A woman agreed to watch her friend's child overnight when the friend's father had a medical emergency. The friend's son, who is autistic, was terrified of showers, so the woman cleaned him with baby wipes and a warm washcloth instead. The next day, the friend was angry that her son hadn't been bathed and accused the woman of not being sensitive to the needs of autistic children. The woman is now wondering if she was in the wrong. Read on to find out more about this delicate situation.
Did I Do The Wrong Thing By Not Bathing My Friend's Autistic Child?
Shutterstock | 4187011
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Babysitting an autistic child: Baby wipes or shower?
Babysitting an autistic child can be challenging, especially when it comes to their daily routines. A woman agreed to watch her friend's autistic child overnight and opted to clean him with baby wipes and a warm washcloth instead of showering him, knowing he was terrified of showers. However, when the child's mother came to pick him up, she was livid that he hadn't been bathed and accused the woman of messing up his bedtime routine. The woman felt she did the best she could in the circumstances, but the mother's reaction left her wondering if she did the wrong thing. In this post, we explore the challenges of babysitting an autistic child and the different approaches caregivers can take to ensure the child's needs are met. Read on for a thought-provoking discussion on this topic.
OP is praised for accommodating an autistic child and avoiding a meltdown ☺️
cschmidtusa | cschmidtusa
NTA. Taking care of someone else's child overnight is a favor. Skipping a bath for one night is no big deal. Some people just need to learn gratitude 🙄
Right-Arm-619 | Right-Arm-619
NTA for not bathing friend's autistic child, friend is an a**hole for ranting on social media about it.
Mr_Ham_Man80 | Mr_Ham_Man80
Friend's overreaction to missed bath causes social media rant. NTA.
GreekAmericanDom | GreekAmericanDom
Clean night, pull-ups, and wiped bottom. NTA for not bathing.
princessp0rkchop | princessp0rkchop
Bathing someone else's child can be a sensitive issue 😬
Vulpix-Rawr | Vulpix-Rawr
NTA for not bathing friend's autistic child. Child sounds sweet.
calaakla | calaakla
Friend gets upset over child not having a shower 😳
jinxdrain | jinxdrain
You did the right thing considering his needs 🧼✅
PoisonIvyNumberFivey | PoisonIvyNumberFivey
Cleaning an autistic child with baby wipes. NTA 👍
[deleted] | [deleted]
Being sensitive to a child's needs is not wrong 👍👏. The parent should be grateful.
criminy420 | criminy420
Being a good friend doesn't always mean being a doormat 🙅♀️
Pharmacienne123 | Pharmacienne123
Babysitter refuses to bathe friend's autistic child, sparks controversy.
Forsaken-Knowledge12 | Forsaken-Knowledge12
Babysitting for free with no notice? You're golden! ✨
theamazinglula | theamazinglula
Friend overreacts to child's lack of bath, OP not at fault 😌
1955photo | 1955photo
OP explains why they didn't bathe their friend's autistic child 💦
AugustBabyLEO | AugustBabyLEO
Understanding the challenges of bathing an autistic child. 💦
Fritemare | Fritemare
Skipping a bath is NTA, trauma is worse 🙌
Suspicious_Safety_45 | Suspicious_Safety_45
Friend disrespects and publicly shames babysitter for not bathing child 💔
SaikaTheCasual | SaikaTheCasual
You were NTA for not bathing your friend's autistic child 😌
Mamertine | Mamertine
Friend expects free babysitting and insults you on social media? 🙅♀️
ShadAppNKissMe | ShadAppNKissMe
NTA for not bathing friend's child, but reconsider doing favors 😊
WutRTatersPreciousss | WutRTatersPreciousss
Choosing the right battles: NTA for not bathing autistic child 👍
SHarks_blade | SHarks_blade
Caring for a child with autism can be challenging. You did the best you could, NTA 🤗
whatsername235 | whatsername235
Autistic Redditor approves: NTA, you made the child comfortable 👍
byterffly | byterffly
Unprepared for unexpected overnight, NTA for not bathing child 🛀
C_Majuscula | C_Majuscula
Friend's ungrateful behavior leads to end of friendship. 🤷♀️
LoveBeach8 | LoveBeach8
Understanding and empathy can go a long way. 💜
Fernoohlalaa | Fernoohlalaa
Helpful redditor defends decision to not bathe autistic child 👍
Direct-Plum-3558 | Direct-Plum-3558
Friend expects bath for autistic child, gets shower, YTA.
strangr55 | strangr55
Confused friend refuses to bathe autistic child. NTA.
BriefHorror | BriefHorror
Offering free emergency babysitting doesn't mean accepting abuse 💪
Minimum_Reference_73 | Minimum_Reference_73
Understanding and empathetic response to NTA comment 🧡
rantsofrebellion | rantsofrebellion
Being a good friend and host, you did your best. #NTA 🙌
animalia80 | animalia80
Compassionate response to ungrateful friend's unreasonable request 🤝
ToughGodzilla | ToughGodzilla
Respecting boundaries and prioritizing safety. 🙌
PaddlingDingo | PaddlingDingo
Being a good friend sometimes means making tough decisions 💪👍
SadderOlderWiser | SadderOlderWiser
Helpful NTA friend, but entitled mother needs to apologize 🙄
WrightOff | WrightOff
You were NTA for not bathing your friend's autistic child.
TheUtopianCat | TheUtopianCat
Supportive response to not bathing friend's autistic child.
jocelina | jocelina
Standing up for a child's fear of showers. 🚿
gwacemom | gwacemom
You helped out in a tough situation, NTA! 🙌
ginger3392 | ginger3392
Understanding and accommodating children with autism is important ❤️
DustOfTheDesert | DustOfTheDesert
Gratefulness over criticism. 🙏 NTA for not bathing.
[deleted] | [deleted]
Friend's reaction to reasonable favor: NTA, she is.
DelurkingtoComment | DelurkingtoComment
Supportive comment section with NTA verdict and shocked reaction 😱
poochonmom | poochonmom
Handling an autistic child's bathing sensitivities, NTA wins 🎉
shadow-foxe | shadow-foxe
Kind gesture to babysit, washcloth cleaning is acceptable. NTA.
TCTX73 | TCTX73
Friend's ungratefulness after favor, NTA for not bathing child 🤷♀️
ThreatLvlMidnight01 | ThreatLvlMidnight01
Supportive reply to a difficult situation with helpful advice ❤️
Crazyhellga | Crazyhellga
One night doesn't make a filthy child 💩 #NTA
angelbuttons77 | angelbuttons77
Navigating a tricky situation with an autistic child 👍
NaturesVividPictures | NaturesVividPictures
A heartwarming gesture of care and kindness 🤗
CoastalCerulean | CoastalCerulean
Mother of autistic child defends OP's decision not to bathe.
cannaquart | cannaquart
Friend expects free babysitting and complains about it online 😒
UnicornsNeedLove2 | UnicornsNeedLove2
Setting boundaries is important. NTA did the right thing 👍
[deleted] | [deleted]
You did a good deed, don't let her rant bring you down 😊
Creepy-Bag-5913 | Creepy-Bag-5913
