Comments on: The Hygiene Hypothesis and Why I’m Raising Dirty Kids

By: 808love

808love — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 20:20:02 +0000

DD loved reading the book Dirty Larry over and over again. We have rainboots and a sand table for great dirty moments The pitfalls of this lifestyle include intense washing of sand out of the hair and other moms’ looks of shock.

By: mrs. tictactoe

mrs. tictactoe — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:11:12 +0000

Thank you for this post! Sometimes I feel like a bad mom because I’m not super anal about things he puts his mouth on (if I can stop him, I do, but sometimes I can’t, so oh well). We have two dogs, so the floors in our house are clean for like 5 minutes after I clean them and I do not have time to clean them every 5 minutes (or even every 5 days). So far, he’s only had one little cold in almost 10 months, so I think my system is working (I hope I don’t eat my words).

By: Alivoo01

Alivoo01 — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:03:52 +0000

I’d definitely let my kids get dirty because that’s part of the fun and building some childhood memories! But it also doesn’t mean I’ll let them eat dirt or random things they play with from the ground.

By: Mrs. Bee

Mrs. Bee — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:22:17 +0000

i don’t mind dirt because i was a big ol tomboy, but i am a bit of a germaphobe i must admit! i don’t think i can ever help that. i am a hand washing, wipes carrying maniac!

By: Mrs. Blue

Mrs. Blue — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:58:40 +0000

I have never particularly thought about the hygiene hypothesis, but it totally makes sense. Plus, dirty activities are some of my favorite childhood memories. We lived in the country and whe it rained, our favorite thing do to was ride our bikes through the mud puddles. I’m sure we tracked all kinds of mud into our house, but my mom was a-okay with us getting a little dirty. I hope to give my kids some of those same dirty but amazing memories!

By: Mrs. Jacks

Mrs. Jacks — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:48:59 +0000

I’m a big fan of the hygiene hypothesis!

By: prettylizy

prettylizy — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 02:00:32 +0000

Lovely post! I totally agree, bring on the dirt :)

By: Mrs. Train

Mrs. Train — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:00:59 +0000

@mediagirl: we have dogs too. I have yet to figure out how to not have hair everywhere. My kids are around them all the time and I love it.

@BabyBoecksMom: during the summer we get really high temps. We just play with water for short time periods then come inside and get water to drink. I am not s fan of play outside in 100+ temps but I manage for a little bit

@Mrs. Pen: ugh… Public restrooms are the worst, so gross. I more so mean outside having fun. I actually don’t fuss about shopping carts I just tell them no and move on. But restrooms can be so gross. When I have to go in with four littles ones we definitely do some hand scrubbing because I know someone touched something gross while I was taking care of a sibling.

@JennyLayneAZ: yeah the bugs are gross but my biologist side likes to look too. I just don’t like them touching me.

@Sammyfab: I am usually just as dirty if not worse than they are, mostly because they like to decorate me. my husband just laughs, watches and says I am not getting in that muck!

By: tororojo

tororojo — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:45:06 +0000

I love this philosophy!

By: Sammyfab

Sammyfab — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 20:53:03 +0000

@mediagirl: my husband sent me an article awhile back about how children who have pets (dogs specifically) have stronger immune systems!

I love this post and how you get right into the dirt with your kids! I completely agree that exposure (to a degree) is a good thing.