How often should an 8 yr old take showers?

[Anonymous]

Help us end this debate at home. This is your typical 8 yr old during a typical week. Assume winter-ish weather, recess everyday with some running around, gym once a week, more physical activity on weekends. She also doesn't have any particular skin disorders or bad body order. One parent says daily, with no exceptions. The other says 2 times during the school week and then as needed on weekends (depending on activities).

What's your opinion on this?

[Anonymous]

every other day pretty much so 3-4 times a week with wash cloth clean ups (under arms, face / neck) on the days she doesn't take a shower

(this is our schedule at my house for an almost 8 yo with similar schedule)

[Anonymous]

I don't see a problem with missing a day or two between showers at that age, though at that point, mine loved to bathe so I couldn't keep them out of the tub or shower. It was only later when they needed to bathe daily that making it happen became difficult.

[Anonymous]

daily- dont you like to shower daily? not to be snarky I just think everyone feels better after a shower.

[Anonymous]

I've been wondering this too. I will say that we are in the 2x a week (or more depending on activities) camp, but there are a lot of people on this board who say that every kid should bathe every day period.

Also, we still help with hair washing most of the time-- when did people turn that over entirely to their kid?

[Anonymous]

My kids started washing their own hair by age 4. My youngest is 4 now and probably once a month she'll ask me for help because she wants attention.

[Anonymous]

3-4 time a week, more perhaps during the warm months when they are playing outside, doing sports, sweating, etc.

[Anonymous]

I don't think a daily shower is necessary for a non-smelly 8 year old. 3-4 times a week sounds perfectly fine to me. Washing hair daily dries it out. Sure, I agree with pp that I *need* my daily shower- but I probably shouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Depends on how dirty the kid gets. Either every day or every other day.

[Anonymous]

We aim for every day (she still does bath), but we dont sweat it if we miss a day here or there especially in the winter. As long as you child does not smell or look dirty you should do whatever works for your schedules.

BTW, my husband "insist" on daily baths but since he is rarely home at bathtime that rule is generally ignored.

[Anonymous]

I have an 8 y.o. with the same circumstances you describe OP and he gets 3 showers a week. He does not smell at all (like DH, it's remarkable).

Here's what I wonder, though. Should we be in the HABIT of bathing daily, just to get in that rhythm, because puberty-stink is right around the corner? There will come a time when 3x a week won't cut it, because he'll be creating B.O. daily, and I wonder if he'll balk at daily showers then since he's not used to it.

[Anonymous]

3 x weekly. Eight year olds do not have the mature sweat glands that adults do. And daily bathing/showering in winter time can actually be destructive to skin.

[Anonymous]

Daily. DD (7) starts to stink if she goes longer. She doesn't necessarily wash her hair every day though - that can go a few days (with just wetting it in between).

[Anonymous]

Every other day/four times a week is our routine. DS is 5 and still needs help to do it, though he is capable. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday.

[Anonymous]

Roughly ever other night. More if very active during the hot summer, less in the colder winter and less active.