There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not amazed at the amazing odors that emanate from smelly socks, stinky feet, breath, body odor and the constant need for reminders on good hygiene.
From the time our children were infants, we taught them to brush, regularly bathed them, washed their hair, washed their clothes, brushed their teeth. Part of teaching our growing children is teaching them proper habits. I get so frustrated thinking it should be common sense at this age, especially for my tween. However, it’s a whole different world for them and let’s be honest, they aren’t even aware of odors like we are.
I have had to create a chart for each of my children of what needs to be done…daily!!! I try to let them be responsible, however, they are quick to say that they don’t care if they skip a step, no one would care. I do. Perhaps I have an overly sensitive olfactory system, but this laissez-fare attitude needs to stop! Thankfully, in a conversation with a friend, I discovered my children are not alone and neither am I. Many parents struggle with having their children carry through with hygiene tasks.
Change your strategies. You want your child to wash her hands for 15 seconds. It’s hard enough to get an adult to do this, let alone a child, so here’s the trick: Ask your child to sing the Happy Birthday song. It takes about seven seconds to sing it, so during the first round they can be scrubbing; during the second they can be rinsing. Also show kids how to lather up correctly. The right technique involves rubbing hands thoroughly on both sides, as well as get in between fingers and rub the tips of fingers.
Tricks and treats can work! A spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry came up with this strategy when his oldest child was a toddler and began refusing to brush her teeth. What did he and his wife do? They sang and danced in the bathroom, knowing that their daughter would walk by soon. When she did, she asked what they were doing. When they said they were brushing each other’s teeth, she ran away. She came back a few minutes later to find them doing the same thing, and she said she wanted to try that. Dr. Hanna replied: “Oh, you’re too little. You have to be a big person. You can’t do this.” And he closed the door. His daughter then opened the door, and said she wanted to brush too. “So we got her a toothbrush, and she brushed my teeth, and I brushed hers. Then she brushed my wife’s teeth, and my wife brushed mine,” says Dr. Hanna. “The next day, my daughter was fine.”
What are some of your tried and true tips on teaching hygiene?
Tags: children, chores, health, helping kids brush their teeth, helping kids remember to maintin good hygiene, Kristen Paulsen, Motherhood, onslow memorial hospital, parenting, stinky feet and tweens, teaching kids about hygiene, tweens and bad hygiene
