by Bobbi Stonskas

Created on: June 22, 2009

Bath time for a toddler or young child is a ritual like cleaning their room. Of course it's not going to be fun. However, you as the parent can change that and must unless you want to fight with your child for every bath time session. In order to inspire your child to want to take a bath, you must think like your child. What is his most important focus in life? Having fun! Here are some simple, inexpensive tricks to spice up the bath time routine:

1. Add bubbles to the bathwater. While your child is in the water, make beards on he and yourself. Show him how silly he looks.

2. Designate special bath time toys. These toys should only be played with in the tub. This way your child will want to take a bath to play with the special toy. It is okay to add in other toys too. Allowing your toddler to play is guaranteed to make taking a bath more fun.

3. Allow your toddler to swim in the tub. Turn it into a game. Count aloud while he holds his head under water. Dare him that he can't hold it under until you count to five. If he does that easily, use reverse psychology and keep growing the number until either he gets bored or the number is getting really high. (This trick is a great way to get your child's hair wet or to rinse out shampoo while he doesn't suspect a thing.)

4. Make sure you use "no tears" shampoo and soap so your child isn't afraid of getting water in his eyes.

5. Purchase inexpensive soap crayons or foam soap. Do this occasionally to bribe him into getting into the bath. Once he's in, let him have fun.

6. Stay by his side and play with him in the water. (Staying in the bathroom is a necessary safety precaution, but don't think of bath time as the time to clean the rest of the bathroom.)

7. If your child is young enough and you feel comfortable, hop on in the tub too. Your child won't think of bath time as such a chore if mom or dad is in there to play. You can also introduce showers this way too. A shower is like playing in the rain.

8. Entice your toddler with fun activities after the bath can work too. Watch a favorite movie together, play a game or go for a walk together.

Toddlers and young children's minds believe the world should revolve around them. For the most part, they are correct. Adults are constantly watching out for them even when they aren't giving direct attention. Have you ever been cooking dinner and noticed your toddler sticking something in his mouth? Of course, you immediately stopped what you were doing and took the foreign object away. Even when you are busy, you are paying attention. So, when bathing your toddler, give him direct attention. After a few bath times, he will learn that Mom and Dad focus directly upon him during that time.

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