For children that have been abused and in foster care, bath time can become a nightmare for a foster parent. The bathroom has been the place of the abuse that some foster children have lived through.

In the eyes of a foster child that has suffered abuse in the bathroom, it is no longer a safe place for a child to take a bath or go to the restroom. This can be a challenge that a foster parent face rather quickly. I have seen children that were afraid of what might happen in the bathroom to the children that would go berserk in there. We probably cannot even begin to imagine what some of these children suffered in there own bathrooms.

I have tried different things to help ease their anxiety during bath time: bubble baths, choosing a toy to play with, shaving cream also can be fun for children to play with, etc. These things have not made a huge difference with my foster children, but it helps get them in the tub without fighting them.

One thing that I have done that does help with these children is leaving the bathroom door open. Really the only thing that helps is time, learning that you will not hurt them and the bathroom can be a safe place. I closed the door once (without thinking), and the child lost it, screaming, hitting, pushing and trying to bite me.

Remember for some of these children getting a proper bath (with soap, being washed, and shampoo their hair) can be a whole new experience so go slow talking to them and telling them what you are doing and why. Some foster children may fight you tooth and nail the first few times. I had one autistic toddler that pulled me into the tub shoes and all while I tried to keep him in the tub and bathe him.

Articles at adoption.com:

Bathtime Struggles

The Greatest Honor