Bath Time *possibly triggering

[Calf]

A question for parents out there.

I have a gorgeous three year old little girl, normally we share a bath.

My scars from years ago have all faded and she's never noticed them but will ask if I have a bruise or something how it happened.

However, I have this week relapsed and have fresh cuts on my leg. Should I still bathe with her as normal and try to think of an excuse, or just let her go in the bath herself?

Normally I believe in being honest and open if asked a question, but I don't think a three year old is quite ready to understand 'sometimes daddy hurts himself as a coping mechanism' and feel it may damage her.

Does anyone have any similar experience or advice?

[ajrocks]

I have the same but my son is 7 so i don't bath with him and in the past he's seen the scars on top of my legs which are v faded but has never asked however with new ones (i'm having a bad time too so understand the issue you have with that) I've simply hidden it as in I get changed in a diff room and if he bursts in on me in the bath or something I just put my hands over my legs or turn so he can't see because theirs only so many times i could get away with saying i accidently ran into something! (sounds lame i know but it was only thing I could think of at the time and he accepted that!)
I think yeah you will run out of excuses so its either don't bath with her for a while (which would be a shame) or maybe can you wear shorts or something? are they in a place you could get clothing over?
I know how tough it is and I think you're right this is one of those occasions that bending the truth or hiding it would probably be a better plan.
sorry if thats no help,thats just what i do but you may find a better solution o don't know? take care

[Calf]

I was thinking I could put a bandage over and fein a sprained/pulled muscle.

[ajrocks]

That sounds like an idea :)

[Slip]

Hey - I have a 3 year old who has asked of faded scars if I've hurt myself & my answer has always been "a long time ago..."
of fresh scars I had a few months ago when he asked 'what is that" I simply replied that "I had hurt myself".
It is the worst thing in the world to have to do because you are not telling the truth, but you are not lying either - I hurt myself...
I didn't hide them from him because I didn't want to hide it from him, at the end of the day - most days - he is the reason I don't hurt myself more & having to explain to him that I had hurt myself made me feel the shame far more vividly then if I had hid it & that helps me keep the cutting to the very minimal required for survival... xxx

[Calf]

Thanks Slip and ajrocks it's important and comforting to know that people have the same (or similar) issues.

Sometimes I feel that it makes me an irresponsible parent or that that's at least how others will perceive it, and as something one should have 'grown out of' by now.