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Do you often freak out when you find your child's clothes soiled, his hands dirty from playing outside?
Don't worry. A little (or a little bit more) dirt won't hurt your kids. A line of thinking called hygiene hypothesis suggests that "when exposure to parasites, bacteria, and viruses is limited early in life, children face a greater chance of having allergies, asthma, and other autoimmune diseases during adulthood."
Being dirty once in a while can be fun, and your kids can benefit from the experience. Here's a list of reasons why you should let them:
They get to bond with their friends.
Let him run around and kick some dirt around. Don't worry about his crisp, linen shorts getting soiled on the slide. The most important thing is for your child to have as much fun and memorable childhood experiences as he can while he's still young.
Dirty kids feel free.
They don't feel scared that you might get mad at them when they come home with stained shirts. They know you won't mind dirt on their clothes, so they simply become kids wherever they are—playing, exploring, and creating memorable experiences.
Dirty kids aren't always dirty because they've been naughty.
Not all kids come home looking dirty just for the sake of it. Maybe he just rescued a puppy from the rain, or even went out of his way to help other people. When your child comes home dirty, ask him why. He might have an exciting story to tell.
Understand that behind every stain, there can be a beautiful story—a story of creativity, joy, or an initiative to do something good. Let kids be kids because at the end of the day, it's easier to wash away stains than it is to bring up a good child. Watch this video and see what these moms discovered.
