The war on “clean” was a battle I lost many years ago. It never fails, you see kids from certain families that just look perfect. They are always dressed so nicely and stylish {and CLEAN}.
However, If you are like the rest of us (or my friends and me, at least), then you sometimes wonder what to do when you just can’t keep your kids clean. The struggle is real.
I will tell you my story, I know it’s not the norm, but here goes. I had the cutest, chubbiest little football player baby boy ever. If I had known at being born prematurely at just 4-lbs and in the NICU, that he would plump up in a few months, I would have named him Tank.
He was an island baby from the start, but boy did I fight it. Since birth, my son was active in everything. He loved to move and climb, and I was glad that I could control where he was. I only let him get dirty when I said so and just in certain places where I took him.
I lived in America at the time, and I kept my son clean and tidy. I was the wipe carrying mom that made sure he never had a runny nose; his hands and face were always clean. I didn’t ever let him play outside unless I was there. I fully knew when he would be getting dirty and right in the shower he would go straight afterward.
I could do that in the United States, after all, because it wasn’t really safe for our kids to play outside unsupervised and playrooms worked great for keeping kids clean. However, that wouldn’t last for long. He had a dirty/messy little boy inside him just waiting to come out.
When he was about 5 years old, our family decided to move to an island. I still am not sure what convinced me, except that my husband is awesome. His parents needed help back on the island where he was born, and he is the youngest son, so traditionally the youngest son takes care of the parents.
I tell you what, as soon as we moved here my son was in his zone. There is no “keep-your-kid-clean” here, and his high-energy, boy personality is thriving. Kids are presentable, but then they step out the door, and it’s no holds barred. He was a dirty fool day in day out.
He was able to run and jump and climb coconut trees, jump in ditches and it seems as though he could do all that within about 5 minutes of waking up. I had to learn to let go and let my son enjoy his childhood. He was safe and building his immune system, and I had absolutely no control over it.
That brings me to the question at hand.
What should we do when we can’t keep our kids clean?
This is what I did, and what I still do now that he is 9.
I embrace it!!!!
To save my sanity, I just learned to deal with it.
I let my son play and enjoy his childhood. I remember being a mom who would literally stress out at my children getting dirty. I would always bring extra clothes, and it freaked me out (still freaks me out) to see kids with runny noses and no one caring. I don’t let that happen around me, let’s not go crazy now. However, it literally was driving me nuts. So I let it go, and we are all happier for it. I still carry wipes with me everywhere.
I make sure my son has outside clothes and “nice” clothes.
I refuse to stress myself out about him getting “nice” clothes dirty. I learned to buy second-hand clothes and let him just do whatever in them. He has a few nice clothes that he can’t wear outside to play. Problem solved.
God made dirt and dirt don’t hurt.
This actually is so true. According to the Hygiene Hypothesis, exposure to dirt, pets and everyday germs is good for the body and the soul. The health benefits of being exposed to “dirt” include a stronger immune system, fewer allergies, better digestion, less heart disease, better stress management, and a natural anti-depressant agent.
Basically, letting my kid explore nature and get dirty is not bad for him. It’s good for him, and so I let it go.
Getting dirty and using imagination will beat screen time any day.
We take the good with the bad, right? Well, yes I may get some dirt tracked in the house now and again, but I rather that than have my child addicted to the screen anytime.
Whenever a child would rather go outside than grab a smart device, that is a mom WIN!
There are times when screen time is fine for my kids, however the less, the better. Kids need to create and build on their own imagination, not just have things fed to them on a device. In a world where everything is so easily accessible, it will benefit a child to learn to think for themselves and think of different options to life’s happenings. It will be invaluable to them as an adult.
I plainly, love what being able to explore has done for my son.
I had a tough little boy before moving to this island. However, he really came into his own as he explored nature and was having fun. I got to see just how tough he really was. He got bruises and scratches (some got infected, yes) and learned to play with other kids. I love watching him come home dirty and hungry after playing outside and know he has a comfortable home to go to.
My husband and I are making a little man who isn’t afraid to try new things and yes – he gets super dirty. Like, really dirty. So, we make him come in by the side door that is next to his shower.
I don’t mean to exclude girls out there. I know girls can get just as dirty as boys, if not more. I have seen girls with tutus full of mud out here. I know its frustrating sometimes parents, but remember the benefits and embrace it.
We learn to deal, and we learn to love our son right where he is at, dirty fingernails and all. Sometimes we even have to make him go right back into the shower if he “hasn’t done a good job” and he’s still stinky. We are ok with that.
When you find that you just can’t keep your children clean, embrace it, and let your kids be kids. They will love you for the memories you allowed them to make.
Are you looking for some ideas for outdoor time?
Open-Ended Materials- Ideas for Outside Play and Spaces
Math Games You Can Play Outside
Messy Sensory Activities for Outdoor Play Series: MUD!
Messy Sensory Activities for Outdoor Play Series: Bubbles!
20 Ideas for Nature-Inspired Outdoor Free Play!
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Jeannette is a wife, mother and homeschooling mom. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for God’s sovereignty throughout her life’s journey. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers!
