Bathtub Fun
The title of this entry truly is an innocent one, relating to my children. However, it occurred to me that I’ll probably get some interesting google hits off that one. Yikes. 
My son’s latest obsession is bathtub placement. 
He wants to take the first bath of the night and gloat over it to his eighteen-month-old sister. “I’m first and you’re last!” he’ll taunt. She eyes him with a look of–”Yeah, whatever. I’ll go destroy your toys when you aren’t looking.” 
It started out harmless enough. I didn’t care. After all, what difference did it make? As long as they both get clean, what does it matter who’s first or last? But then there was the night when I DARED to give his sister the first bath. I believe horns sprouted upon my son’s head and his eyes grew fiery red. Steam rose from his ears. 
“She’s last and I’M FIRST!” he howled. “Mommy, you don’t let her go first!”
Okay, had to nip that one in the bud. 
It was a case of “Don’t take that tone with me, young whipper snapper.” Sadly, he decided to test his limits. It amazes me how the two-year-old children test physical boundaries (throwing themselves off furniture, climbing on top of tables, playing with electrical cords) and three-year-olds test verbal boundaries. Let’s just say that this mommy wasn’t about to be bossed around by Defiant Boy. There were repercussions of a sort that brought forth much gnashing of teeth and wailing. He was not at all pleased at being last.
Tonight, however, was a different story. He told me he preferred to take his bath last. When he saw me bathing his sister, he changed his mind and asked politely, “Can we do both? Can I take a bath with her?” (Okay, so sue me. They’re too young to know the difference and bathing two toddlers simultaneously is a gift of efficiency. 
The only comment ever made by him was–”She has two bums!”)
Within minutes they were joyfully splashing each other and sticking foam alphabet letters on each other. Giggles and fun abounded.
And I thought to myself, moments like these are the stuff of memories.
Michelle posted in Writing @ 10:37 pm | Viewed 843 times
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Glad it all turned out okay, Michelle
Missie Says:
I think You are SuperMom for doing the two baths to begin with. You must have spent some serious time every night in the throne room. Nothing wrong with throwing them both in there and letting the splashing clean them up.
:cheer::hello2::headspin::fryingpan:
Must find out how you got these smilies. The smiley thing I downloaded doesn’t work! Waaah! :loser:
Le Ellis Says:
My son and daughter used to bathe together. they’re older now so they shower or bathe separately. But on Christmas eve they were bathing in the tub together and my then 3 year old daughter said, “Next time, I want one of those!” She was trying to grab my son’s…well, you can guess.
Robyn Says:
My girl and boy are 20 months apart. You bet they bathed together. From the ages of 3 and 1 to about 5 and 3 they slept in the same room, too.
Wait until baby girl hits 3 for verbal boundaries. I’ll take a 2 year old boy over a 3 year old girl anyday. :confused2:
Bosey Says:
Growing up, my brother hated me for usurping his role as the youngest, and he always demanded to be first, have the last treat, etc, etc. Bathing together would NOT have been an option for him, so it’s wonderful to me that your son has shown such maturity by not being jealous of his baby sister. Must be doing something right there, Michelle
Congrats on being a great mom!
Stephanie
Melissa Says:
My stepsons used to take baths together when they were young. VERY efficient!
Make sure and get some photos of them in the bath together - to capture your memories and as future blackmail!
Rene Says:
I used to bathe my son and daughter together when they were little. It was efficient and they had fun.
I’ve always thought 3 year olds were worse than 2 year olds. My son didn’t become human again until he hit 6.
Mary Says:
I only had one daughter so this was never a problem. However, when she was a teen it was tough to get her out of the bathroom.:confused:
Kelly Says:
When my brother were 2 & 3 respectively, Mom turned her back long enough for us to decide we were going to have a race to see who could get out of the tub fastest. Needless to say, I won by a chin, and I still have the scar to prove it…
Crystal* Says:
YES YES YES!
*laughing*
That’s so sweet. And those are the moments to cherish.
I stuck all my chickens in the tub for years. I think the oldest was four by the time I stopped. They’re stair steps anyway. And they loved it. Great pictures, too.
Grins*
Amy K. Says:
Two bums. OMG I love it!!!
We used to bathe both boys together. But until we spring for flood insurance, that’s a thing of the past.
jaq Says:
lol. Great post, Michelle! ‘two bums’ *gg*