Childhood Dreams

Who hasn’t ever dreamed of gliding gently down a slide and into a big pool? Of hanging gardens, hammocks and swings, of an air mattress floating on blue water? And all without stepping foot outside the front door! If Pippi Longstocking can live in Villa Villekulla with a horse, why not?

Sadly, such dreams are but shadows. And in the harsh light of day, even perfectly normal bathrooms with equipment specifically for children – perhaps a low washbasin and a small toilet – are still very much the exception. But what does a child’s dream bathroom actually look like? The answer is often surprising:

It’s only natural for children to want to be part of things, which is why it doesn’t really bother them if they don’t have the privilege of their own bathroom (let alone one with a slide, pirate ship, crow’s nest and swing). On the other hand, however, they do want to have their own territory. Not necessarily in the kitchen, but very definitely in the bathroom! Because children have a very pronounced sense of what constitutes privacy, even if doesn’t always coincide with adults’ views on the matter. Closing the bathroom door, for example, is far less important to most children than having their own towel or the colour of their toothbrush. One seven-year-old boy’s spontaneous answer as to what he would like in the bathroom revolves around having his own shelf where he could keep everything that’s important to him (even – and especially – in the bathroom): cuddly toys, books, toys, toothpaste, brushes and delicious-smelling soaps, lotions and creams. Plus a few card games, drawing stuff and a games console. Cool!

Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing children dread more in the bathroom than boredom. Boredom when they’re cleaning their teeth, boredom on the loo if it takes a bit longer than usual, boredom in the bathtub (hard to imagine!) because there’s no plastic beaker, ball or pony in reach.

That’s why, in their dream bathroom, there are steps and tabletops under the washbasin that glide out at the push of the button, as well as room under the toilet for stools or retractable tables for playing and drawing. There are secret compartments in the walls and built-in cabinets, where rolls of toilet paper are thrown in at the top and reappear at the bottom next to the toilet seat in conveniently sized portions. With a pull on a secret lever, floor-to-ceiling glass doors glide into place, sealing off the bath or shower so that nobody can complain when the water splashes all the way up to the ceiling. A big mirror would be good too – one that reveals the effect facial expressions, poses and clowning around have on other people. What could be more fun than growling, winking and laughing at yourself?

Having their own special corners and things in the bathroom doesn’t just take children’s minds off their fears, it strengthens their sense of independence and belonging as well. Because a toothbrush is a badge that identifies everyone who uses the bathroom as a member of the family. That applies to the little partners we share our lives with just as much as to the adult ones.

On the other hand, children of all ages find it fascinating to watch the adults go about their routines, observe themselves perform personal hygiene activities and scrutinise their own reflection. In the bathroom, they adjust both their image of their parents and the way they see themselves.