For some strange reason, when my children were little, the bathroom seemed to be one of their favorite places to play. It didn’t matter if they had friends over or it was just one or two of them, inevitably they would end up in the bathroom—floating toys in the sink, making movies in the dark, or just generally acting squirrely—from the time they were tiny, the bathroom was THE place to be.
I swear that when my kids were in early middle school, they filmed a few home-made video movies where the “scary action” took place in the bathroom. By this time, however, I was quite used to the appeal of that small room even if I have never understood it. Sure, I understand how bath time can be great fun for the average toddler and preschooler, but once a child gets past those ages, I have to share that I just don’t see what the appeal of messing around in the bathroom is. I have thought about it, however, over the years and I have come up with a few suggestions for what the whole “thing” about the bathroom and growing children might be.
Water, towels, a small, cramped room—I think that is part of it. I also think that having a mirror or two where they can watch themselves do all sorts of antics plays into the appeal of the bathroom too. Plus, the bathroom does have all those cool bottles and tubes and brushes and such that can entertain a reasonably-creative child for quite some time. Perhaps there is some mystique to the bathroom as well since I was constantly saying, “The bathroom is not a play room!” How could a tiny, dark, mysterious place with all those gadgets (and a mirror to watch yourself do whatever you do) NOT be a play room?!