is this normal?

Question

My daughter just turned 8 years old. She never washes her hands even though I remind her all the time. In fact....she will run the tap to make me think she's washed her hands...but doesn't actually. It makes no sense to me. She never cleans up after herself, throws her stuff everywhere, even though I tell her I don't like it. Is this normal 8 year old behaviour?

Answer 1

Very normal - All my girls hate washing there hands (must be a kid thing) You have to stay on them with the cleaning, every time they don't clean up after them self's, call them over make them clean it up then have them clean something else (examples - counters, tables, chairs, or the kicker toilets) she will find it easier to clean after her self then have additional chores tacked on.

Good Luck

Answer 2

I used to do the hand thing too!! Don't worry about it, just keep reminding her and she will grow out of it.

In regards to making a mess and not cleaning up... you may have to reward her. Create a chart and say for example if she cleans up 20 out of 30 days ( or 5 out of 7) she will get a prize of her choice at the end of the month (or week). The theory is rewarding behavior encourages her to repeat it until she no longer needs the reward. Trust me it works, even into the teenage years!!

Answer 3

You know, I can remember running the water and not using the soap. The only reason I can think of - it seems pretty odd in retrospect - is that my mom was super-controlling and I was probably rebeling in quiet ways. I also threw my stuff all around. Not consciously to bug mom but because my mind was always racing on to some other thought or activity.

My kids use soap - but I've explained to them since they were little that soap makes the germs slippery so they'll slide off the hands. It seems when kids know the reasons for doing something, they do it.

The say when kids are hit, they are resentful and are not into pleasing their parents. I only know that we've never hit ours and they just do what's asked of them without a hassle.

Answer 4

Yes kids (boys and girls) that age seem to hate this. I do think a couple of things though. She is actually lying to you when she tries to make you think she is washing. I would explain to her it the same as lying and you are going to deal with it and punish it the same as you would with oral lying. I would also start having some rules about throwing things all around or at least start having some pretty regular scheduled times for her to clean up and pick up.

Answer 5

my six year old does this..so we went to the store and had her pick out her own soap that she like, we also bought santizer. well she used the soap for a little but then stopped washing her hand but she likes using the hand santizer throughout the day. also she would keep her room a mess and say it was clean, so i took a trash bag in her room and started putting everything on the floor into it, she got the idea. and dont really have the problem any more

Answer 6

Buy your daughter some sanitary wipes since she don't like to use water. This behavior is normal for some kids and she needs to see you do some cleaning and get her involved in routines of household and cooking chores. Once she get in the routine of doing some cleaning and joy of new other routines things should fall in place.

Answer 7

Hello- I have an 8 yr old step daughter, and a 10 year old step son. They both will do this from time to time. You feel like you have to watch over them all the time??
Well I pretty much have to. I caught my stepson wearing his underwear for 3 days ina row....I told him that was unacceptable, gross, and dirty. But this is our job...to be mothers, and no matter how old our children get...we will always have to watch over them.
Good luck, and take slow deep breaths..

Answer 8

YES, YES, YES, YES. I wish I could be in the home with you. Eight years old is such a young age. She will finally see the light when she gets involved with the opposite sex. I know this is scary for you but how true. She is a little girl, treasure this time in your and her life. How fast they grow up, this problem will solve itself on its own.

Answer 9

yes until you take a firm stand and take away her favorite thing for infractions like no tv if you disobey.
give one warning that if she does not clean up you will throw her stuff in the trash and stick to it.
and a good lesson on handwashing from a healthcare professional will do wonders (e-coli)
stand firm now because if you don't do it now there is no hope to do it in te future
good luck

Answer 10

Yes this is completely normal, but it will continue the rest of her life unless you step in and correct the situation.