Since having my first child, I've tried to make bath time fun but efficient. I wanted the children to be able to relax during this time and unwind from the day so they could go to bed clean, relaxed, and happy.
To tell the truth, we haven't always succeeded, and we've had more than one battle, but in general, even though I'm home alone almost every night, bath time - increasingly just a shower - is still a pleasant moment of the day.
The first thing I try to do is take my time and not rush. I like the children to go to bed early, and I also like them to have a bath after dinner because otherwise the bath isn't very beneficial. By giving them dinner early, I ensure that the rest of their daily routine is also early.
When I had babies, I was always with one or two arms in the bathroom. As they grew up, I gave them more and more independence, from going out for a moment to prepare their pajamas, for example, until now, at 6 years old, the oldest showers practically by himself, although he still asks for help to see if there is any shampoo left in his hair.
Having inexpensive natural cosmetics makes things easier. On the one hand, I know the children are using simple, natural products; on the other, I'm not worried about them spending too much—although I do remind them every day that a little bit of shower gel is enough. "Less is more" is our motto in the bathroom.
To prevent lice, I add a few drops of tea tree essential oil to my shampoo during the school year. I also tie my daughter's hair back for school, since she has long hair.
Although we don't do it every day, my children like to put on moisturizer. I let them do it almost entirely on their own, guiding them so they don't use up the whole bottle in two days, something they appreciate and that teaches them to take care of themselves.
They always struggle to get into the shower—they say they want to play longer, that they don't need a bath, and a whole bunch of other excuses—but once they're clean, they're much calmer and more relaxed. In short, they're ready to read for a while and go to sleep. The whole routine takes us about an hour.
What is bath time like for you?
Some of my favorite products
Soft and smells great. For hands, body, and face. To prevent lice.
Super hydrating, natural and rich