I’m a proud ‘unsanitary’ mom — here’s why my 6 kids bathe just twice a week

Sharon Johnson
Sharon Johnson, a Utah mother of six, confessed her children bathe twice a week, which has many people concerned over the lack of hygiene.

This unorthodox mom is defending her fresh take on keeping her kids clean.

Sharon Johnson, a Utah mother of six, confessed her children bathe twice a week, which has many people concerned over the lack of hygiene.

“Bath and shower days are Sunday and Wednesday if you need a bath in between that then absolutely but otherwise that’s good enough,” Johnson, also known as @Sharon.a.life on TikTok, said in the viral clip posted on Feb. 2 with over 8.2 million views.

“I just think it’s odd, quite frankly, that people care so deeply about other people’s bathing habits, especially a complete stranger on the internet,” Johnson told The Post.

Many people were disgusted with Johnson’s bathing schedule.

“How often are they allowed to brush their teeth? Once a week?” one viewer mocked.

“Whole household is ripe on that bathing schedule,” joked another.

“Very unsanitary … it should be a mandatory thing to take a shower at least once a day,” one scolded.

Sharon Johnson, a Utah mother of six, confessed her children bathe twice a week. Sharon.a.life/TikTok
Sharon Johnson, a Utah mother of six, confessed her children bathe twice a week. Sharon.a.life/TikTok

The mother of six children ages 4 to 13 years old created a video series responding to the backlash, titled “Bath Gate 2024.”

In one follow-up video, the content creator, who focuses on mental health and motherhood, clarified her reasoning behind the shower guidelines.

“We live in an incredibly dry climate and all of my kids have really sensitive skin,” Johnson said. “If they showered every single day, their skin would be so incredibly raw.”

She admitted that lotion doesn’t help her children’s skin conditions, but they are always allowed to take more showers if needed or use other hygiene techniques to freshen up.

“The older kids are preteens and teens and shower more frequently on their own. I’m not managing their showers, they are more than capable of taking care of their hygiene on their own.”

Johnson doesn’t shower her kids often due to their dry skin. Petro – stock.adobe.com
Johnson doesn’t shower her kids often due to their dry skin. Petro – stock.adobe.com

The American Academy of Dermatology Association has said that children between the ages of 6 and 11 can bathe daily, but it’s not required. Rather, they must shower “at least once or twice a week” and when dirty, sweaty or have body odor.

“Bathing habits are incredibly personal,” Johnson said. “You never know how someone else’s body reacts to soaps, frequent water, their health issues, understand the climate they live in, or what their personal doctors are recommending to them.”

Johnson chooses specific days of the week for bath time because Wednesday is mid-week, and Sunday is when the family attends church. The shower guidelines help the busy mom stay organized with her day-to-day schedule.

“I am not limiting their baths or telling them they can’t bathe on other days. My kids get plenty of bath days, they just always have to bathe those two days,” she added.

The content creator lives by a schedule to keep her household of eight running smoothly. Sharon.a.life/TikTok
The content creator lives by a schedule to keep her household of eight running smoothly. Sharon.a.life/TikTok

Although she has faced backlash for her hygiene routine, some parents relate to Johnson’s shower habits.

“My two kids since birth have gotten on average 1-2 baths a week. I’m so with you!” wrote one of her supporters.

“My son has eczema and his pediatrician recommended not giving him a bath unless absolutely necessary because it dries out his skin!” another agreed.

The mother of six remains unbothered by the naysayers and appreciates those who support her parenting method.

“Reading all of the comments, the ones in support and against our bathing habits, has me wildly fascinated,” Johnson revealed.

“It’s [intriguing] to see the conversation play out and also a little disappointing that so many people can’t fathom that not everyone in the world does things the same way.”