My tiny triumph... :)

[ren2005]

Ever since I became a mom, I am a nutcase with washing my sons hand. Huge panic and anxiety set in if he is touching something when we are out and about. Playgrounds..etc. I always carry bottled water and soap almost everywhere we go.
Sad, I know.

Anyway, on Tuesday, I took him to the playground. I had never heard of this before, but another mom was telling me that there was some kind of program going on where these people come and feed kids lunch. It really is very nice. My son eats at home, no problem..but he was saying he was thirsty. The lady is like...he can have a chocolate milk , but he has to have a lunch too.
Basically, you cant have one without the other.

So, as hard as it was for me...as hard as it was.... He sat down with all the other little kids at the picnic table and loved every second of having his chocolate milk and they had a sandwich, brocolli and pears. He didn't like anything they were really serving anyway. LOL

Anyway, I didn't get to wash his hands before this..which was high anxiety for me, my purse was all the way in the car with the soap and water. But I didn't want to make a fool of myself and go running for it, so the lady had sanitizer for his hands..which we all know does nothing really. I let him use that and let him pick at his food (he mostly drank the milk..but touched the straw all over) Every second bothered me and I cringed thinking about his germy hands... but I did it!!!

He only just turned 3 and is not in day care yet or pre school... so he LOVED being with the other kiddos and drinking his chocolate milk..etc. It made me happy for him!!!

Last thing I want to do is screw my son up with MY problems. So yeah...I got threw it and he is fine! (Although it was only 2 days ago...praying he doesn't catch anything)

[mdgirl1977]

as a fellow mom, I applaud you! I try so hard everyday to not completely lose my god forsaken mind. My son is 7 1/2 and it is a struggle. He it at camp ALL day and even though I put wet wipes and sanitizer in his bag, he never uses them. It is tough. my son knows I am nutty about the handwashing and he hates it and actually shoves his dirty fingers in his mouth just to spite me! sometimes you just have to throw your hands up and laugh.

Good for you though! I know it was very very hard for you but you pushed through, took lots of deep breaths and just let him be a kid. And I am sure it made a huge impace on him.

[ren2005]

Thanks MDGirl! As your son got older...did you find it a little bit easier??? I know when my son eventually goes off to pre school /school/camp...that I will be sending along the wipes, instilling into his head about washing up before he eats...etc. If I think I am bad now..and he is not even in school yet... OH BOY! I am in trouble!! LOL
But you are right...you do have to just throw your hands up and laugh. You really do. Life moves fast...and before we know it, they will be graduating..out of the house.
Thanks for your input. I appreciate all the advice from other moms who suffer!
I feel like nobody quite understands my problems. All I hear from other friends is...Oh get used to it, he will be sick all the time once he starts school..etc.
NOT very comforting!

[mdgirl1977]

well, they will get sick, but it is about teaching them proper hygiene without making them feel nuts. I definitely cross over....my son hates how much I nag him to wash his hands. He is with his dad half the time and my ex doesn't even own soap! I buy bottles for the bathroom but I doubt they even use them. I figure if he washes his hands after bathroom and before eating, it is SOMETHING.

Most people don't get it...why we care so much. It is annoying and I understand. I just don't tell anyone my fear except this board and my one best friend. I'm very good at hiding it. My son has learned over the years that he needs to wash hands before pizza and stuff at parties, he doesn't take food from anyone when we are out because I have snacks, etc. He is learning. It takes time, though. Just last night he asked me why people v and he said "omg is it because they put germs in their mouth and it goes to their belly and makes them sick??" and I said yes and it was like a giant light bulb went off over his head!

[ren2005]

Yeah nobody knows that I am emet... I just say that I am a complete germ a phobe!!
I feel ashamed. LOL

Thanks again, for your advice...makes me feel better.
I bet that is so frustrating with your ex not having soap in the house..how gross is that???!! UGH!!!!!

Glad your son is catching on... I hope my son does too, as he gets older!
He already does ask to wash his hands at certain times. But I hope he really understands as he gets older.