to take my own toys?

Imagine you were at someone's house and they used a spoon, licked it clean, then gave it to you to use. Would you mind, would you be happy?

I'd think it was bit odd, as they could have given me a clean spoon but I wouldn't be that fussed.

I went to a restaurant with a group of friends recently and we shared our puds - each had a spoon and we dug in. That would really give you the heebie jeebies wouldn't it?!

I used to take DS to a singing session where they'd hand out instruments. Of course, all the babies immediately put them into their mouths for a good chew! Not sure if they ever got washed. One mum used to bring a shaker from home for her DC and I thought she was a bit precious and rude.

DS is 3.5 and has never had an upset stomach. Never been ill at all actually, other than chicken pox and the odd cold.

DS is sitting beside me watching Cbeebies, FWIW.

My DD and her best friend used to spend half the summer outside looking for woodlice and creating playgroups and nurseries for them in amongst the sandpit. TBH even at 8 and 9 they still do at times.

Mond you, at leatst they were only handling them, and pretending to feed them, rock them in cots or making playgrounds for them, and afaik they never actually tried to eat one!

if it bothers you that much then don't go. there are so many baby/toddler groups and activities to go to these days why waste your time at one where you squirm every time your baby touches something?

I am now reminded of my eleven year old self refusing to touch the grotto rock at Lourdes. The place was crammed with sick people with all sorts of terrible afflictions and no way would I kiss the rock the way you are supposed to. Maybe I have been too quick to judge the OP.

This isn't for real. Someone who finds other people's behaviour so shocking and abhorrent wouldn't give a shit what others thought of them prissying around with Dettol and their own toys.

Babies love germs, and germs love babies. You can't fight romance, workinggally.

Sorry waterbottle

Oh forgot to say re the spoon question - don't generally use orher peoples spoons (most of my friends have more than one) but I do go to a church where we celebrate communion with a communal cup -the congregation hasn't died out yet. Also lent my waterbotyle to a stranger at an exercise class recently...... Over to you.

Love this thread. Poor OP is going to feel really persecuted though because everyone's laughing at her! Seriously, OP, you need to get a grip. If it helps then exposing your child to lots of germs early on helps build a strong immune system and has been shown to reduce the chances of leukaemia among other things.

Yes avoid the truly manky toys (plush animals etc), but in fact most organisms struggle to survive for extended periods on hard surfaces (like most plastic toys), and the risk is minimal.

I keep a large box of toys in my consulting room for the (well) children to play with and personally wash everything each week to remove biscuit concretions etc. This is, however, more to keep the toys in good condition for longer, rather than because of concern over hygiene. I throw out items that cannot be cleaned or which get vomit (or worse) on them.

oh ok last to get it as usual just saw the other thread!

Trip Trap Trip Trap

Oh another one of your weird threads - I am not sorry I wasted time on your nursery thread - I mistakenly thought you were a genuine poster, I now see I was completely wasting my time. Hope you are pleased with yourself. Please don't name change - I like knowing who the under bridge dwellers are.

Bonkers and Asinine - thanks, but then I wouldn't get my wine.....

Had to have a look at the 10 nappies a day thread - you say your baby is 8 months old on there.

Yet you dont let him on slides or swings !

I would in all honesty be v worried about you having some sort of anxiety disorder.

I feel sorry for your child and all the experiences he will miss out on because of your "problems"

honeydragon they dont chew the fish they suck and drool, the lizards are a bit quick for them

Anyway I have to get back to wrapping anything my dc may chew in cling film, I just know the slide and trampoline are going to be bloody hard to do on my own and just what does one do with grass nasty yukky unhygenic green stuff

what is happening to their children at these times?

One is at school, the other will be napping at nursery. I am on my lunch break at work.

bunny Lego will wash in the dishwasher in a mesh bag

I have stopped smirking at this thread to try and answer the OP sensibly

I really think you need to get a grip on this kind of anxiety or you will drive yourself to an early grave :( I assume your baby is not yet mobile and when (s)he is, you will realise the utter futility of what you are suggesting

As for the spoon licking question, it's a bit different isn't it. I think it is the thought of licking something that might be germy that puts me off. In reality, my brain knows that 99 times out of 100, licking someone elses's spoon won't harm me

This is quite apart from the whole issue of sharing among children and the filthy looks you will get from the other moms who will think you are, at best neurotic, and at worst a stuck up cow who thinks the playgroup isn't good enough for their PFB

Really OP you need to think about this a bit less and enjoy your time with your baby

(anf FYI my kids are at school and I'm on lunch. HTH)

Bunnynamedstanely Dishwasher.

Workinggally - if you (and all your friends) are concerned about the cleanliness of the toys get yourselves on the committee and arrange to improve the situation. Our Playgroup has a regular toy cleaning evening, parents turn up with rubber gloves basins etc and we all sit around and have a natter while washing 3 million bits of lego. We've even had the local Guides into help. We have wine and nibbles too ( not for the guides though!).

I would like to politely suggest that instead of moaning to strangers about it you take some positive action. BTW my 2 three year olds are currently playing beautifully together in the other room while I make lunch. Not everyone has babies who need constant attention and you are going to get pretty short shrift on MN if you accuse everyone who disagrees with you of neglect.

bloody hell would love to be a fly on the wall when your LO puts his hand in his shitty nappy and smears it all over the place

My DS2 used to eat rabbit poo!

Have not read whole thread but the obvious solution is to offer to take the toys away one week and put them through your washing machine/ dishwasher? Just tell the leader that you love coming but you are a bit of a 'clean freak'. She will probably be happy for you to do this.

Taking your own toys, especially if they are newer and better than what's there already is guaranteed to result in cringeworthy altercations about who can or can't play with certain toys.

Don't spoil the children with luxuries like lizard for lunch. Let them eat Go-Cat. It seemed to work for mine.

squeaky that link had made me larf till I got hurted.

helenthemadex I'm all for benign parenting but you have to draw a line. And that line is

DON'T LET YOUR DC'S CHEW THE FUCKING GOLDFISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(get a lizard instead)

what is happening to their children at these times?

I know almost exactly what is happening to my children while I'm hanging around being critical helpful on MN.

ds1 is almost certainly about to go to bed - he's in Auckland and has to be up for work in the morning. ds2 has just phoned to say the kettle is on ready for my arrival. Oh, and that in the meantime, his daughter has thoughtfully been sick on the clean shirt he was silly enough to put on before he fed her.

I have their permission to neglect them while I hang around on the internetty.

Do these groups have to be Ofsted inspected? If so, then there will rules on how often they clean the toys.