One day your toddler loves bathtime and the next he’s terrified and refusing to even go in the bathroom. 

While these fears may seem irrational from an adult perspective, they’re real to your toddler. Rather than try to force, bribe, or reason with your toddler, try to understand his perspective. 

⚡️ACKNOWLEDGE FEELINGS

“You’re scared of the bath. I get it.”

Just showing that you understand what your child is experiencing is reassuring.  

⚡️EMPOWER YOUR CHILD

“Would you like a bubble bath or sponge bath instead?” Giving choices helps your child feel powerful while you stick to your boundaries.  

Other reasons for bathtime resistance are fear of getting soap in the eyes and also wanting to avoid bedtime. 

Ask your child to check if there are any planes in the sky. He/she will look up and then you can rinse her hair. I suspect you can come up with more creative ways to get your child to look up at the ceiling. 

If your little person is refusing to bathe but it’s not because of fears, consider whether she’s trying to avoid the next step - bedtime. If so, move bathtime to earlier in the day.