According to a recent Healthy Handwashing Survey (shared by Happi), only 25% of parents actually believe their children always wash up when they tell them to do so.

The findings come from an annual research conducted by Bradley Corporation, a manufacturer of commercial restroom fixtures that is very active in the critical I&I cleaning category.

In the survey, fathers were slightly more trusting of their kids' handwashing follow through—60% of dads believe their kids wash their hands at least 75% of time when they tell them. Only 51% of mothers felt the same. (Moms, IYKYK.)

Why don't parents trust their children? The answer is pretty simple: they themselves admit to cheating the system when they were young. In the survey, almost 60% of parents say, as kids, they would just run the water when their parents instructed them to wash their hands.

I know I did.

Who had time to lather up when when School House Rock was about to start? Turn on that spout—for effect—and get out. Nobody would risk their turn at Frogger.

As parent, I’ve been on the other side of the battle. I tried all of the tricks, I mean, tools to teach get my girls to wash their hands when necessary. In the survey, 35% said they buy fun soaps to make the process more interesting and about 19% turn it into a contest or game.

What about bribery or threats? (Asking for a friend…)

My two are older now—high school and college age. I no longer have to trust and “verify.” I just trust. What’s more, they’ve been through a pandemic. For better or worse, they have a higher understanding about transmission of illness and germs than I did at their age. The onus is on them to carry forth with clean hands.

Now, as for the guy I just watched leave the bathroom here inside my local coffee shop…I can only hope his mom taught him well.