Children. A source of pleasure and heartache for more than half of our lives. Once they are born, they consume our every waking thought, and we lie awake at night, worrying what life has in store for them. We can’t wait to put them to bed at night and can’t wait to see them in the morning. Often, we are judged on the quality of our parenting and presentation of our children, so we need to do our best to get it right.
Our home needs to be a haven where the kids feel completely safe and happy. We go to great expense to give them the bedroom of their dreams and a place to store their toys downstairs, but how many of us, I wonder, consider the child’s place in the bathroom. Often, the only way our bathroom caters for them is with a kids toilet seat. No wonder they hate bathtimes in the most uninspiring room in the house.
Let’s take a look at ways to make your bathroom more attractive and practical for the little munchkins.
Safety
A safe environment comes first in the bathroom, just as in any other room. The bathroom presents real dangers that we often do not pay enough heed to. To begin with there is water. The toilet is a deadly trap for unattended toddlers. If they should lean, and then fall, headlong into the pan, it is difficult to get out, and the worst may happen. Luckily, this problem can be eliminated by the use of a lid lock. These clever little devices are easy to fit and can save lives.
Where there is water, there is a danger of slipping. This may be in the bath, shower, or on the bathroom floor. The danger of slipping while bathing or showering is reduced by the use of bath mats. These ingenious little suckered mats have saved thousands of lives and millions of broken bones. Anti-slip vinyl floor coverings will prevent slips on the floor. Also, any steps that the children use to stand on at the sink need a non-slip surface.
That has most of the bases covered except to say that leaving a little one alone in the bath for even a minute is a silly thing to do.
Bathroom Suite
Would you consider a low level basin for your children? It is a sensible thing to do if you have the funds. Buy a small vanity unit and fit a sink from ABL Tile Centre, or another trusted retailer, into it. This would do away with the danger of a child falling off the step and banging their chin on the sink. Adding low pan toilet, as an extra, like the ones used in schools, would make your little one feel very important. “Don’t use my toilet dad!”
Decor
A plain white scheme may suit you, but it is hardly exciting for a child. Think about introducing bright colours to the room, maybe using a seaside theme, for example. There are stencils in the shops that can be used to create a magical undersea world yourself. Alternatively there are stickers of sea creatures that can add to the scene beautifully.
Toys
Toys at bathtime are a must. Keeping a large basket or container with your child’s favourite bath toys piled high in will make your job easier when persuading them to take a bath.
So that is it, of course you will add to and embellish these ideas, and in another ten years you can reclaim your bathroom as your own. Unless, that is, you decide there is room for just one more rugrat. Babies are addictive.
