Bathroom Schedule for Families: 4 Easy Tips for Making It Work

Bathroom Schedule for Families: 4 Tips for Making This Shared Space Work.

This room, when shared by kids, presents a parent's paradox.

You can't get your school-age kid into the bath or shower, and you can't get your toddler or teenager out.

What's a water-conscious mom or dad to do?

These 4 simple tips can help you manage mornings.

1 Start by setting a time limit (and a timer) for older kids and toddlers.

Ten minutes is plenty for most kids, unless they've tackled a quarterback (teens) or a Quarter Pounder (toddlers).

2 For those school-age kids who find every excuse in the book not to bathe, consider investing in a shower radio.

Perhaps it will encourage them to whistle while they work. With the soap and shampoo, that is.

3 Timing is of the essence for a successful room-sharing experience.

Especially if the children in question are of the opposite sexes.

(Warning: The problem only intensifies as the kids enter their teen years.)

Designate specific times for each child on school mornings or at other high-traffic times of the day. For example, one kid gets the room from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Another child reports for duty from 7:00 to 7:30.

4 Firm rules are necessary here.

My family favorite: If you snooze (during your allotted time), you lose. No whining allowed.

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