Kids bathing together

This is a hard one but I'd say hold your ground and be firm about it. Tell them that they are getting older and it may be time to start taking separate baths. I remember when i was a kid i would take a bath with both my little sister and brother at the same time. I was 7 and they were both 5. Once i had my 8th birthday we just stopped cold turkey and my mom would run us all separate baths (and honestly i liked having my own bath) we had lots of bath toys and i didn't need to share them when having my own bath. I can understand it may be super hard since they seem to really like the company of one another but maybe make each bath time super special. More toys, more bubbles. Make bath time a super special time for them individually?

They're only 5 and 6 years old. I don't see any problem with them having baths together. I had baths with my younger sisters. Why do you want them to bathe separately? They aren't going through puberty yet. It's also easier to just bathe them together.

Not make it weird, eventually they won't want to any more anyway

Definitely have a talk with them about getting older. Kids start to get curious about body parts. So. It’s definitely time they stopped bathing together.

I think my mom stopped bathing us together around 5/6.

If they're both comfortable then I would really try not to impose any body shame on them. In the nicest possible way, this is your issue not theirs.

As they get older they will almost certainly reach an age where they want separate baths. Giving them the opportunity is fine but forcing it is only likely to create resentment.

I think they’ll grow out of it

Why would you stop it? Swimming suits is what I use for my kids (5 years old and 7). I don’t allow them go in there naked though. It feels like they are in the same pool together!!

Probably showers honestly, explain to them that now that they’re older it’s no longer appropriate for them to bathe together or shower, you can always use safety as a concern for the shower

Have you suggested a shower? My daughter hates being in the tub alone and wants me to sit in the bathroom but she loves showers by herself. My niece also did that, so maybe have one of them try a shower my themselves and see if it just happens.

we are in the middle of a DCS case and that’s one of the things they want us to do is get them to take baths separately.

DCS wants us to make it stop. That’s why I’m so stressed about it.

Maybe you should have a family meeting and discuss why they have to stop. Talk about age appropriate privacy standards for your household. I have all boys so I'm not entirely well versed in this, but do know that there has to be boundaries, especially as they grow older.

What's the issue? They're siblings. My almost nine year old bathes with his six year old brother and one year old sister. I don't see a problem

how do you thoroughly wash their whole body with swim suits on?

oh bless you, I see how this makes it different.

The main thing seems to me that you and dad need to be on the same page about why this is important. Consistency will help them understand the switch.

I would probably start with an explanation about why the routine is changing.

Would it be ok if one bathed while the other played nearby then swapped? Might be one way of allowing them to be together without being in together. If that would still pose as issue then I'd provide a specific activity for the one not in the bath that you know they like, and then something they get to do together after.

Sorry you're going through that xx

why do they want siblings to stop having a bath together? Has one been inappropriate with the other? If yes then the one who has been inappropriate has likely been shown that. If no, I don't see an issue. What's the reasoning behind them not wanting to bathe together?

What is a dcs case mean?

Maybe try giving the one child out of the tub one on one time with dad. Where they can do something special while they wait for their turn.

I absolutely second, third, and fourth your suggestion.

Am I missing something? They're 6 and 5? Still innocent babies! Why do DSS say this? What's their reasoning? X x

when they finish playing, they will undress themselves and while one is being washed the other is doing something else (playing or still undressing etc). I am there to help them wash

I would think a talk about personal privacy and hygiene would do the trick. I wouldn’t want to share my toothbrush or bath water with someone and i think it’s important for kids to learn about when and why they would want privacy.
I see what some people are saying about it not being a big deal since they are siblings, but just because I have siblings doesn’t mean I want to share dirty bath water with them…

you phrased your heavy assumption as a statement- Would you mind sharing where you got your information that 100% of all “inappropriate” behavior of children has been shown to them?

Because it seems like even innocent curiosity could be deemed as “inappropriate” by authorities, and they probably want to have boundaries in place more for prevention than anything, but I’m guessing and I’m not expert, just empathizing with the OP about more unnecessary stress and judgement being added to their situation when they are clearly trying to do what’s best for their children by asking for advice *how to get them to bathe separately*