I really am torn on this one. To what degree should children be exposed to germs? (Read More For Poll)On one side, I am reminded that children have a immune system for a reason. I mean really. Young kids have run around putting everything they find into their mouths for thousands of years. Some would say that this is nature’s way of exposing children – helping them build a robust immune system. My husband’s grandfather used to tell him, “Ah, don’t worry about it. Everyone eats a pint of dirt before they die.” This statement was used to justified eating or handling something dirty. And he is not alone. I know lots of people who intentionally leave their children’s playroom un-sanitized in order to expose their children. Is this practice similar to giving a young child several immunizations? The purpose of immunizations is to intentionally expose children so that they can build immunity to the disease. Proponents of this would argue that not exposing your children can actually cause increased sickness and health issues for the rest of the children’s lives.
On the other hand, before the practice of sterilization was discovered, didn’t lots of people die from common germs? Aren’t doctors and healthcare providers always encouraging the public to wash their hands? The question is how much is hype, and how much is over-protective?
The funny thing is that I have always been more inclined to think with the “let them eat dirt crowd, ” but act with the “sanitize everything crowd.” The answer probably lies some where in between, but does it lie closer to “let them eat dirt” or “sanitize everything.” I would really appreciate your feedback on this one. So if you have an opinion or helpful insight please leave a comment. Also, please take the poll below. Do you fall more into the “let them eat dirt crowd” or the “sanitize everything crowd?”
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I think I fall somewhere in between. When my kids were little and dropped their pacifiers I would just pick them up, inspect them for particles and put them back in their mouths. On the other end, when we have a sick child at home, I Lysol and sanitize everything! I think most things require not only a balance, but a little perspective as well. 🙂
Good point. It probably depends on the situation.
It’s a really tough call. I remember when I was teaching, many parents were really upset that we gave the sanitizer because of the “research” at the time. I agree with Heidi, a balance is important. New follower from http://sassyshopperreviews.blogspot.com/ would love a follow back when you have the time! 😀
I remember that “research” and even I stopped using sanitizer as much. Now, I find that my preschool parents complain about their child getting sick a lot at their daycare. So I try to keep things really clean around here, but the kids love playing outside in the dirt. There is always someone who decides to put their hands in their mouth right afterwards! Thanks for stopping by and adding your input.
I can’t be comfortable with “let them eat dirt,” but “sanitize everything” drives us all crazy! So, I’m with y’all – somewhere in the middle is best. And I do a lot of praying for God’s protection over my babies, who repeatedly forget all the teaching I’ve done about germs when they see something cool on the ground and pick it up.
Thanks so much for joining Flock Together this week at Mom’s Best Nest !
Yes, it seems like I am always going over that lesson too! I definately need to remember to pray more. Thanks for hosting!
I agree it is not an all or nothing situation. I would say.. be clean as you can but it is not necessary to live in a sterile enviornment. Teaching your kids to be aware to wash their hands etc.. is important too.
When you say “their playroom” do you mean toys at home? It would never even occur to me to sanitize my kids’ own toys unless something yucky had happened to make them need it. In a group setting, I can understand the need for it.
I never use hand sanitizer. If we’ve been doing something icky enough to need it, I want soap and running water. (The one time I’ve really wished I had some was last summer, when we held an alligator at the gator farm and then found out after the fact that there was no place to wash our hands.)
I keep the kids out of the chicken coop and compost pile and, for the most part, don’t worry too much about germs in the house except for normal handwashing.
Yes, I really don’t worry too much about their toys, but I really worry about our chickens. So, since you have chickens I would love your input. My husband just bought 4 chicks. My young daughters are always petting them and sometimes my two-year-old sticks her fingers in her mouth. It really worries me. I don’t know how dirty chickens are. What do you think? Should I even let my girls play with the chicks or should I have them keep their distance? Thank you so much for your comments.
My nephew’s mother was an utter germ freak when he was born/little. He would be playing ball in the living room, and the ball would drop to the floor. She would be there in an instant with the Detol antibacterial spray, would squirt it clean, wipe it off and give him the ball back.
When he started pre-school at the age of three, he spent the majority of his first year suffering from coughes, colds and all other manner of infections. I’m a teacher myself, and I’ve never known a child to be so ill! I have no doubt in my mind that it was because he was in such sterile environment before he went to school!
You are probably right! As a teacher you are exposed to more germs than most and that must give you a pretty strong immune system. Thanks for your input.
I just naturally fall into the “to germ” category. We don’t use hand sanitizer, but I do teach my children how to wash their hands well with soap and water. I also immunize my kids which I think makes a difference since there is less chance of them catching something that would make them really sick.
My children have hardly been sick, much less than their peers. They have only been on an antibiotic an handful of times. It is always hard to tell though whether that is proof that allowing your child expose to germs makes them healthier or whether the parents who have kids that get sick easily are just much more careful.
Thanks again for the feature, Tulip. I’ve have some extra family responsibilities this week and next so the list you saw the other day in the widget was not a normal list.
People sanitize their own playrooms? I gave been known to drive over my baby’s toy with the stroller and hand it right back to them. All four of my kids are still alive and well and gave never been hospitalized for infections…
This article is very important now a days
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