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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to take my own toys?

157 replies

workinggally · 26/05/2011 11:42

I take my dc to quite a lot of baby groups but the toys at some of them I think are quite unhygienic. Never washed and in all the babies mouths. One of the leaders at one said she washed them once a term as though this was really frequent, I'm sure some of the others might be even less frequent.

I was a bit shocked at the situation the first times I went but everyone else seemed to think things were ok so I just went along with it.

Anyway now my dc is unwell which could be due to unhygienic toys. (Although of course he could have caught it somewhere else).

Anyway to put my mind at rest in the future would it be ok to take my own toys for dc to play with? We don't want to stop going altogether as we enjoy the songs/ socialising.

Have other people ever taken their own toys? Tbh a lot of the stuff at these groups is older/ less nice than what he has at home, so it seems a shame to be exposed to infection unecessarily.

OP posts:
QueenofDreams · 26/05/2011 12:41

Yikes.

However, can anyone tell me how to get DS to actually be messy? He has a complete hissy if he gets anything on his hands and HAS to have them wiped, pronto. He will not finger paint, touch playdough or get muddy. He's funny about walking on grass, woodchips and mud. He even has a strop trying to eat toast without getting jam on his fingers. I really don't know where he gets this from! He's the only two year old I know that insists on having his nose wiped if he's snotty

TeeBee · 26/05/2011 12:40

Ha ha ha Squeaky. OP, I don't think need to worry too much about restricting numbers to your sterile playgroup Wink. Certainly not after week one.

Debs75 · 26/05/2011 12:40

YANBU When I ran a toddler group we used dettol multi surface spray on the toys after each session, it was only a quick spray and we didn't scrub them so I guess some germs remained. If a toy was sick on or was obv dirty then it was washed. All toys were washed every 2 months.

Then again you are being a bit PFB most germs on hard surfaces die after a couple of days so they toys from last week their germs would of died by time the next group was on.

Taking your own toys is a bit rude as you are bound to cause arguments when other kids want to play with them.

QueenCee · 26/05/2011 12:39

Ok... Stop now! My stomach muscles are hurting from laughing!!! Love the nursery pic Squeaky!!!

helenthemadex · 26/05/2011 12:39

have you considered taking a steam steriliser to the playgroup and steaming all the toys before use, if this is not practical what about cling film wrapped securely round the toy that is being played with it keeps the germs in

just off to put rabbits and guinea pig in the dishwasher, any idea how to sterilise the goldfish?

ChristinedePizan · 26/05/2011 12:38

The reason I don't use an unwashed cup is because as an adult, I don't enjoy the feel of someone else's dried saliva on the side of the cup. I do use the same mug all day long though.

I have never washed my DS's toys either, even though he still puts them in his mouth at the age of 4. I wonder if my friends are discreetly whipping out a Milton wipe when I'm not looking? :o

clayre · 26/05/2011 12:36

Ive laughed so much i cried at this thread now im off to boil the cats! What do you think is the best way to sterilise the guinea pigs?

ForeverNamechanging · 26/05/2011 12:36

He does struggle a little Honeydragon so much so ive considered waxing him. This would save me time, scratches and will be more hygienic.

Honeydragon · 26/05/2011 12:36

Just in case anyone is concerned I am currently singing

"down in the Jungle" to dd whilst she dance's and we are waiting for the Broccoli soup to heat up and then cool for lunch. And Mnetting too as it gets a little repetitive.

I will then sprinkle some Stilton in it as it's yummy. Yes that's right I'm going to make the baby EAT MOULD. Mwah ha ha ha haaa!

< hygiene hedonist>

kerala · 26/05/2011 12:35

I had my back turned last week and my two year old was solemnly licking live snails.

squeakytoy · 26/05/2011 12:35

I answered your spoon question...ya fruitloop!

And my "children" are 27, 26 and 23, so I really dont have a clue what they are doing right now.... but when the 27yo was 3, she was usually found in the garden eating woodlice... she survived.

QueenCee · 26/05/2011 12:34

I can't stop laughing at this thread! I actually have tears!

sadiesadiemarriedlady · 26/05/2011 12:34

If this is all you have to worry about in life OP then you are a very lucky person. Perspective. Get some.

worraliberty · 26/05/2011 12:34

Oh I'd love to see a mother's meet up like that. Will they all turn up with white gloves and give your house the once over to make sure there are no germs? Grin

Olivetti · 26/05/2011 12:34

Oooh it sounds a laugh a minute. What about air-borne germs though? Will you wear masks?

QueenCee · 26/05/2011 12:33

What? OP, are you actually crazy????

StewieGriffinsMom · 26/05/2011 12:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
workinggally · 26/05/2011 12:31

Maybe on mnet people project a much hardier image that what they are actually like in RL because a lot of my friends are also concerned about hygiene. It is not just me.

I think they sterile playgroup would be fine. I would need to restrict numbers though as there is not enough room for too many and people have a tendency to want to pile in I think (this has happened before when inviting people round). I obviously couldn't charge anything - it would be more of a mothers meet up.

OP posts:
Honeydragon · 26/05/2011 12:31

I bet when you try and do his whiskers he's a right bastard.

safran · 26/05/2011 12:31

Really really hope there is a mirror thread to this one in about a weeks time

  • AIBU to be offended that one of the Mums thinks my playgroup is unhygenic
or even possibly...
  • AIBU to have laughed at this nutter who brought her own toys to playgroup
snailoon · 26/05/2011 12:30

YABVU. What about the baby sucking on all that sanitising liquid- it probably causes cancer or something. If you had several kids you wouldn't have time for worries like this.
Does it occur to people that they are endangering their children by supervising and overprotecting them? In addition parents like this are extremely annoying!!!

ForeverNamechanging · 26/05/2011 12:30

All of him Olivetti He's a bit indignant about it but he prefers a quick boil to a bleach bath.

Say no to germs!

QueenCee · 26/05/2011 12:30

Forever and honeydragon are making my day! I'm laughing out loud like a crazy lady! Loving the image I have sterilising the cat! Even if op is being a twat, this thread is tres funny!

Honeydragon · 26/05/2011 12:29

Forever, right I'll try the dog in the dishwasher then, 20 minutes at 60 degrees should do it.

I'm not totally unreasonable, I'll take the top basket out so she doesn't get hit by the whirly sprayer Wink

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