If you are a parent to multiple children, you are likely familiar with the challenges of juggling the schedules of several young individuals, leaving little room for anything beyond essential tasks. Recently, a mother of six sparked controversy on TikTok by revealing her family’s practice of having designated bath and shower days on Sundays and Wednesdays to streamline their routine.
Sharon Johnson, a resident of Utah, is the mother of six children aged 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 13. In her TikTok videos, she shared insights into how she manages her bustling household, which includes regulating screen time to two hours per week, monitoring devices, prohibiting sleepovers, assigning chores, delaying cell phone usage until age 12, among other strategies.
The aspect that garnered significant attention and debate among viewers was Johnson’s disclosure that her children bathe or shower specifically on Sundays and Wednesdays, with flexibility for additional baths if necessary. She justified this approach by citing the dry climate of Utah and the sensitive skin conditions of her kids, highlighting that daily bathing could harm their skin. Additionally, the practicality of sharing one bathroom among eight family members factored into their structured bathing schedule.
While the controversy dubbed “Bath Gate 2024” unfolded online, Johnson defended her stance by acknowledging the cultural differences and environmental factors that influence personal hygiene practices. She emphasized the need for understanding and respecting diverse perspectives, especially in a digital landscape often devoid of nuance.
Johnson’s viral TikTok shed light on the complexity of individual preferences and regional variations in hygiene routines, challenging societal norms and prompting reflections on privilege, race, and societal expectations regarding cleanliness. Ultimately, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and recognizing that one size does not fit all in matters as personal as hygiene practices.