How Shared Bath Time Brought Back My Self-Care Ritual

For the longest time, a long, quiet bath was my favourite way to unwind. Bubbles, scrubs, maybe a candle or two, it was my reset button after a busy day. But when I became a parent, that ritual slipped away.

Evenings became a blur of bedtime routines, tidying up, and sheer exhaustion. By the time my child was asleep, the thought of running a bath felt more like another task than a treat. Slowly, without even realising, I stopped doing the thing that always helped me feel grounded and restored.

Then something shifted. Instead of waiting until after bedtime, I started sharing bath time with my child. And it turns out i didn’t need solitude to feel rejuvenated.

With the bubbles, the body scrubs, and my favourite calming blends, I kept the pieces of my old routine but added something new: laughter, play, and connection. It became more than just self-care. It became bonding time.

What surprised me most was how much it benefited them too. Watching me take care of myself sparked something — they wanted to join in. They mimicked the way I scrubbed my arms, copied how I poured in bath salts, and delighted in the little rituals. Bath time became less about “getting clean” and more about teaching that caring for your body can be fun, soothing, and something to look forward to.

Now, our evenings are filled with splashes, giggles, and little moments of self-care we share together. And while I still treasure the occasional quiet bath on my own, I’ve realised that feeling nourished doesn’t always have to mean being alone. Sometimes, it looks like finding a ritual you love — and bringing someone you love into it.

If you’d like to make shared bath times feel special, here are a few simple things that have helped me.

1. Keep it playful and let your child splash, play with bubbles, or bring a toy or two.
2. Add small rituals like bath salts, scrubs, or a gentle oil that they can copy in their own way.
3. Set the mood by dimming the lights or putting on calming music to shift the atmosphere. I found a beautiful nebula projector light which adds to the sensory feel. 
4. Focus on connection rather than perfection, it doesn’t have to look like a spa night to be valuable. And whenever you can, choose natural, gentle products you can both enjoy so it feels easy and safe.
5. Get out 5 minutes before them so you have time to moisturise and get dressed. 

For a while, I thought I had to wait until I had the time, space, and silence to really enjoy a bath. 

But sharing that time with my child showed me something different: self-care doesn’t always have to be separate. Sometimes it can be shared, messy, and full of giggles and still just as nourishing.

It’s a reminder that rituals aren’t about perfection, they’re about presence. And those small, intentional pauses we carve out — even in the chaos — are often the ones that stay with us the longest.