Messy Tessy

Tessa is our "Messa." I am not sure she can help but being a super messy kid. Her favorite thing to do is smear her food all over her face and hands. We try patiently to encourage using a fork during meals. We provide her with at least two napkins per meal. I think we're progressing a little because I can't always determine what we were eating by inspecting her laundry. Tessa's new favorite obsession is to touch every wall and to rub her hands, face, or feet along the walls especially after meal times. I have tried to explain in a rational manner about germs and my concern that as she licks walls, tables, and chairs she is not only spreading her germs that will grow and mold and spread bacteria, but she may also be passing germs to the other unfortunates living with her who may touch where she's deposited her filfth. So now she seems to mostly remember to go directly to the sink to wash her hands and face after dinner before she touches anything. We also try to explain that we just don't like her touching everything from here to there and would like her to stop it. This is taking longer to modify. Today I caught her swinging on a door and then rubbing her hands down the wall as she goofily walked down the hallway. I said, "Tessa" in a firm voice. She turned and looked at me with her beautiful eyes exclaiming, "What? I washed my hands!"