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Parenting

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Original poster

How can my small kid wash his hands at home with these stupid taps?

27 replies

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 09/04/2019 13:08

DS is nearly 4, he's great at toileting but I can't figure out how to get him washing his hands, which means I haven't even started teaching him to wipe his own bum yet.

The issue isn't the child at all but the taps. The bathroom sink tap is a single tap with a sort of lever handle which controls the volume of water by lifting it up and the temperature by moving left for hotter and right for colder. Even standing on a step there's no way a small child could move it incrementally enough to get a reasonable flow, let alone remember which direction is cold and which is hot and adjust safety between the two.

The kitchen sink is a long way from the bathroom, would need a big set of steps for him to reach the taps, and has two separate taps with no mixer so at least he could use the cold tap and not burn himself. But he'd have to put only one hand at a time under the water as he'd need to hold onto the sink with the other to reach, so couldn't rub his hands together.

Before meals I run a big bowl of warm soapy water for him to wash his hands in on the floor, but if I leave a bowl like this out all the time then the cat or the kid will knock it over.

How can I get him washing his hands independently please, any ideas?

How can my small kid wash his hands at home with these stupid taps?

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Original poster

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 09/04/2019 13:09

Obviously we are renting so can't change the taps.

OP posts:

UCOinSteveArnottsPants · 09/04/2019 13:10

Leave the bathroom sink filled with soapy water?

My dc always managed fine with taps like these though so maybe he just needs time to get used to it.

michaelbaubles · 09/04/2019 13:11

Turn the water temperature on the boiler down so it doesn't get hot enough to burn anyone even on full hot flow. Then let him work out for himself over time how much pressure etc to put on the tap to turn it on to the right amount. He has to learn somehow.

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TheKitchenWitch · 09/04/2019 13:15

Those are completely standard taps here in Germany, there are rarely separate hot cold taps. The kids all learn to use them, mainly by just leaving it in the middle and lifting up. It’s never been a problem.

OddBoots · 09/04/2019 13:15

I work in a pre-school that has taps like this, the children have no problem with them at all. We teach them to just lift it up, no need to make hotter or colder as it is fine in the middle.

Even if your child is not able to do this it is no harder to support them washing their hands than it is to wipe their bottom so just help the child use the tap until he gets it.

JustAWaferThinMint · 09/04/2019 13:20

We have taps like that. Never been a problem for either DC. Some minor water splashing maybe in the early days, but that soon dries. And they are way easier to operate than one which requires twisting, which is harder for small hands.

MyDcAreMarvel · 09/04/2019 13:21

Does your ds normally have issues with dexterity? There should be no issue, my toddlers used those taps easily.

JustAWaferThinMint · 09/04/2019 13:21

A separate hot tap would also require a child to remember which is hot to avoid scalding. This type, you just keep it in the middle.

TipseyTorvey · 09/04/2019 13:27

My 4 yo can operate the same tap quite easily. Just get them a little IKEA step thingy so they can get a bit of leverage.

Original poster

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 09/04/2019 13:34

Hmm OK I'll try him with it, I find it a bit tricky myself so just assumed he'd drench himself, but I'll see what happens. Maybe ours is a bit stiff.

OP posts:

SavoyCabbage · 09/04/2019 13:35

They are completely normal taps. Can you adjust the temperature on your boiler during the day so the water can't get too hot?

Gottalovesummer · 09/04/2019 13:38

Really? I have this tap in my bathroom. I'm a cm, ALL my children from age 2 onwards manage this tap, once I've shown them how it works.

Let him try it, he'll be fine x

justasking111 · 09/04/2019 13:38

Quite normal tap, Three year old just lifts tap that is set in middle. We have baby ducks and a lifeboat that he plays with whilst getting clean. We also have a little step for him to use.

Original poster

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 09/04/2019 14:11

OK I've tried it and he can do everything apart from turning the tap on, it's just so stiff. The lever part isn't like the one in the photo, it's a sort of square rod instead, and because he's reaching over the big sink he has to do it almost with his fingertips, he just can't apply enough force. If he did manage to shove it hard enough it could go sideways to hot or just on full force, no chance of greater control until he's quite a bit bigger.

We have the IKEA step, there's literally no room in the bathroom for anything bigger.

Is there a way to loosen the tap?

OP posts:

EvaHarknessRose · 09/04/2019 14:43

How about a tap extender from a disability aids range to give him more leverage?

QuestionableMouse · 09/04/2019 14:46

You could just replace the tap with a new version which will probably be easier to use. Go to B&Q (other DIY stores available!) and let him have a play with the taps on display to find one that works.

UCOinSteveArnottsPants · 09/04/2019 14:50

Op has said she’s in rented so can’t replace taps.

randomsabreuse · 09/04/2019 15:00

He'll get there as he gets taller. Leave it in the cold position and get him to help you each time - holding your hand or you holding his.

We have similar in our (owned) house, the sink are big too and DD is small and slight. She's just got there about 8 months after starting - she couldn't even reach the taps when we started, even on a quite big step!

Irritating design fail on our part especially when she needs help at 3am after a wee and had successfully done everything else!

TheKitchenWitch · 09/04/2019 15:14

Maybe a squirt of WD40 or similar? It might just need more use or cleaning to loosen up. They’re not usually at all stuff.

CottonSock · 09/04/2019 15:17

My dd learned how to use these on a step when 3.5 or 4. Taught her to push away from her if too hot.

Prokupatuscrakedatus · 09/04/2019 20:25

@EatsFartsAndLeaves
Why can't you change the taps?
We rent, too, and as long as you replace the landlord's taps when you leave, there should not be a problem.
I put in lockable handles to my windows and even had a wall installed to create another room.

SavoyCabbage · 09/04/2019 21:08

I’d try limescale remover in the tap first in case that’s what’s making it stiff and then WD40 if it’s no better.

Original poster

EatsFartsAndLeaves · 10/04/2019 01:16

I can't really afford to go buying new taps and I'm not very keen on trying to fit one myself. I'm not sure the housing would replace a working tap either. It and the sink were put in new when we moved in 4 years ago, I'm pretty sure it has always been this stiff so likely not limescale (and it's a soft water area) but I'll try limescale remover first just in case. Could WD40 damage the washer?

OP posts:

eurochick · 10/04/2019 01:18

We have similar taps and my four year old manages fine. If yours is stiff could you try descaling the mechanism?

Itwouldtakemuchmorethanthis · 10/04/2019 01:21

Just tape a ruler shaped thing to the tap. Gorilla tape is perfect. It will be longer so easier to lift (physics).

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