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Tips for making 10 year old flush toilet and wash hands?

5 replies

dannimay · 14/11/2024 23:35

Don't know what else to do to make my DS flush the toilet and wash his hands after. If I catch him coming out of the bathroom and haven't heard the flush or tap I will remind him and he'll go and do it but I know if I'm not there he won't most of the time - there is evidence! His brother does it himself no problem. Have done the nice talk, explaining why and all the hygiene reasons, have also lost my temper at times, telling him off for it when im exhausted with the nice talk. I'm actually wondering if I need to say there will be consequences - such as no games or treats etc...does that sound harsh or the wrong approach? Don't know what else to do, plus this was a kid who had the 20 second handwashing thing drummed into him from everywhere during covid when he was 6 and I remember joking at the time with DH that we'd have no problem with our kids learning about the importance of it!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
minipie · 14/11/2024 23:58

I don’t know the secret but my just turned 12 year old was the same until a few months back. Tearing my hair out.

But something seems to have clicked and they are now flushing reliably and I think handwashing too judging by state of sink/towel. Maybe it’s starting secondary that has made the difference?

dannimay · 15/11/2024 07:12

@minipie thank you, that has given me some hope! I am hoping he might just suddenly start doing it with age. I always thought it might be my fault and that I didn't teach him right somehow.

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Wrexhamite · 30/04/2025 03:43

dannimay · 14/11/2024 23:35

Don't know what else to do to make my DS flush the toilet and wash his hands after. If I catch him coming out of the bathroom and haven't heard the flush or tap I will remind him and he'll go and do it but I know if I'm not there he won't most of the time - there is evidence! His brother does it himself no problem. Have done the nice talk, explaining why and all the hygiene reasons, have also lost my temper at times, telling him off for it when im exhausted with the nice talk. I'm actually wondering if I need to say there will be consequences - such as no games or treats etc...does that sound harsh or the wrong approach? Don't know what else to do, plus this was a kid who had the 20 second handwashing thing drummed into him from everywhere during covid when he was 6 and I remember joking at the time with DH that we'd have no problem with our kids learning about the importance of it!

I’d start making consequences. No snacks/treats, only main meals. No games/social media/tv etc… tell him he’s got a week to come round or it gets tougher, add grounding, no tv etc… then add in homework sheets of subjects he dislikes until things change.
or, start milder with showing photos of people who have had fecal infected wounds and the after effects, rotting limbs etc.. some might think it’s harsh, but it’s the reality, and I’m not one to baby people who are not babies.

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4theanimals · 30/04/2025 07:04

I take away privileges from my 6 year old dd. It’s working.

19lottie82 · 30/04/2025 10:45

Seems simple to me. First call him back every single time and also remove something he enjoys for an hour. TV, phone, games?

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