How To Tell Parents To Bathe Their Kids?

[PitterPatter]

some stuff i found that maybe you can give to parents instead of singling her out....but yes someone needs to be straight with her if the smell is that bad....poor kids

https://www.guardian.com.my/v2/files...n_Lifebouy.pdf

I did put something like that in the January newsletter. A 1/2 page was just discussing flu, germs, how easily they are spread etc. I then explained how often we wash out hands including up our arms to our elbows and even our faces after meals. I mentioned the songs we sing so that we know we have washed long enough.

I hope it works. If not then I will print this whole article for them! TY for helping!

[PitterPatter]

It is obvious that she isn't going to bathe them. Could you begin a daily unit on cleanliness? Send home a newsletter stating that your new schedule will include teaching the children to care for their own bodies (including washing, brushing teeth, grooming hair, etc). Then proceed to spend 15-30 minutes each morning doing that. At least then the children will be clean and you will have a valid educational response to any questioning that dcm may have. 2-1 says she doesn't give a rip. but maybe the kids will learn to do it themselves. Poor babies.

Great idea. Turn it into a whole program change!! We could make that a theme for the month of January and just run with it for the rest of the year! Heck I will even buy soap, toothpaste etc and send it home with everyone.

Thanks for the great idea!

[SilverSabre25]

Great idea. Turn it into a whole program change!! We could make that a theme for the month of January and just run with it for the rest of the year! Heck I will even buy soap, toothpaste etc and send it home with everyone.

Thanks for the great idea!

Sure send it home...but maybe you could just make it a routine to brush teeth after lunch (so you know that they at least had the teeth brushed that day) and wash up to elbows and wash faces after lunch (so at least they've had that much). Maybe you could have some of the flushable wet wipes on hand in the bathroom and have (those children anyway) wipe with those at least once a day, so you know that at least their bottoms have gotten clean.

[PitterPatter]

Update: happyface

The kids arrived today and literally jumped in the door and DCG yelled "I was in the bath!" I said Wow really just now? DCB yells "I have a bath too!" I said well good job guys! DCB lifts his shirt to show me his clean belly he still has some grim in the belly button but at least the ink came off! I said to DCM "Wow they are really excited about their bath did they just have it?" She said "no I put them in last night I don't know why they are still excited about it." I wanted to say because it's a special occasion!

I made a big deal about the whole thing and told DCM thank you for getting that ink off of him I couldn't rub it off of his belly very well.

Their hair was even cleaner so it must have gotten wet. Odor still there but I think it's in the house at this point. We will work on things. I pray she bathes them often now and if she does I will try to get the clothing washed at least. I have jumped this hurdle before and still lost the race so I am not uncrossing my fingers just yet!

I am sending out reinforcments such as the newsletter addition and some supplies! Thank you everyone for all the help and support!!

[PitterPatter]

Sure send it home...but maybe you could just make it a routine to brush teeth after lunch (so you know that they at least had the teeth brushed that day) and wash up to elbows and wash faces after lunch (so at least they've had that much). Maybe you could have some of the flushable wet wipes on hand in the bathroom and have (those children anyway) wipe with those at least once a day, so you know that at least their bottoms have gotten clean.

They are still in diapers the bottom is the cleanest part sadly!

We wash faces hands and arms dily and bottoms. Problem is when they have sat at home in dirty diapers they come in with that odor and rashes at times too. I updated tho. Maybe I embarrassed her. I dont know what it was but when I said let them soak longer in the tub, they came in this morn excited telling everyone they took a bath. Sad to see but happy at the same time kwim?

[Michelle]

Great idea. Turn it into a whole program change!! We could make that a theme for the month of January and just run with it for the rest of the year! Heck I will even buy soap, toothpaste etc and send it home with everyone.

Thanks for the great idea!

Pitter patter... you are such an awesome provider!
Those kids are so lucky to have you.
The mom I had who was a horder was seriously depressed and she wore the same clothes almost everyday too.
She was a single mom and nobody in her family helped her.
I gave the kids baths and had to take care of their skin because they had serious eczema and rashes that turned into scars from being so dirty.
Their teeth were rotting and when I had them in public people would give me dirty looks as if it was my fault. She ended up moving to Florida and getting married, and I heard she takes better care of them now.

The position you are in is so hard because I know you love them.
Just do what you think is best. I have been there before. Even if you start bathing them, it won't change the mom. Just really watch this mom because these are the kind of women who end up on the news doing terrible things to their kids. Watch for total lack of caring( more than her usual).

[countrymom]

just remember one day when the children get older they will always remember the kindness you showed them. We can't save them all but we can do our hardest trying.