Did I Do The Wrong Thing By Not Bathing My Friend’s Autistic Child?

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.

Unexpectedly watching autistic child overnight during medical emergency

A parent’s anger over a sweaty, unbathed autistic child.

Compassionate approach to bathing autistic child with no tub.

Navigating Autism and friendships is tricky.

A heartwarming moment spent with an autistic child ❤️

Navigating social norms with autistic children – AITA judgment call.

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 ☺️

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

NTA for not bathing friend’s autistic child, friend is an a**hole for ranting on social media about it.

Friend’s overreaction to missed bath causes social media rant. NTA.

Clean night, pull-ups, and wiped bottom. NTA for not bathing.

Bathing someone else’s child can be a sensitive issue

NTA for not bathing friend’s autistic child. Child sounds sweet.

Friend gets upset over child not having a shower

You did the right thing considering his needs ✅

Cleaning an autistic child with baby wipes. NTA

Being sensitive to a child’s needs is not wrong . The parent should be grateful.

Being a good friend doesn’t always mean being a doormat ‍♀️

Babysitter refuses to bathe friend’s autistic child, sparks controversy.

Babysitting for free with no notice? You’re golden! ✨

Friend overreacts to child’s lack of bath, OP not at fault

OP explains why they didn’t bathe their friend’s autistic child

Understanding the challenges of bathing an autistic child.

Skipping a bath is NTA, trauma is worse

Friend disrespects and publicly shames babysitter for not bathing child

You were NTA for not bathing your friend’s autistic child

Friend expects free babysitting and insults you on social media? ‍♀️

NTA for not bathing friend’s child, but reconsider doing favors

Choosing the right battles: NTA for not bathing autistic child

Caring for a child with autism can be challenging. You did the best you could, NTA

Autistic Redditor approves: NTA, you made the child comfortable

Unprepared for unexpected overnight, NTA for not bathing child

Friend’s ungrateful behavior leads to end of friendship. ‍♀️

Understanding and empathy can go a long way.

Helpful redditor defends decision to not bathe autistic child

Friend expects bath for autistic child, gets shower, YTA.

Confused friend refuses to bathe autistic child. NTA.

Offering free emergency babysitting doesn’t mean accepting abuse

Understanding and empathetic response to NTA comment

Being a good friend and host, you did your best. #NTA

Compassionate response to ungrateful friend’s unreasonable request

Respecting boundaries and prioritizing safety.

Being a good friend sometimes means making tough decisions

Helpful NTA friend, but entitled mother needs to apologize

You were NTA for not bathing your friend’s autistic child.

Supportive response to not bathing friend’s autistic child.

Standing up for a child’s fear of showers.

You helped out in a tough situation, NTA!

Understanding and accommodating children with autism is important ❤️

Gratefulness over criticism. NTA for not bathing.

Friend’s reaction to reasonable favor: NTA, she is.

Supportive comment section with NTA verdict and shocked reaction

Handling an autistic child’s bathing sensitivities, NTA wins

Kind gesture to babysit, washcloth cleaning is acceptable. NTA.

Friend’s ungratefulness after favor, NTA for not bathing child ‍♀️

Supportive reply to a difficult situation with helpful advice ❤️

One night doesn’t make a filthy child #NTA

Navigating a tricky situation with an autistic child

A heartwarming gesture of care and kindness

Mother of autistic child defends OP’s decision not to bathe.

Friend expects free babysitting and complains about it online

Setting boundaries is important. NTA did the right thing

You did a good deed, don’t let her rant bring you down