In my five years as a working mom with two children, I am extremely fortunate at the few number of times I’ve had to keep my kids home sick from child care with icky colds and/or flu symptoms (because, ugh, there’s nothing like having to interview job candidates over the phone while your two-year-old is whining in your lap and asking for more juice). And while some of my kids’ strong immunity can be credited to their bodies’ natural abilities, I’m convinced that one simple habit has made more of a difference than any other. And that is thorough hand washing.
With the help of this post’s sponsor, the American Cleaning Institute, I want to share some great tips and information that will keep your kids–and you–from being sidelined during this cold and flu season. AND, by joining in the conversation on this topic, you’ll have the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card! You can also download the printable infographic below to keep up as a reminder in your home, school, child care, church nursery, or public restrooms.
Tips to live clean and healthy
Get your kids started with good hygiene habits from the start. Here are the Five Finger Tips for hand washing from the American Cleaning Institute to keep illnesses and absences to a minimum. I’ve also added some tried and true ways I’ve personally implemented these tips with even the most unruly of toddlers.
1. Set an example for your kids.
If you think you’re already doing this, then you’re in the minority. 65% of U.S. parents of children ages 5 and under don’t always wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, according to a new survey by Wakefield Research for the American Cleaning Institute.
2. Teach kids to soap up for at least 20 seconds, rinsing and drying completely.
Get in some counting practice with your child while he or she washes up, or find a song or another rhyme that they can sing while sudsing. The ABC song is pretty standard around our household sinks. We also use this rhyme as a reminder to wash all surfaces of our hands and fingers, “Inside, outside, in between; That’s how we get our hands clean.”
3. Explain to kids the reasons they should wash up, to keep from getting sick and spreading germs.
If your toddler or preschooler has a hard time comprehending germs they can’t see, share the glitter analogy with them by watching this Caillou clip together (the only time I recommend turning to Caillou).
4. Tell kids when to wash, such as after using the bathroom, while cooking and after touching animals, blowing your nose, coughing and sneezing.
At our house, we wash hands as soon as we get home–it’s part of our routine along with hanging up jackets and putting shoes away. This keeps the germs they picked up on our outings out of our house from the moment we get home.
5. Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizers or gels or antibacterial wipes on hand for when soap and water are unavailable.
In your purse, diaper bag, car, and everywhere you go, these come in handy for so many reasons.
Check out the American Cleaning Institute’s website for lots more helpful information for parents related to good hand hygiene in and out of the home. Their site is filled with other great information for parents including safe practices when using and storing cleaning products where and when children are present.
Stock up on vitamins! I always have a vitamin D chewy to keep me happy and my happy hormones elevated but I also give the kids cuties at least 2 a day so they get some extra vitamin C
Our secret is healthy eating! My kids rarely get sick and they attend school and mommy and me classes several times a week. I make sure they eat lots of fruit and veggies to strengthen those little immune systems. Plus lots of hand washing! We have special soaps that seem to keep them at the sink longer and more often. We currently have minions, Elmo and cars soap they choose from.
Congrats, Shannon! You were randomly selected as our winner! Watch for an email about your gift card!
I just saw this! I actually won?!
Start from the inside out, teach your kids to eat healthy food and plenty of water. Give you body the girl it needs to be strong and fight germs off!
The fuel it needs lol not the girl it needs. Correction.
Fun smelling soap at every sink! Make hand washing fun.
Turn off the heat and open the windows for 30 minutes each day.
Once a week wipe down all door knobs, light switches, and cupboard and drawer pulls in the house with your preferred disinfectant. If you have a banister rail, remember to do that as well. ☺
The simple habit of sneezing into your sleeve, rather than into your hand, can make a huge difference in not spreading germs. Sneezes are so powerful and spread germs all over a room and into the air in tiny particles. Aim for the sleeve!
We picked up a great tip from my daughter’s play gym. In a spray bottle, mix half water and half rubbing alcohol. Spray on toys, for a quick and easy way to sanitize? Especially after toddler play dates!
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