Do your kids really wash their hands after the bathroom?

Question

I was baby sitting a 6 year old girl yesterday. I could tell that she wasn't washing her hand after the bathroom. I would just remind her and she would say "oh right" and run back in and do it.

When he mom picked her up I just mentioned everything went well but she needs a reminder to wash her hands. Mom just said, in front of kid, "oh that's ok kids never wash their hands"

Now is that true? I know my mom instilled hand washing in my brain very early and my step sisters kid is very good about it. Are we actually the ones who are against the norm here? Or does this mom need to step up a little more?

Answer 1

HA HA! i know i dont wash my hands...

after i pee...

if i do a number 2 then i do!

but you know, most lads are like that, i didnt think girls where!!

but even so, the mother needs to step up and insist that she does. it should be a reflex with people!

Answer 2

Ew! My kids wash after they go to the bathroom, play outside, touch anything gross! Hand washing is the number one way to prevent illness. That is grody.

Answer 3

"and speaking of my colon, I want you to know that I don't automatically wash my hands every time I go to the bathroom. Can you deal with that? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. You know when I wash my hands? When I S**t on them! Thats the only time. And you know how often that happens? Tops- tops- two, three times a week. Maybe a little more frequently over the holidays. You know what I mean?"

~George Carlin

I wash my sons hands when they're dirty. hes not using the potty quite yet, but i will encourage him to wash his hands. I do think that when you are out in a public restroom its important, but other than that I dont really worry about it.

her mom doesn't have to do a thing, its her kid. i grew up fine, and i rarely washed my hands. i used to suck on my fingers for the flavor. over washing your hands or sanitizing everything is worse in the long run. Your body needs germs to practice on.  

Answer 4

My son usually won't do it unless I remind him. He's 5. It's normal for kids to forget. I hope she sends her back in there to wash them, though. That's just gross if she lets it go...  

Answer 5

I had always washed my hands as a kid, thanks to my mom. (i still do of course).  

Answer 6

If she was 4 then ok, because sometimes they can't reach the sink and its easier to just use hand sanitizer, you know.  But at 6, she should be washing her hands after the bathroom, but they still need reminders.  I'm not a psycho about my 7 year old washing her hands.  But it's been about a year and now she'll do it automatically *most* times.  If I know she did #2, I'll ask her if she washed her hands, and more than 1/2 the time she did, and the other times she'll say no I forgot and go do it.

They just need reminders and apparently her mom isn't getting her in the habit of doing it.

Answer 7

i think chr\ildren should wash their hands.

because they always bite their fingernails and put their fingers in their mouth.

and lord knows what they touched.

Answer 8

i believe a child should wash hands after going the toilet but and its a big BUT ... i think kids tend to lie. don't do it or just wet the bathroom use it as a game lol

more important i feel,, is to make sure she always washes her hands before dinner or tea

i don't think children do wash hands after toilet to be honest inless on a visit to nans lol

Answer 9

That mom is gross.

you should always wash your hands when you come from the bathroom.  It should be a reflex.

Answer 10

put up a camera at the sink to see

Answer 11

Washing hands after going to the bathroom and before eating and after playing outside and such is taught, and must be followed up on by a parent to turn it into a good habit.  Sure, kids forget and need reminders, but kids also lie - that doesn't mean you condone it by not diciplining them when they do.  You are not against the norm - the mother of that child is and her complacency on the topic is not one I agree with personally.

Answer 12

Half the time my kids forget, but i always remind them if i catch them escaping the bathroom without washing their hands. They have went to daycare since they were babies and were taght from the time they were in diapers to wash hands after every diaper change or trip to the bathroom

Answer 13

I think that kids should really wash their hands after going to the washroom because it's nt good for them if they get germs on their hands and they eat them.

I don't think that that mom is really clean, it's bad for the child.  Tell the kid that you're baby-sitting that washing your hands are good for you, you won't get sic that means no more medicines, little kids always believe older people, don't listen to the nasty mother. =D

Answer 14

I've made sure to teach my kids to be diligent about their bathroom hygiene. It took some time, but with consistency, they got the hang of it. Mine are teens now and always wash their hands after using the bathroom.

That said, I wouldn't worry too much about the little girl. Children often forget to wash their hands and may need to be reminded. What astonishes me, are the number of adults who don't wash their hands after using the public bathroom!

Answer 15

I never touch the kids of fat people. They usually smell like stale potato chips and have greasy uncombed hair. I can just imagine how dirty their hands are.

Answer 16

Oh i try to get my kids to do it.For some reason they do it everytime we are at a public restroom but I know that they don't do it everytime at home.

Answer 17

I'm a teacher. A lot of kids do wash their hands.  Some of them make a big game out of the bubbles from the soap and a lot of them just rush off to do what ever they want next and don't wash.  The mom needs to make it a routine if she wants teach her child hygiene.  I wouldn't make a big deal out of informing the child's mom.  I'd just remind the girl as you've done. Children do get used to different expectations in different places.  

Answer 18

no that mom has to step up. my and my 2 soblings always wash our hands and it is insisted at our school too! so i hope i could help with that answer! :)

Answer 19

i dont wash my hands.. alot

Answer 20

the mom is a dirty @$#$

Answer 21

My 2 yr old will not leave the bathroom unless she washes her hands, I think she's a little obsessive really, but ppl really need to teach there kids to wash there hands!!!

Answer 22

Yea, that mom needs to step it up a bit more...

Repetition is what children need, when talking about these issues.

That same mother, probably doesn't make her kids brush their teeth either!

Answer 23

I'm potty training my 2 yr. old and 4 yr. old boys... So, whenever any of them use the potty I have them BOTH wash their hands... Since sometimes I'm not sure who did what when!  It's a good habit to get into....

I would say it could be true if the parents didn't  monitor the children after using the toilet.  Or if sometimes it's NOT convenient.. I also have my children wash their hands with me when I wash my hands after I change diapers.... Before/After breakfast, lunch and dinner.... We spend a lot of times washing our hands!  So, I hope that my children know how important it is when I'm around or when I'm NOT.... I mean that's how children get sick in daycare,schools and out in public becasue they aren't properly washing their hands.  

Answer 24

Yes, kids should ALWAYS wash their hands no matter what age.  It is very unsanitary if their hands are full of germs and go eat.  Encourage her mom to make her wash hands after bathroom or she is encouraging bad habits.  

Answer 25

it depends on the parents.... some mothers think its ok not to wash... sensible mothers ensure there children are hygenic!!! my tap makes a loud noise when its run so i always know if my nephews and nieces have washed!!! failing washing.. hand gel is always an option kids seem to find it fun putting a splodge in the hands and squshing there hands together... fun and clean all in one :)

Answer 26

"Kids never wash their hands". That's why so many kids get sick. My son is going to be 4 on Sunday and I insist that he washes his hands, or at least uses the instant hand sanitizer. That's gross. I am really a stickler about it because I have been in food service for over 20 years and am constantly washing my hands.  

Answer 27

My 3 year old ALWAYS washes his hands, with my help. That is disgusting and I hate it when parents take that lazy attitude. It is people who don't wash their hands and spread their S**t germs everywhere for the rest of us to touch and maybe end up ingesting!!

***Guys: you need to realize that when u pee and touch the toilet to flush it you are STILL getting p**p germs on your hands...and everywhere else!!