While I understand that bathroom floors are intended to take the abuse of the bathroom, there is something about large puddles on the bathroom floor that makes me crazy. I am not talking about what happens after the person leaves the shower, or perhaps the result of a spill of something, I am talking about my daughter who refused to stop splashing while she is in the bathtub. I do not know if I would be angry if it were my house, but I understand that my landlord may not assess the damage caused by water that is happening.
It seems that my daughter has a memory block when it comes to following directions. I know that many parents say the same thing, and I know this is not just my daughter. I told her repeatedly that she can not splash water on the bathroom floor while she’s taking a bath. Of course, I am fully aware that some splashing may occur, but my daughter makes a huge mess. Whenever she takes a bath, the bathroom floors end up being soaked. She is five years, and there is absolutely no reason why I should have to sit in the bathroom with her to monitor her every move. Apparently, however, this could be something that I MUST do.
I realize she is not old enough to understand what water can do to the bathroom floors. Yes, we have on our bathroom linoleum floors, which protect the wood below the water. However, the floor was not installed, as it should have been, and part of the water sheds on the ground, seeping down under the linoleum. No matter how many times I explained to her why she can not splash so she continues to act as if it was something new and exciting. I often wonder if she is really that resistant to age five.
My husband suggested that if I act as if the water in the bathroom floors meant nothing, she would soon stop. Although this may be true with some children, this does not work with my daughter. I tried to be calm and tried to ignore certain situations, hoping they will correct, but it’s never worked for her. It simply does what it wants, and that includes the bathroom floor floods every time she takes a bath.
So how do I solve my problem? You’ll surely agree that a little housekeeping must be in order. If I can’t control my five-yerar old, then I better do something to keep the bathroom dry and clean as well as free from mess and probable accident. Having a handy floor map near the bathroom area will seem proper so that I can easily wipe and dry whatever my child messes…
But then, I am still worried about the long-term effect of having water puddles in my house. The fact that the house isn’t newly constructed, I still wonder at night what the effect will be. I wouldn’t like to wake up one bright morning with the me and my family on the first floor because the top floors have collapsed! Do you have any suggestion?