Poll: Have you taught your kids how to wash their hands?

[JeffTaylor1985]

I know it might seem like a funny question to ask, but with the flu bug going around I'm curious -

Also chime in if you have any ideas for how to get your kids to remember to wash their hands in the long term...

My ideas so far:
-Post a reminder like this: hand washing tips (http://battlethebug.com/pdfs/KAVT-Hand-Washing-Tips.pdf) near the sink.
-Try to get them in the habit of washing their hands first thing after coming home from school/activities.

[gorf]

We babysit (and no I don't curse like I do here) and I have the little one and parent head straight to the bathroom to wash their hands. Litter dooder is just over 2ish and does a pretty good job, I picked up those white plastic steps at Superstore and they're a perfect height and nice and sturdy. I'm also currently using paper towels and having everyone just discard them but I've been going though a heck of a lot of paper towels lately. Call me nuts but there's dixie cups to use and throw out also, I empty the garbage about 4 or more times day. (I've lost it but we have travel plans and I don't want to get H1N1 or seasonal flu!) :D

[JeffTaylor1985]

We babysit (and no I don't curse like I do here) and I have the little one and parent head straight to the bathroom to wash their hands. Litter dooder is just over 2ish and does a pretty good job, I picked up those white plastic steps at Superstore and they're a perfect height and nice and sturdy.

That is such a good idea! The key really seems to be making it a habit as soon as they get in the door. Sounds like you've made that work.

I'm also currently using paper towels and having everyone just discard them but I've been going though a heck of a lot of paper towels lately. Call me nuts but there's dixie cups to use and throw out also, I empty the garbage about 4 or more times day. (I've lost it but we have travel plans and I don't want to get H1N1 or seasonal flu!) :D

That's a good call -- its also really essential to throw tissues away immediately after the kids (or anyone) sneezes in 'em, and to use anti-viral kleenex, since the flu bug can live in regular tissues for a whole day.

Keep up the good babysitting work (I used to be a full-time nanny years ago!)