Handwashing problems

[loraxc]

We are having a hard time getting DD to wash her hands before eating lately. It's always been a problem off and on, but recently it has really intensified. We don't know what the issue is--she has her choice of stools, sinks, soaps, methods, etc. We have tried to make it fun with making bubbles, and we have tried letting her wash a plastic animal at the same time. She just doesn't want to do it, though, and it frequently causes big problems because she's already hungry and a bit cranky, and then the delay makes things worse (moving dinner earlier isn't really possible, logistically, because we both WOH). Washing hands is crucial, in our opinions, because DD does often get actually physically dirty at daycare (paint, tree sap) and because we really want to reduce germs (she has been sick very often this fall, and it has taken a toll on us all).

So I have questions:

1) (This one is more a scientific one!) She doesn't object to rubbing in some Purell. On days when her hands are not visibly, physically dirty, is this really adequate or even safe (if she is going to touch food)?

3) Is a sticker chart or a star stickerreward for washing a terrible idea? I'm normally opposed to that kind of thing, but they have used the sticker system to great effect to PT her at school (we also adopted it at home, because we sort of had to).

3) Gosh, any other ideas? It seems like we are always having a struggle over something like this with DD. Used to be diapers, then it was toothbrushing--now it's handwashing.

[4evermom]

Washing hands after coming home instead of before eating? I've been known to give ds a bath simply because I want his hands washed and he doesn't want to wash them (but doesn't mind baths).

[WuWei]

Ds "washes" his hands in the car with hand wipes, after going into a public event/activity/business. And after bowel movements. We have several different ways to wash hands after pooping. The hand wipes, the soft soap, the soap bar, the liquid sanitizer, the little hand wipes that come in a portable tear-open package (these are the biggest hit).

Basically, we are really "immune" to our own germs. So, at home, we don't wash hands before eating snacks or meals. Dh and I both wash our hands pretty much upon arriving home, if we had not used hand wipes in the car already. Then again after toileting, andr before and after food preparation (raw chicken, etc). Ds loves playing in the sink with soap and water, but it doesn't happen EVERY day. Nor a bath every day. He is rarely ever sick and has several significant food intolerances/allergies. (We also use classical homeopathy, which I do believe is a factor in our consistent wellness.) However, we are not spending time with a large group of school children all day, in small environments, sharing germs and toys with germs. Our outings are to more public activities, personal playdates with the same group of friends, and friends visiting here.

But, mostly, I try to eliminate the public germs as soon as the exposure occurs, always before eating out; but it is not a big deal at home. Dirt is washed off before coming in the house (for the house and my benefit).

HTH, Pat

[Greenmama13]

I work in a hospital. We use the hand gels here to clean our hands in between patients - so long as our hands are not visibly soiled. This is hospital policy. So I would think the Purell would be fine at home for the same situation.