Bathing the little one can be quite when it comes to water usage. While I want him to enjoy all the splitter splatter, am not very comfortable with water being wasted. So without letting the little one miss out on this joy called carefree childhood, i try my best to make it more fulfilling yet as responsible as i can afford to be (we all have our circumstances I know). 

When he was tinier, my mom would sing a traditional song for him while bathing him while he would just lay on his bathing chair and try and catch the water stream. 6 months onwards, the bath times become more active and the urge to splitter splatter creeps in into the naughty minds. I usually filled half a bucket of water, and while it was at it, i would get the boy all excited and happy about bathing, and get him seated in his bathing tub and pour over. Let the fun begin!! After getting him all cleaned with a wash, I would let him sit for a while in the fresh batch and let him have fun. He still follows this bathing routine though, but with him growing up (he is 2 now, a big boy), have introduced the joy of standing and bathing to him. A stream of water falling on the scalp, gushing down his spine.. uses way less water and Ah.. what an experience bathing is..

Many a times, in the hustle bustle of our daily lives, we miss out on such experiences or probably we outgrow them. But for children, every little thing they do is a new experience and needs to be as fulfilling as possible. Life will anyway take a toll and there will be routines and hasty baths, and then dry baths or no baths at all … enjoy till it lasts… both the luxury of time and water…

A lot of mommies complain that their tiny just wont get out of water, or create a tantrum and then cry their lungs out while dressing up. Well, kids do that whenever they are stopped from doing what they are enjoying. We have to talk them out of it.. you have to make both bathing and then dressing up fun for them. If they look forwards to daily activities, it will be much easier for you. i know it takes a lot of energy and effort and talking to convince the little one, but honestly, its worth it.
Here’s a little bit of how we go about it
“Rudu, come let’s go.. you should come out now”
(folding his arms and giving a sharp nudge) “No”
“Rudu Please!, you need to get out. you are clean already”
(stronger comeback) “No”
“Ok fine.. 1 more minute.. do you want your cars?”
(all excited and happy and splash splash)
So i bring him his car, and then pull out another one, and there you go.. some extended moments of fun and joy (this could take a while at times.. just follow the lead, and try and convince him to come out. you can site genuine reasons that the child may relate to and feel the genuineness).

The next couple of times i will get a splash everytime i walk closer to him, which i thoroughly enjoy too. On my next call he usually comes out of water and curls into the towel, and lets go of his body for me to carry…
What a joy it is..that my almost daily story…

Children really adapt. you don’t realise, but they do. they take cues from you, and your reactions to their behavior. You have to maintain a careful balance of following their lead and managing your way. The more you enjoy it the better it is ..

Also, its important for the baby to have moments with both the parents. Husband dear is mostly busy on weekdays, but whenever possible, we make sure the both of us engage with him in our own ways as much as possible. understanding when to give the child his own space and when to intervene requires a lot of patience and understanding. the child is an individual and has his own preferences and likability. 

This is my perception about things. Do share yours because we are all learning our way….