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A Quick and Easy Bathtime Routine for Busy Moms

Bathtime at the end of a busy day can be the last thing you want to do. Are you contemplating pushing it off one more day because you feel like it’s just such a hassle and laboring process?

I’ve been there and I understand your hesitation to dive into this chaos-filled nightly routine. You’ve both just finished dinner, you’re full, and all you want to do is relax.

Instead, you have to chase around your amped-up toddler to get them undressed, while at the same time get the bath going, and making sure to test the water temp so you don’t accidentally scold your child’s skin.

You set the drain stopper to let the tub fill up and then you turn around to your naked little one peeing on the bathroom rug. You grab your kid and the soiled rug and rush to toss it in the laundry room and grab a towel for the floor. 

When you walk back into the bathroom you realize the tub is now filled with too much water and you have to pull the stopper to drain it down to the right level. Your toddler starts to cry because they think bathtime is over before it’s even begun.

Your head drops in your hands because you are already exhausted and bathtime hasn’t even started. You feel like joining your toddler in a comradery cry.

I’m here to tell you that I’ve been there and it doesn’t have to be this way. Bathtime can go so much smoother, all you need to do is set yourself up for success.

Don’t worry, tired mama, I got you! Let’s break it down.

A Quick and Easy Bathtime Routine for Busy Moms

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Bathtime can be a quick and fun process that’s educational for your toddler and more comfortable for you both.

The Supplies You’ll Need

Plan Ahead

Your first step is to get things lined up so you can go through this whole bathtime routine without the tears. 

Set your bathroom up with easy access to the things you’ll need. Have your towels and washcloths stored in your bathroom or close by so you can grab them quickly for bathtime.

Do your knees a favor and get yourself a kneeling pad commonly used for things like gardening. I store mine between the toilet and bathtub for convenience.

Keep your no-tears shampoo and body wash on the corner of the bath, so when you’re kneeling you can easily apply it to the washcloth.

Have your toys for bath within reach while they’re bathing by getting these handy nets that will hang from your shower wall and allow them to easily drain the toys after use to avoid mold. You can store your bath visor in there as well.

Getting Things Set Up

While your little one finishes up their dinner, start running the water for the bath. With the bathtub filling, set up your after-bath station.

Layout the pajamas, diaper, and make sure the lotion is handy. Then jump back into the bathroom to shut the water off and double-check the temp is good.

If the water ran a little hot, now you have time for it to cool off a little while your child is still clothed. 

Once the water and temp are good to go and you have all the things set up for your after-bath routine, you can quickly clean up your little one from dinner, strip them down, and get them right into the ready-to-go bath.

Scrub-a-dub-dub

I typically toss the toys into the bath while the tub is filling so that my kiddo has entertainment as soon as he’s in.

Let them play around with those while you start washing their hair and body. Strap the visor to their head, rinse their head and body with your handy rinse cup, and the cleaning part is done and out of the way.

While your little one plays, get their toothbrush prepped with toothpaste and lay it out on the edge of the sink. That way you aren’t struggling to try and hold them fresh out of the tub while doing this at the same time.

I made this mistake and the toothpaste tube was immediately grasped by my toddler and the paste went everywhere.

Bathtime Fun

Now, kneel down and enjoy some fun, educational, and relaxing bathtime with your little one and those cool bath toys.

We have bath toy sea creatures, so we go through the names of them and their colors. We also have these fun letters and numbers that easily stick to the side of your tub, shower, or my kid’s body/face.

Grab yourself a set of these and you’ll be able to work with them on learning their colors, letters, words, and numbers while in the bath.

Drain The Tub

My son never wants to get out of the bath, so when it’s time, I tell him “All done” and drain the tub. This technique is twofold.

It lets them know that it’s time to get out (no more water, no more bathtime) and the tub drains so you don’t have to come back and do it after.

After Bath Routine

Grab the hooded towel, fold the hood back, and wrap the towel around your toddler. Lift them out of the tub, hood that head, and then grab the toothbrush and get to shining those pearly whites.

Then it’s off to where you laid out your after-bath supplies to get your child diapered, lotioned up, and clothed efficiently with having all the things ready to go.

And that’s it! You’re done with bathtime and ready to get them ready for the next battle… bedtime.

Good luck!

Cheers, Warriors!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and found it entertaining, educational, inspiring—hopefully, all three. Please be sure to leave any comments or questions you have in the Comments section below. 

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