Do you have your children wash their hands before eating?

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   bethperryposted 9 years ago

   Do you have your children wash their hands before eating?
   
   I was taught washing one's hands before eating is good sanitary practice, and likewise I still tell my kids to do this. But I've been told by a few that the practice is "old-fashioned" and worse, "anal". What do you think - does instructing your kids to wash their hands before coming to the table have hygienic merit or is it an outdated and unnecessary practice?
   
   

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   Bubblegum Jonesposted 9 years ago

   I always have children wash their hands before eating, because it helps prevent them from getting sick & it's the sanitary thing to do.

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      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is good to hear! Thanks for sharing!

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   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   Well then call me old fashioned .  I have two boys who are always into stuff and we all wash our hands whenever we enter the kitchen to prepare food.  I don't find food safety and good hygiene outdated or anal at all actually; I find it to be common sense and a way to prevent illness, or spreading food-borne illnesses for that matter.  We wash up whenever we leave the bathroom and before eating. I have these habits hammered into my kids and they rarely get sick.  My mom and her mom were nurses, talk about people anal about hand washing - but they taught me good habits in that regard.

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      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      ChristinS, sounds like you come from a very wise family! Thanks

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   JohnGreasyGamerposted 9 years ago

   As I don't have children myself (despite acting like one at 21!), I can't say that I do but if I did have kids of my own, I would make it just as much part of their lifestyle as brushing their teeth or getting dressed. We might not see the effects of bacterial infection from not washing our hands today but that's only because we have far more knowledge of what harms us and more importantly, how to prevent it immediately. Would someone be as healthy if they didn't wash? No. Would someone who washes their hands spread ailments to others just as much as someone who doesn't wash? No. Washing our hands might seem useless against all the bacteria on our food, plates and utensils but think about how much we use our hands and how much disease can spread because of it. I don't believe we should stop putting handkerchiefs over our mouths when we cough because it's anal, nor would I want someone shaking me by the hand after they've just 'dropped their cargo'.
   
   If people can't see the point in it I have to ask in reply what's the harm in it? Soap can be expensive, especially the more popular brands, but can you put a price on hygeine? Or should we just outlaw showers because we know smells don't kill us?
   
   Maybe I'm bias because I was raised this way by a mother who has been in the medical profession all her life, so I suppose it's natural for me to think like this. A good question though, Bethperry!

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      bethperryposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      John, great points! Thanks much for sharing.

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