Bath sharing

I can't see the point and even think this might be a windup.
And maybe it shouldn't be posted on here where it can be read
by the big wide world.
I know I'm a bit of a prude though. Who knows what goes on in families?

It’s a total No! No! That grandad should know better.

My eldest son's daughters stay here with us every other weekend, and neither of us would ever dream of getting into the bath with them. They are 10 and 61/2. I think it's very wrong.

When my 2 boys were little, I sometimes shared a bath with them (up to the age of about 5 or 6), but stopped when they asked questions about body differences. My husband never had a bath with them.

I bathed with both of my parents when little...absolutely loved it and would never consider it inappropriate at all.
HOWEVER, being in the bath with my Dad ended when I pointed at his willy and wanted to know what that was and when would I get one?!!
For me things come to a natural conclusion and children become more aware.
I was also extremely close to my grandparents and the highlight of the week was Saturday sleepover with them because on Sunday mornings, I'd crawl into bed with my wonderful grandad and we'd have tea and toast together and then he'd tell me stories....but bathing, no!

Absolutely not. The grandfather should know better. It's just wrong.
Regarding children bathing together, that's different. I actually shared a bath with the boy next door when I was young. (It was wartime, hot water was in short supply). But even so, I think after the age of 7 or 8 it's best not to.

Rufus2, that’s why we have 2 baths with good showers over
After the odd bath, just shower off - best of both worlds
Witzend So you have a soak in bath No. 1, shower, hop over to bath No2 then shower again?
Increases the risk of going base over apex surely?
My solution would be to get rid of all these outmoded baths and install a round jaccuzi, or whatever you call them!
Then you can all at least enjoy a soak whilst still maintaining social distancing!!
Where's the problem!
OoRoo

Why would anyone want to do it?
It sounds ridiculously impractical and a complete faff.
'Come on, let's all get in the bath together'
It's not right, is it?

It doesn't sound right to me. Maybe, if the children do mention it, ask ''is it fun?' in a light hearted way.

Rufus2, that’s why we have 2 baths with good showers over. After the odd bath, just shower off - best of both worlds.

It’s a very definite NO from me and I’m surprised that everyone else in the family goes along with it.
I would certainly mention it .

Ps, have the children actually told you ‘ it’s fun’, or has this come from the adults assumptions. It may be they don’t like it, but are scared to say.
Just a thought.

The logistics of it all bothers me, before you even get to the rights and wrongs. Is it a jacuzzi size bath?!
I agree with everyone else, it’s bad enough they’re all naked in the garden ( poor neighbours!), but that’s totally different to being literally on top of each other in the bath. I wouldn’t even bath a 7 and 4 year old together, let alone grandad.
I’ll be honest OP, this made me feel very uneasy too, but others are right, you can’t interfere. Just be on the lookout for little things your grandchildren may tell you in the future.

Not sure if this is right in practical terms. How do you fit an adult and 2 kids in a bath ? I have problems fitting the sponge in with me !!!

I agree with v3ra. But I would have to mention to my son that I'm not comfortable with it just so he knows. You might make him think about it. After that you cannot do anything else just be aware of any changes in the children's behaviour..

Totally agree.

No,no and no.
I am concerned that any man would think it is acceptable to get in a bath with two children.
This is a huge safeguarding issue.
There are many ways to have fun with grandchildren that don’t involve being naked.
Our 6 year old granddaughter is already body conscious and prefers it to be myself bathing her.
This is quite normal.

I think you could question how big the bath is now that they are bigger!

Given that my GS (5) takes great pride and pleasure in weeing in his bath , I don't think I'd rush to share it
Maw
I don't think you'd rush to share mine either!
Haven't had a bath for over 50 years since arriving in OZ!
Couldn't abide wallowing in sudsy water and scum that clings to you when climbing out! Needs a shower to get rid of .it.
Analogous to washing up the dishes in the kitchen
. Use a double sink; one wash, the other rinse and throw out that soggy tea-towel and let things dry naturally in the drying rack; that's what it's for!
Why do hospitals usually have only showers?
You know it makes sense!
Good Health.

OP, you could contact the NSPCC, just to float the issue by them. no pun intended.
www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
scroll down beyond the donation part.

I realise that you can’t comment to the parents about this if they are okay with it, but it doesn’t sit well with me at all. I wouldn’t bath with my grandchildren, in fact I no longer let the older boys see me at all without clothes, even when they were living here. The older boys are 7 and 8 years old.

Lucca you obviously have an observant grandchild
Maw I wouldn’t want to share a bath with wee either

I have no problem with nudity when children are present; although in the main it is usual for that to be parents only. If some families extend that to grandparents, that is their choice. Wouldn't be mine I have to say.

But all crammed in a bath together where intimate touching is inevitable......I really do think that is highly inappropriate.

What can you do though?

I wouldn't be comfortable with it and I think it's poor judgement on the part of the grandfather.

I used to bath my kids together and your post has reminded me of when they asked me about the facts of life. My son was already out of the bath, and I said something about sperm in his testicles and babies, can't remember exactly. I do remember to this day him lifting his penis and looking at them and saying 'can I only have two children then'? Ha ha I failed on the basics!

You mention ‘the other set of grandparents’ so presumably there’s a grandmother in the house when the three of them are in the bath. Hopefully she’s in the bathroom with them or goes in very frequently.
It’s certainly not right for many reasons imo. I’m another who thinks it’s a safeguarding issue. Conversation about this in school is the answer.

This makes me really uncomfortable. I would have to say something to the parents.