How worried should I be...?

klibby707

I've tried so hard to be a carefree mom because I was that kid who was wiped up all the time and didn't play in dirt.  We were at my school's football game (where I teach), and it had rained earlier.  My son, of course, had interest in this puddle on the concrete.  At first, he just walked in it and jumped.  I kind of let him walk through it and stuff.  Then, he tried to put his head down, possibly to drink the water.  I grabbed him immediately, and I don't think he got any in his mouth but can't be sure.  Then, he just kept coming back to it.  I was chill about it.  He did put his hands in a couple times, and I would redirect him.  Then, this woman yelled at me...oh gosh, he is putting his hands in his mouth!  And another guy said I was wondering where his mom was.  I was throwing something away in the garbage can right next to him.  I am completely judging myself right now and worried he is going to get some kind of virus.  Feeling like a bad mom.... How worried would you be?

iteachk

I get looks and comments like that all the time, even though I watch my LO constantly.  Trust your instincts and forget about what other people say. 

JennaNAaron

I think he'll be fine...people are douche noodles

klibby707

Thanks, ladies. : )

dairygirl19

As someone who's kid is growing up on a dairy obsessed with outside and loves puddles and water:

You'll be just fine!

It's been 14 months and my LO has never had more than a cold muchless some obscure virus from a random mud puddle!

I'd have told the other adults to shut it, we're having fun.

ElatedMom2B

As DH always says, "Its good for them".  No, I wouldn't suggest you go and bottle the water up for LO to drink, but I am sure he'll be just fine and it is good for him.  My DH and I agree that germs are good for kids, to an extent.  They need to be exposed to them to build strong immunities.  Worst case scenario, he'll get a case of the runs for a day or two.  Heck, you ever see that show My Strange Obsession, or something like that?  People eat glass and dish detergent and still live - so weird.  Don't be so hard on yourself, its a learning process for everyone involved...your son and you. 

Kissimi21

If the only thing my DS did was stick his hands in his mouth after they were in a puddle, it wouldn't even be on my radar.  My kid has eaten hay, sucked on horse food, eaten cat food, licked a slide, drank water from a spout a the splash pad, licked our cat, licked his shoes (Different shoes, different occasions.  We now keep his shoes out of reach.), thrown sand in his own hair, and that's all from August alone!  He's heatlthy and happy. 

klibby707

Thanks!!!! My husband asked...did you think anything of it until the comments? And I said well, no. I appreciate the feedback.

Nevtali

Practice this answer: "What is WRONG with you?" Only to be used on people who are really rude, of course.

LadyXaverian

Whatever happened to the old expression, "God made dirt, so dirt won't hurt"? When did it become a hazard to play in a puddle??

Sorry they made you feel badly.

skio

Ohhh please. People were flipping their lids because he got rain water in his mouth? The horror! :::insert heavy sarcasm and eye roll smiley because I'm on my phone and can't add it::::

You shouldn't be worried one bit. Puddles and dirt aren't hazardous materials; he's fine.

RayRay007

Unless it was a puddle at the garbage dump, I wouldn't be worried. What's the difference b/w playing in a puddle and swimming in a lake?

PayolaCrayola

Idk why ppl always feel the need to criticize other ppl's parenting. I always thought i was going to be a crazy germ a phobe mom and then i just naturally became carefree mom because my DD is ALWAYS getting into things and I would go insane if i worried over everything she got in her hands/mouth. Shes very healthy and happy so thats all that matters!

Karen1998

I'd like to congratulate you on not helicoptering your child.  Seriously.  He'll be fine.  He'll also most likely eat something much, much worse before he's out of toddlerhood.  It's the way they roll. 

etude de la vie

Kimbus22:

When I caught him eating Cheerios covered in cat hair that he pulled out from underneath the area rug, I stopped worrying.  The other day he went to the park and threw mulch around for an hour before lunch. I didn't realize I'd forgotten to wash his hands until he was most of the way through his food.  Oh well!

No big deal!

lol this exactly! Especially with 2 so close in age lots of things happen to slip through the cracks and people say/look but oh well is my response .

DD once ate dirt in handfuls at a public (very busy) park. I tried to clean her up but she already swallowed a lot. I hoped for the best and all was fine (even though I was so embarrassed...she was almost 2.5) 

klibby707

PayolaCrayola:

Idk why ppl always feel the need to criticize other ppl's parenting. I always thought i was going to be a crazy germ a phobe mom and then i just naturally became carefree mom because my DD is ALWAYS getting into things and I would go insane if i worried over everything she got in her hands/mouth. Shes very healthy and happy so thats all that matters!

I have NO idea.  My mom and I had this conversation yesterday!

klibby707

Karen1998:

I'd like to congratulate you on not helicoptering your child.  Seriously.  He'll be fine.  He'll also most likely eat something much, much worse before he's out of toddlerhood.  It's the way they roll. 

Thanks