Kids and Bathroom/handwashing Hygiene

I'd just like to throw this out there... because hand-washing IS really important. Especially this season. BUT as a society we've gotten a little nuts with the whole germ thing, to the extent that we're not allowing our bodies to build up immunities the way that we should. All of this hand-sanitizing (although certainly this season if you can't wash hands, then this is a good alternative) and anti-bacterial everything is actually back-firing b/c viruses are getting tougher and tougher. I guess my overall point here is that teaching our kids to wash their hands is expected and necessary. But teaching them to wash like surgeons? I think that's overkill. I'm not going to chase my kids around everywhere worrying about germs all day long, hosing them down with lysol and gopping them up with hand-sanitizer. LOL. We've got to allow our bodies to build up a natural resistance to what's out there : ) Not all bacteria is BAD bacteria.

I've lived all my 34 years washing my hands with soap and water and touching th sink handles and bathroom door handles with my bare hands! I also (gasp) sit directly on the toilet seat unless it looks really gross. I've never caught anything more than a seasonal cold and occasionally the flu. I think its necessary to teach kids to wash with warm water and soap and to rub their hands together. I don't see a point in anything more. The rest is just instilling a paranoia that is unnecessary. In the end they could worry themselves sick! Keep teaching to wash after using the bathroom. They'll catch on!

I'm with Carolyn. Obviously afte you use the bathroom, you wash your hands and if you are just dirty but no, I don't wash my kids hands all day long. They are fine. I just don't want them to become too obsessed and worried about germs. I did hear that singing the ABC's was a good one to do while washing hands because it takes that long to truly get the germs off.

M.,

I agree that teaching had washing is important. To make our sessions last longer than a quick rinse, we have our kids sing the alphabet twice. Also, we saw/heard a song in a video talking about shower/tub washing that was simply - top, top, bottom, bottom, middle, middle, middle! My kids laugh when they wash while singing. If your daughter is older maybe she can try to sing the alphabet backwards or count backwards from 100 or sing "On Top of Spaghetti"? Music works for our kids.

Good luck.

well do the washie washie scrubb scrubb song and let her no if she dont flush before washing the germs that she can get

M.

I realize that you are in Chicago but I thought I would mention it. As a community service, Central DuPage Hospital allows people to check out a handwashing kit (free of charge) that contains a black light. It is a good educational tool on how to properly wash away those hidden germs. We had alot of fun with the kit. I believe my children now have a better understanding of the importance of handwashing and developed better techniques as a result. A good rainy day activity.

Maybe a nearby hospital has something similiar. Check with the Community Education Department.

Another idea if you can't find a kit is to cover their hands with lotion/oil and then sprinkle with cinnamon to illustrate *germs*. Wash until the *germs* are gone.

Hope that helps!