family bathroom scheduling ideas

The family bathroom 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 easy family bathroom ideas for scheduling can help conserve water and tame morning-rush tempers.

Set Time Limits for Toddlers and Teens in the Family Bathroom

Ease the rush-hour crush by setting a time limit (and a timer) for older kids and toddlers in the bathroom. 

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

Consider a Shower Radio for School-Age Bathers

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

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

Assign Specific Times for Bathroom Use

People who live in homes with only one bathroom and more than two people have an additional challenge  - they can run into massive traffic jams as everyone tries to use the space at once.

Timing is of the essence here for a successful shared-bathroom experience.

Especially if the children in question are of the opposite sexes. (Warning: The problem only intensifies as the kids enter their teen years.)

One family I know copes by designating specific bathroom times for each child on school mornings or other high-traffic times of the day.

For example, one kid gets the room from 6:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.  Another child reports for duty from 7:00 to 7:30.

Firm Rules are Necessary Here

Firm rules are necessary here.

Our family favorite: If you snooze (during your allotted time), you lose your turn in the bathroom. No whining allowed.

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