I agree with Barbara that a night time bath routine should be explored. My kids had fun playing with tub toys and getting warm and cozy in their pajamas, knowing that a story and snuggle in bed was right around the corner. If this family with the four year old does not have a bathtub, they could try evening showers or putting a big pot full of warm water, soap and a sponge in the shower stall and bathing him that way. If it is possible to install a hand held detachable shower head, that would allow the boy to have some control over rinsing himself off and showers might go over better.

I totally agree with Barbara. My son wouldn't get in the shower until he was six years old. What's the big deal? If there isn't time for a bath in the morning because the adults need to be in the tub/shower stall combo, then he should have his bath at night. Most parents I know do "tubby time" as part of the bedtime routine for several reasons: it helps with wind down, it does help establish a routine, and there isn't time for one in the morning. Oh, and it gets the kid clean from daytime adventures, too.

My child (soon to be 5 years old) is the exact opposite. He has always hated tubbies. He is a shower kid and has been since he was 2. I know that is not typically the case though. Some like showers, others prefer tubby time. I am a big fan of night time tubby time. Go get him some toys that he can only play with at tubby time...no where else. Let him splash around (within reason of course).

Give that kid a bath..He's 4 years old. If he's like my son he might hate getting in but he also hates getting out. It's an opportunity for him to play on his own for a bit and have some fun. You can sit on a stool or (toilet) to supervise and relax too. I love tubby time for that reason sometimes after a long day. I've even gotten out an emery board and had time to file my finger nails which led to some curiosity. It helped cut down on the nail trimming tantrums that used to happen.

I had the same thought: Why is a 4-y/o being given a shower in the morning anyway?! Obviously, if there's no tub that's one thing...but even then, there are plenty of work-arounds as other posters have noted.

My 3.5 y/o will only tolerate a shower just after the beach - as long as I block most of the water pelting down on her with my own body. But the joy for her of a bathing routine comes from a tepid bath with her toys, her lavendar soap, and knowing snuggly jammies, Caillou, and stories are just around the corner.

Besides, as Barbara noted, kids are filthy at the end of the day, so if he's going to bed dirty, he's probably not feeling so awesome about things as it is.

Different things work for different families. My kids complain about baths or showers, and then they whine when they have to get out because they enjoy the hot water (and toys for the little one). Both of them could take showers at 3, so it really was always a matter of their preference at the moment and what we had time to fit in.

But do really agree that bathing should be done at end of day for kids. Who knows what dirt and germs they've picked up over the course of the day, and the scheduling works out for the whole family--adults in the morning and kids at night--so there's always enough hot water.