Parents magazine is running an article about the importance of having your kids wash their hands to prevent influenza, common colds, and any other communicable disease. In case you didn't hear, this year's flu vaccine was a complete dud, and more people than ever contracted the flu.
Maybe they should have washed their hands....
After playing with a sick friend or sibling
After using the bathroom
Before eating
After recess
After school or daycare
After playing with animals
After high-fiving the opposing team at the end of a sports game
After playing outside
After blowing her nose or coughing into her hands
Before bedtime
Yes, this is an extensive list, but definitely helps to curb unwelcome germs. To be clear, do not use antibacterial soap every time they wash because most doctors will tell you that overuse prevents children from properly developing immunities to common germs and bacteria.
Also, try to make it a casually common practice. If you make your kids paranoid about germs that are out to get them, Ursula, the Wicked Witch of the East, and that horrible fungus-man (that lifts up the cartoon toenail on the Lamisil commercials*) will be the least of their worries.
Staying clean= good
Making them neurotic = not good
** And maybe the Lamisil thing is just a nightmare for me, but is it really necessary??? And, no, I cannot bring myself to even look at the image above for any extended period of time without getting nauseous.
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