Yeah- I agree with new.slang- I also don't think gloves are a good idea. And sanitizers like purell also aren't effective against noroviruses.


I can understand the fear- I really do. But the fear is yours, and you don't want them to end up with it as well, because you know how hard it can be. By all means- clean the house like crazy, and take every precaution to avoid being sick yourself, but when it comes to the kids, let them be 'normal'.


Making your kids do something like this can make them start to become paranoid as well, as they know they are doing something that sets them apart from the other kids. They can also start viewing germs and being sick as so bad/horrible that they need to take extraordinary precautions to avoid it.


Also, them wearing gloves and relying on purell can actually make it worse when they are sick, because they aren't able to built up their immune system. Your body needs to "learn" how to fight illness/harmful bacteria- this happens through exposure. If they aren't being exposed to bacteria, then their body won't know what to do when it doescome in contact with it. This is why antibacterial products are now being linked with things like worsening allergies and asthma.


As for viruses (edited to add: I mean noroviruses in particular)- you don't develop an immunity to them because they constantly alter their makeup- but they do help build your immune system, because like I previously mentioned, your body "learns" how to fight off illness. This is why a lot of kids are sick when they are younger and first enter school- but then it tapers off as they get older and their immune systemgets fortified.


I know having a sick kid is probably the scariest thing for a parent- especially when you have this phobia. I know that, that is what I am dreading the most. But, I think to a certain point we have to suck it up so our kids don't end up with the same fear.


*amber*Edited by: crimgoddess