Need help from fellow Germ-o-phobes

[MushyMushy]

I've been to Disney 15 times, and never been sick once. I sit on toilet seats I sleep under the bedspread, heck I will sit on it naked. I walk on hotel room carpets barefooted I hold handrails, I drink from water fountains. I don't use Purell. I go in the hottubs

Okay, now I'm scared!

That reminds me. How many people put towels down when they sit by the pool or thereabouts? I was always fine sitting on chairs until I saw some, er, parts hanging out of bathing suits and I realized how close their skin was to the chairs.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

What I'm curious to know is how did this thread, which was intended for others to lend support to the OP and others like her, become one to solely judge her and the rest of us?

This thread has turned into a place for those who think we're "over the top" in protecting our children and ridicule us for our precautions. Which is fine, I'm thick skinned - I work with teenagers for a living so I can handle an array of differing opinions and attitudes.

But, what upsets me the most about this is all of the debating here has just fueled the "mommy war" fire even more. Judging a parent for doing what is best for them and their family irritates me to no end! Especially in this case since using a little Purell and wiping off some handles doesn't constitute as child abuse or neglect. If half the people I know, on forums especially, used their passion and energy to help others and to help prevent the true mistreatment of children in the world in which we live - it would be a much better place.

 

[720L]

"Disney in no more or less 'germy' than any other public place. Malls, movie theaters, daycare centers, doctor's offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants, airports, public transportation. You run the same risk at Target as you do at Disney."

I am only this careful at Disney because I don't want our vacation ruined by sickness! Chill out! And what is wrong with changing a baby in a stroller? And since you are being so critical of everyone else, I find it disgusting that you sit on public toilets without covering them and naked on the hotel bedspreads---way too gross.

 

[tjlovespooh]

What I'm curious to know is how did this thread, which was intended for others to lend support to the OP and others like her, become one to solely judge her and the rest of us?

This thread has turned into a place for those who think we're "over the top" in protecting our children and ridicule us for our precautions. Which is fine, I'm thick skinned - I work with teenagers for a living so I can handle an array of differing opinions and attitudes.

But, what upsets me the most about this is all of the debating here has just fueled the "mommy war" fire even more. Judging a parent for doing what is best for them and their family irritates me to no end! Especially in this case since using a little Purell and wiping off some handles doesn't constitute as child abuse or neglect. If half the people I know, on forums especially, used their passion and energy to help others and to help prevent the true mistreatment of children in the world in which we live - it would be a much better place.

You summed up everything I've been thinking

 

[Kimmie5870]

What I'm curious to know is how did this thread, which was intended for others to lend support to the OP and others like her, become one to solely judge her and the rest of us?

This thread has turned into a place for those who think we're "over the top" in protecting our children and ridicule us for our precautions. Which is fine, I'm thick skinned - I work with teenagers for a living so I can handle an array of differing opinions and attitudes.

But, what upsets me the most about this is all of the debating here has just fueled the "mommy war" fire even more. Judging a parent for doing what is best for them and their family irritates me to no end! Especially in this case since using a little Purell and wiping off some handles doesn't constitute as child abuse or neglect. If half the people I know, on forums especially, used their passion and energy to help others and to help prevent the true mistreatment of children in the world in which we live - it would be a much better place.

I don't think anyone believes that every 'germ a phobe' on this thread is over the top. I believe that there are some posters who have legitimate reasons for being so careful about germs. On the other hand I believe that a few posters are way over the top and exaggerating what their told by doctors to make excuses for their Phobias.

I'm sorry if this makes others angry but IMO some of these parents are letting their phobias control them and in the process they're pushing those phobias onto their children. Isn't that harmful to a child?

 

[udsweetpea]

I'm in shock we all survived childhood without Purell! Seriously, what were our mothers thinking taking us to Disney World without the necessary sanitary items?!?!

 

[Georgia]

Seriously! I don't think it is appropriate for a baby to be changed in a stroller, on a bench or on a table any more than I think it is appropriate for a 4 YO to pee in the bushes. Or a 3 YO to crap in the back of a van. That is just over the top IMO.

Not all the germophobes on this thread have preemies or kids with low immune systems- in fact if you do, you're NOT a germaphobe. A phobia is an irrational fear; keeping a medically fragile child healthy is not irrational.

I've been to Disney 15 times, and never been sick once. I sit on toilet seats I sleep under the bedspread, heck I will sit on it naked. I walk on hotel room carpets barefooted I hold handrails, I drink from water fountains. I don't use Purell. I go in the hottubs

Disney in no more or less 'germy' than any other public place. Malls, movie theaters, daycare centers, doctor's offices, hospitals, schools, restaurants, airports, public transportation. You run the same risk at Target as you do at Disney.

ME TOO!!! I've stopped myself from posting because several months ago I posted to a germ-a-phobe thread on a twin board and was called everything but a horrible mother because it didn't bother me that strangers touch my twins feet or pinch their cheeks.

I've had twins...in the NICU and I'm still not a germ-a-phobe. Also, my daughter had a bone infection when she was 2. I specifically asked the Pedi. if something like Purell would have helped...his response was maybe...maybe not.

I love this post about doctor's offices...if I were going to ship cleaning products some place it certainly wouldn't be my WDW hotel. It would have been the top-ranked children's hospital my daughter spent a week in that the corners of the room weren't mopped the entire week.

 

[mytwotinks]

I am admitting first that I have not read all 12 pages of these posts!

There are some things here that are really confusing to me. I don't get being a germaphobe and having your kid go to the bathroom in your car. The reason that we use a restroom is that when a person "does there business" there are germs. The whole point of a restroom is to contain those germs in one spot, right???? I think that anyone comfortable having their kid poo in their car can not really call themselves a germaphobe. I mean really, if I found out that one of my friends did that we would not be accepting rides from them any more. There is no place to wash your hands after you poo in a car! Yuck!!!!!!

 

[phillybeth]

And since you are being so critical of everyone else, I find it disgusting that you sit on public toilets without covering them and naked on the hotel bedspreads---way too gross.

So does my mother.

I think MAKING a kid crap in the back of a van disgusting and gross. It's one thing if you are potty-training and are out and about with no access to facilities. If you saw a grown person doing that you would call 911!

As to waht is wrong with changing a baby in a stroller, I think that has been coevered already. If you can change a baby's diaper in a stroller, then I should be able to change my diaper-wearing handicapped uncle in his wheelchair in public. Same principle.

 

[2poohbears]

This high chair cover looks to be lightweight and easy to fold up for travel:
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4631195
I think my SIL had one like it.

Here's another:
http://www.cleanshopper.com/index.php?cPath=22

This one rolls ups and seems to provide more coverage than the other 2:
http://www.inventiveparent.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?preadd=action&key=SFTYCCOM

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Okay, this thread has gone on far enough. Many posters here were very close to the line as far as getting infractions. Perhaps I am too easy going when it comes to giving out points. Since I tend to be sarcastic in real life I sometimes read things and wonder if the level of sarcasm was okay or too much.

I believe that everyone is entitled to an opinion, but it is not okay to beat everyone else over the head with your opinion. Since I am not a germophobe this wouldn't be a thread that would normally call out to me for reading, but since I am a mod here I read it through. Yes there were things that I would consider germophobic, but considering what the posters have gone though with premees and sick babies I understand their caution. What I have a harder time dealing with is the "it's a public forum so I can say whatever I want" bully attitude from posters on both sides of the fence and on other threads on the DIS boards as well.

In this specific situation -- parenting is about choices. You do what's right for you and your family. Whether you Purell Walt Disney World or not it's up to you.

I don't want to be the queen of giving out infractions. But if I have to be more vigilant I will be.