Your children are bound to try and argue with you.

In most Muslim households, and throughout the Muslim-majority world, people usually observe the tradition of removing their shoes at the entryway. Our religion values purity and cleanliness, and keeping dirty footwear off carpets and floors is one significant way to reduce germs and grime.

Good hygiene is extremely important in Islam. It is a prerequisite for performing many acts of worship, and maintaining it can be an act of worship in and of itself.  The companion Abu Malik at-Ash'ari reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: 

Trying to teach our children about cleanliness can feel like a never-ending battle sometimes. Struggles over bathing, nagging over left-out toys, and sore sights of messy rooms can become daily sources of tension for families.

One day in Madinah, during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, a group of idolaters approached one of his followers by the name of Salman Al-Farsi., may Allah be pleased with him. They sought to ridicule the Prophets and made a mockery of his teachings.

Reinforcing good hygiene practices from an early age is important for several reasons. Firstly, because it is deemed essentially as half of our faith, as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

"Cleanliness is half of faith."

(Sahih Muslim)

As residents of California for 30-plus years, I have never seen my family members so affected by the earthquakes that recently shook Turkiye. Mind you that California is an earthquake country. The earthquakes in Turkiye feel different and so close to home.