Occasionally, if I can willfully ignore the doomsday articles on the economy and avoid the stark accounts of human atrocities, I find myself paragraph deep in a news article that breathes hope and inspiration. One that provides a virtual pat on the back, either in print or on-line…
Three kids, one dog and an overflowing schedule are not the elements of choice for a perfect home interior. I’m OK with that. I gave up that obsession back when I slid from being a “Type A” personality to more of what I term a “Type A-” mode. Basically, it was my decision to focus “Type A” tendencies on specific and select areas, and to let things like the exterior Christmas lights lolling on my front bushes linger another holiday if necessary without leaving a guilt residue. Reasonable; right?
When I recently bumped into a NY Times review of “Why Dirt is Good” by Mary Ruebush, I smiled. Her premise is that ultra-clean environments can be detrimental in that they don’t allow a child’s immune system to “explore his environment.” Hope for the harried…
Years ago I ran across a study that reached similar conclusions, and my immediate response was to mail the clipping to the only friend with a life more chaotic than my own. We had curious toddlers and needy babies. “Free time” was theoretical at best and an illusory hope on most days. I knew she’d be grateful. We agreed by phone that on the days our homes were closer to “disaster” than “designer”, we would at least hold on to the hope that we were “immunizing our children.”
True or not, this is a theory I can buy into. It’s a handy notion for messy, dirt-dusted vacations like last summer’s Utah trip, too. I’d rather believe that I’m absorbing helpful minerals than simply getting dirty. And while notions such as these are not going to get my kids out of any cleaning chores, it’s a helpful thought on the days I catch myself caring a little too much about the kitchen floor.
I read that article as well — it made me feel a little bit better about my parenting technique. (I’ve not always enforced the “wash your hands before dinner” rule.)
My grandmother often said, “You’ll eat a peck of dirt before you die.” Inspiring, huh? Of course you don’t have to eat it all in one serving. That’s also back when many folk knew what the heck a peck was.
Raising my two boys as a single parent led to many time saving devices. Seeking to relieve myself of constant laundry, I taught them, at a relatively young age, how to operate the machines. My only rule was, don’t wash ANYTHING of yours with ANYTHING of mine. That stopped the magic markers, gum, frogs, and other pollutants from cross pollinating.
Enjoyed the article, can relate.
Delmer: The things that encourage us…! It sounds like you’ve been doing it right all along.
Bob: I bet her birthday cards were special! Or maybe you’re quoting from one?
Your laundry rule is valid and a necessary protection. I struggle with “just doing it” myself when I can’t stand the overflow (or aroma) a minute longer. I’d have several more hours a week if I could break myself of that habit.
I agree to let go at times not only saves energy and time wasted on cleaning and mopping, but like you said boosts our immunity.
Sometimes I feel it’s more about mental attitude than physical labor , which causes all the frustration!
Take care and don’t work too hard.
I heard something similar some time ago about keeping it naturally clean, not unreal clean. From what I remember it has to do with building up the immune system, but also something to do with ensuring that your child doesn’t end up a clean freak or worse:with obsessive compulsive problems.
Just as long as the plate and cutlery are clean. Nice post Heather.
Heather, that article ROCKS. My grandmother was very fussy and nervous about keeping her house clean. Not one thing was ever out of order or not shiny clean. When we visited her we were afraid we’d leave lint on her couch and not have an invitation back into the house. If we rode in her car, she placed newspapers down on the plastic mats.
She was like this for years and then had a surgery that somehow became infected. She died of that a few weeks later. It was ironic how she polished every surface she had but in the end the dirt got her.
Hugs, JJ
Great pic!!!
Hugs, JJ
Great article Heather! I grew up playing in the desert and exploring (New Mexico)…..I can remember eating a little dirt as a kid……ultra cleanliness is probably not normal and at the least unrealistic and annoying…
Heather: A brilliant blog! I have just opened a new travel “channel” on my website
at http://www.babyboomrevie.com
and wondered whether you would be interested in doing some cross posting at least to get us started…let me know
Larry
I think that is why many younger folks get ill when they travel nowadays. There immune system hasn’t built up enough to fight the natural differences when we go somewhere else. I think there will be a slow move back towards slightly (and I emphasise slightly) less hygenic living than the pure days today of bottled water only, everything washed etc etc..
Oops – wrong “there” – I meant “their”. What an ignorant typo…
I love it…. Let’s all go camping and roll around a bit!
A little dirt – Builds Character!
Sadia: You’re right regarding the benefits of a more relaxed attitude! How desirable is a pristine home if its price is a family’s joy?
Thanks Cate. You make a very good point. It always seems to come down to “balance”. “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” comes to mind: not to hot/not too cold…
JJ: One wonders what sort of home she grew up in to be compelled in that way! Very sad. She didn’t create a very welcoming place for a curious child to visit.
My Grandma Prior was always very accommodating of my “big ideas” when we visited. She let me put on plays, concerts, fashion shows and circuses (and anything else that occurred to me) without a blink. I’m sure we generally trashed her place at times, but she was always there asking if we needed refreshments! Lucky me, huh?
Mark: If a guy can eat dirt and grow up to play NCAA football, it probably can’t be too bad for you!
Larry: Thanks very much! I’ll make a point of checking out your site this weekend.
Mark H: Ha! Not “ignorant”, just too fast a typist for your own brain…
The whole anti-bacterial, ultra-hygienic swing falls under the “if some is good, more is better” attitude. Not always the case… (but I agree a “slight” change would be best!)
Intrepid: I remember setting up camp with my ex and watching my oldest boy, then a toddler, pick up a penny from the ground and pop it into his mouth. My startled shout is probably what prompted him to swallow it. -But there were no ill effects, and my children went on to swallow much worse things than a copper penny from a forest floor…
Ah, kids and dirt… it takes me back when I was a kid and I used to roll around in the stuff all day long. In fact, I’m sure I still have some of the dirt from my childhood still hanging around the place to this day! It’s a collector’s item now. lol