Offering practical hygiene lessons to our children is very important. Growing up, I was never taught basic personal hygiene practices.

For example, how to bathe properly, brush my teeth, some eating habits, laying my bed, washing utensils and clothes, among others. I learnt some of them as a grown-up. At least, my mother and sisters were always there to do most of the things for me.

But I later realised I missed to learn many important things in my childhood. Today, I find it very hard to do some chores such as washing clothes and utensils. Some of these activities were looked at as girls’ chores. However, when I joined a boarding section during my secondary school, there was no one to help me out. I had some embarrassments and difficult moments among my colleagues. 

I remember a student at campus who could take her dirty clothes to her parents’ home for the maid to wash. She did this every weekend. This might sound shocking, but I am a witness. Imagine a mature girl at university does not know how to wash clothes, cook any type of food, cannot clean up utensils.

Surprisingly, this is a girl who expects to graduate, join the field, become independent and later get married. How would you expect such person to take care of her husband or mentor her children?

It’s high time we taught our children these things. For example, teach them how to clean themselves after short and long calls to avoid infections. Do they know how to clean all parts when bathing? Can she thoroughly clean herself up during menstrual periods? Does she know that she should avoid such irritants to the urethra as sprays and douches in the genitals?

In our families, the common practices we put more emphasis on include washing hands before and after eating, bathing, brushing, etc. We, however, forget others which are equally major. Let children learn to take responsibility of their personal hygiene because this contributes to prevention of most diseases and infections.

Some children reach four years when they are still using potty and cannot use toilets or pit latrines for short and long calls. This calls us to be attentive to our children’s hygiene and train them early enough.

For example, children from 16 months old and above should be taught where to put their dirty clothes, how to brush their teeth, shoes, wash hands, etc.

The teens need to learn that shaving is a healthy practice and makes them comfortable. As parents, we can help our children observe their hygiene for lifelong benefits and appreciate the value of life.