My friend and I both have 3 year old children. We are both males in good relationships with the kids mothers, respectively. He has a little girl, I have a boy. We are both very involved and devoted fathers.

We got into a discussion a while ago about our responsibilities as a parent. We both changed diapers, feed them, clean after them, whatever needs doing... except he refuses to give his daughter a bath. He called it "a woman's job". Figuring it was a cross-gender point, I asked if he had a son instead would it still be the case. He said that "bathtime is a woman's responsibility".

This confused me. Now, my buddy is a great guy, open minded, nice as anyone could possibly hope for... yet this. Am I off base thinking that he is a little out there on this one or is this a prevailing thought? I give my son his bath 95% of the time and my 9 month daughter maybe one out of five times.

This discussion has bothered me for a while.

Hmmm! I really don't understand why he would think this would be solely a woman's job. I do think he's a little off base. I'm not sure I understand his reasoning. Bathtime should be fun, no matter who is giving the bath. Do you think maybe he thinks people will think something is odd if he is bathing his daughter?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starbuck8

Hmmm! I really don't understand why he would think this would be solely a womans job. I do think he's a little off base. I'm not sure I understand his reasoning. Bathtime should be fun, no matter who is giving the bath. Do you think maybe he thinks people will think something is odd if he is bathing his daughter?

---

I don't know. Ive known him for a long time and never came across anything that might make me think that he would care even if someone DID think it was odd. I was absolutely perplexed by the conversation

Yes, it does seem somewhat odd. Could he have had perhaps an experience where someone told him that fathers shouldn't bathe their children, or especially girls? I'm just not sure what to think about this one. I guess I'm as confused as you! I'm grasping at straws, but maybe his mother or father told him that girls and boys shouldn't be bathed together? I really don't know! I'm as confused as you are... so I guess I'm not helping much here, lol!

As long as he makes the effort, and loves his children, I guess bath time shouldn't be a big issue. Each to their own I guess! ;)