Germs, Germs, and More Germs! Help!

Unless he is getting a life-threatening disease, take him. What are you going to do when he goes to kindergarten and is around 24 other kids who sneeze, touch each other, don't wash their hands after going to the bathroom, and come to school sick? While I would never suggest that someone purposely expose their child to an inordinant amount of germs and viruses, I think that what your child wants to do is 'normal' and part of 'growing up'. Being in his house in a sterile environment has not really given his immune system a chance to build up any resistance.

At the same time, you really do take your chances when you drop your kid off at a babysitter like in Bally's. Those places typically are not licensed by the state and the caregivers may have had zero training in child care or safety.

You know what, with the winter (illnesses)that we've had this year, I don't think it would matter if you take him to the gym or not. He's gonna catch this crap anywhere. I too am stay at home mom and was in the same exact spot as you are now. I say stick with going to the gym, we're getting out of the bad sickness time, it's good for you and he both to get that break from each other, and it's a good way for him to get the inter-action with other kids.

HI T.,

I feel you, but you have to be careful of those child watches at gyms. Parents take their kids when they're sick cos a work out is more important to them.
Employees are minimum wage and they aren't too troubled with disinfecting toys all day as they should.

Reality is, they are nasty places for illneses. Both of my kids and 2 of my friend's kids got so sick, one week they all got the same thing, only the older one was like 14 months and I had a 3 month old who suffered with diarreah and vomiting for WEEKS.

Well, 1 of my friends continued taking her son and he's not getting sick as often. My other friend and I have opted to work out from home.

I think that wahtever decision you make is what is right for you, but just expect it. And they do have to get sick to build immunity, for me, my newborn was the deal breaker as he was too young.
High fevers are very dangerous, a friend of mine's son wasn't able to fight off high fevers and ended up in a comma.
Sorry, don't meant to scare you, just weigh all your options carefully, maybe while he's this young you can take turns going to the gym with your husband....

If your son hasn't been around a lot of kids, he's probably more likely to catch bugs from the play center at the gym. It's not because the play center is dirty, it's just cause kids carry every bug known to man :) Since you're a stay at home mom, he's probably not been exposed to tons of outside germs. He needs to build up his immune system and this is the way to do it. Soon we'll be out of this cruddy weather and he'll be fine. I wouldn't stop going to the gym. It sounds like he really likes it, and so do you!

Am I the only person left in the parenting world that believes that germs are a part of life? Or just the only parent who has read the literature on how all of these new 'antibacterial' products are just setting the stage for some 'superbug' to come along and get us all?

I'm really not trying to be rude, I have used the clorox wipes myself, and see the necessity of having a clean house, but what's happened to good old soap and water? Humanity has lasted a few thousand years, even with germs around, so what gives?

My cousin has twins that are between my 2nd and 3rd child in age--my cousin is a clean freak, and also uses all of the antibacterial products, guess what? Her kids are sick a lot more often than my kids are. They have no immunity because they have never been exposed to anything. Please just think about it.

I'm with everyone else--he needs to build up immunity sometime, and it is probably better that it happen now than when he is in school and has to keep missing days for bering sick.
There's nothing wrong with being clean, but going overboard with disinfecting everything just creates further problems down the road. Plus, don't forget that getting workouts will help boost your immune system too! And the socialization will do him a world of good...