Germs and Kids: Keep Your Kid Away From Mine!

I've never been one to want to put my child in a bubble. I actually encourage outdoor activities that may result in skinned knees and "horse-play" from time to time. I even love the occasional shower-free weekend of camping and catching my child munching on dirt because he just "had to know what it tasted like."

However, since becoming a mother and having my son admitted to the hospital at 5 weeks with Rotavirus, the idea of germs turns me into a little bit of a freak. Public restrooms make me nervous. When it comes to shopping carts I thank God for the invention of hand sanitizer. Poor child can forget about going in the Play- Place on my watch! I'm a bit of a playdateaphobic if you will. I couldn't even keep my son in day-care for more than a day ... I don't think that's why they call it day-care. The mere thought of every surface in the place being contaminated by a million coughing, sneezing, runny nose rug-rats is enough to send me into a full on panic attack.

So please excuse me if I cancel our plans for a picnic in the park because last time your child came over he forgot to wash his hands after he went to the restroom. Try not to be offended when I tell my son to play on the swings instead of climbing the wall next to your child (who I just saw sucking the snot off of his top lip).

It maybe selfish but I quite enjoy my nights of un-interrupted sleep and booger-free kisses. So, I'm sorry, but I just don't want your germ mobile next to mine. With all due respect: Keep your kid away from mine!