Thank you to P&G’s Have You Tried This Yet? program and Kroger for sponsoring my writing about trying new things and breaking out of my everyday routine. Click here to find great savings on high-performing P&G products at a Kroger store near you. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a mother. I had dreams of sweet smelling babies cuddled up close to me, but once my babies were born I realized that it wasn’t always like I envisioned. In fact, it was hardly ever like I imagined come to think of it. Between spit up and dirty diapers, the only times they smelled sweet was right after bath time.
Now that my children are older, the youngest being two, they love to spend time outdoors. We live on two acres out in the country and there is so much to do outside. We have an amazing play set outside with swings, slide, monkey bars, fort, etc. and the children really enjoy it. We also have a trampoline that gets tons of use.
I love letting the children play outside because not only do they get their daily dose of Vitamin D, they get to burn off all that extra energy. But what I’ve failed to mention thus far is I’m totally OCD about them not getting dirty while they are outside playing. I know I’m weird but the thought of dirtiness all of my children just makes my skin crawl. I don’t mind the occasional fall with a little dirt on the knees or something like that, but really I prefer that they either play on the trampoline, up in the play set or ride their bikes on the driveway. They know my OCD all too well because when they ask to play outside, they begin it with, “We won’t get dirty”. Some would probably say I’m a horrible mom for not allowing my children to intentionally get dirty, but like I said, it’s an OCD thing and I’m trying to be more relaxed about it.
In fact, I have pictures to prove that I’m not always such a stickler. We had a light afternoon shower and my son wanted to play in the rain – right in the mud. And, I let him. It was quite exhilarating watching him enjoy himself. I felt a bit overwhelmed but at the same time it was also an empowering moment. I tried something different and not only did I enjoy it, my little guy had a blast.
Sharon says
Mud play is always fun, sometimes you just gotta let loose and let them go at it.
Jenn says
How fun! I’ll admit, I am very reluctant to let my kids get gross outside… sometimes I just let ’em go, though. It’s easier when we’re already home. I have had many times where the kids played in mud puddles and then in dirt and sand and then had to bring them home with no change of clothes, towels, etc to make sure they didn’t track it all over the place (their car seat, the back of our car’s seats, the floorboard, etc).
Now I keep extra towels and wipies in the car just in case!!
Jessica~Mom of all Trades says
Hi there! I’m a new follower from The Pitch List 🙂
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
I actually let my kids play outside in the mist and mud today. We had baths afterwards, I washed off their shoes and immediately threw their clothes in the wash. Not something I’d want to do every day, but I was so glad they got outside time after this long long winter.
Theresa says
I hate it too when my kids get dirty outside, but just rediscovered the joy in it myself last year. We were in the middle of a yard sale when it started to pour down rain. By the time we got everything back in the house, we were soaked. Puddles were all over the yard and in the street. I grabbed my kids hands and we had a blast jumping in the puddles. We had such a great time! I still get grossed out at times when they come in filthy, but have learned to stop sweating the little things. It’s just dirt. It washes off. They are only kids for such a short time, let them enjoy the dirt while they still want to be wild and carefree!
Henria O. says
I know…sometimes I too forget that I need to loosen the reigns and let my kids be kids. Thanks for reminding us how exhilarating and satisfying that can be!