before you know it he will be off to college and you will be missing these days.
Well...i completely understand your frustration...But you have to realize that a shower/bath is a really big deal to a kid. As the child was growing up there has always been someone there with them helping them and guiding them. Now you feel that the child needs to "grow up" and take care of himself. The easiest way to get him to do that is by "weening" him away from your bathing guidance. At first be by his side the whole bath and show him what to do again, mostly for reassurance. Then later start making him do the tasks while you are right there watching. The next step would be just being in the bathroom while he is bathing and if he feels insecure or needs help you are there. (this is a very good time to get a little cleaning done too!) Then all of a sudden one day hopefully soon he will say that he does not need you there and that he can do in all by himself!
I think there is more to this than bathing. I would be curious why you have custody of your nephew and what age that occurred? If this is a recent happening, it may well be your nephew has separation issues. It could be the bath time represents the ultimate closeness - in essence baring himself to you as an act of submission (not sexual) desiring your acceptance of him. It becomes a "quality" time of being one on one with you.
If this makes sense, perhaps you could create other special times to spend with you nephew, and thereby wean him from the bath time togetherness.
On the other hand, while a seven year old is probably capable of bathing himself, there's really no harm in continuing the special time with him.
it sounds normal to me. give him a couple of more years and he should be able to do this on his own. every kid is different. you just have to figure out what works. hope this helps. good luck.
Bathing is probably not high on his list of priorities or maybe he is trying to spend more time with you. have patience with him. and love on him as a guardian should.
My eight year old daughter still needs help too. It is more beneficial to help to make sure all the soap is out, can cause skin irritation, he's 7 and he is going to need alot of help with alot of things for a long time.
My daughter is 7, and still needs help getting the soap out of her hair, and getting the final rinse.
No drowning scare - she is almost done all the swimming levels. At 7!! Competitive swimmer, etc etc etc
She wasn't babied - otherwise she soaks in the tub like any good teenager would. Some kids just need the help. Sit with him and talk to him while he does it!
I dont know of any 7 year old that will take it upon theirselves to do most anything without prompting.
Kids are focused on playing and having fun. They are simply not interested in hygeine and chores. They wont be for quite some years. Get him used to a schedule. At a certain time he should take a bath. Let him get his pajamas ready. Let him take an active part of getting ready for the bath. You will have to run the bath to assure its a correct temp. Honestly I am not sure I would even think a 7 yr old could wash their hair properly.
Be patient and guide him.
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