Mine are 2.5 but I leave the door open and don’t go out of hearing range with them. I just quickly pick up stuff on the same level we are on and lay out their pjs and diapers for when they get out. I try not to waste any time around here because there is always something to clean up or put away.

I do the reverse as far as washing/playing. I let her play first then wash right before i get her out. I probably started leaving her around 3. I was on the same level though and could hear her.

My 4 year old is just fine in the bath on her own. But I am pretty strict about no rough play. She rarely has the chance to be alone though since I also have a 2 year old and they bathe together a lot. I will quickly step out (to say throw something in the laundry basket) but they can't be trusted TOGETHER because they get too rowdy. I'm worried someone is going to crack their head.

So I think most 4 year olds are fine. 3 will depend on the kid and only for short bits. 2 and under need pretty close supervision.

I feel comfortable stepping away from my 2.5 year old as long as I stay within earshot (maybe I tidy up her bedroom or go put on my on PJs.) She talks to herself incessantly so as long as I can hear her talking I feel fine. When she goes quiet I check on her. I'll probably wait until she can swim / hold her breath before I'd actually venture away.

I tell my 5 year old twins "One of you call me if something bad happens to the other one"

Boom, done.

I recommend all zygotes divide.

Yes I do this too now with my youngest - she just turned 4. Prob since 3.5. In fact, doing it now as she’s home sick.

Started leaving him in there around age 3. He will play for up to an hour - loves the bath. I stay on the same floor, with the door open, but do other things. I will run downstairs to start a load of laundry or clean the dishes, but don't like being on a separate floor for too long.

He is sturdy enough to get out of the bath on his own if he needed to do so, and I have no fear whatsoever of drowning. My only fear is if he slips and hurts himself.

I also have two that play in the bath together, so I just read things on my phone until they are done. If for some reason my 4 year old is in there alone (almost never happens because the little one loooooves baths), I will leave the room to do other things and come back and check if it's too quiet.

We do "bath business" (hair and body washing) and then they play together for awhile while I look at my phone or maybe step out to get PJs out if I hadn't before. DD4 can stay and play longer while I get DD2 in PJs in the next room.

My 2 and 4 yr old play together in the bath. If it was just the 4.5yr old, I could leave him within earshot because he’s a decent swimmer. It’s not safe for them to be together in case they splash too much or slip and hit their head while goofing off. I use bath time to do a face mask, file my nails, cut coupons, read and sort the mail, add items to our family online calendar, email people back, etc.

I can’t wait. DD isonly 2.5so I use that time to clean the bathroom. She gets to bathe in different ones so I clean all the bathrooms ..

We started about 4. I would pop my head in every once in a while. Now my kid is almost 7, I stay within earshot, and if it's too quiet or there's a big thunk or something, I call out or stick my head in.

I waited until he was comfortable with basic swimming principles, probably around 5 or so. And the door stays open and I pop my head in regularly. If I hear any loud noises or thunks, I immediately go and check on him. DS is 6 now. I more worry that he is going to play hard and whap his head on something because he has no sense of spatial awareness, he walks into everything.

Anonymous wrote:At what age did you let your kids play independently in the bath? We’ll start the bath, getting washing out of the way and then let my 4yo play while we’re cleaning up from the day. We check periodically but don’t sit there and watch him. The grandparents think we should watch him the whole time. Just curious what others do...are we really out of line?

I think it’s totally fine. I leave my almost 3 year old on the bath while I tidy up stuff. I make sure I can hear her and check on her a few times.

At what age did you let your kids play independently in the bath? We’ll start the bath, getting washing out of the way and then let my 4yo play while we’re cleaning up from the day. We check periodically but don’t sit there and watch him. The grandparents think we should watch him the whole time. Just curious what others do...are we really out of line?