To not want to take my kids to farms

[Lifeohlifeohhhlife]

Have a 5 month old and 3 Yr old.

I must admit I'm a bit of clean freak at home. Anyway I've never taken my kids to a farm. One of the first questions a Dr asked me at a and e when my baby was very ill was 'have they had any bbq food or been to any farms?!' and its kinda stuck with me..

Im sure I will take them eventually just really nervous while they are so young and vulnerable...... and would really like to take them sooner rather then later.

I know aibu but does anyone feel the same about all that animal poo and germs?! Happy for people to talk me out of this one or show some solidarity if you feel the same..

Tbh it's not necessary to visit tourist farms in order to have a happy fulfilled childhood so if you don't want to take your kids to one, don't. They're weird places anyway. I mean, what goes on in them has bugger all to do with most of the food that you/your kids eat and they're full of people sat around eating massive scones on dubious looking outdoor furniture.

Your 3 year old will love it and it's a really positive experience for them. DD2 is 3 and loves going to our local farm to see the pigs, sheep and the donkeys. As long as you wash your hands thoroughly afterwards there's no issue and most of these places have anti bac gel dotted around anyway.

I'd also agree that you're much safer in terms of germs at a farm than going into a soft play centre....those places are grim (although I still take DDs because they love it!)

I do agree with you regarding having a thumb sucker. I would probably think twice in that situation.

I find farms a bit gross myself as I hate the smell and don't like touching the animals. My husband does all the things like feeding the goats etc with them. I don't worry about them getting ill from visiting the farm though and we have been a few times as a family.

Where do you think food comes from? YABVU.

It doesn't come from Mr Fluffy's Stroking Paddock (adults £8, children £4, order at the till before taking your seat in the cafe, please supervise children on the wooden fort), that's for sure.

@ByeByeBoree it does, how do you think they have an endless supply of fluffy lambs each year. The previous years lambs will have been sent off for finishing by the time next years lambs appear for petting.

Yes that happens unfortunately and you can get very sick. The associated vomiting is horid and it does kill vulnerable people.
The most common way of getting it is in the home from not cooking chicken properly or handling cooked food after raw meat and not washing hands.
The general incidents of food poisoning in the home have reduced due to covid hand washing, which is one good thing.

@ClareBlue - I got mine from chicken in a restaurant and yes it was the worst two weeks of my life. I genuinely thought it was the end for me at one point.

In a way I think the farm is safer as people are more aware of the need to wash hands etc

I'd feel safer with children at most farms than many other places. Not been with kids but when I have gone, there are hand washing places etc, and a keen eye on safety.

Probably the five month old would just sleep through it- perhaps a 6 and 3 year old going (in 2025) might mean they both love it.

Plenty of hand washing stations in most farms we have visited. Just make sure to wash hands

Wrap them up on cotton wool for ever then
My kids love animals so do I
A bit of pooo
Who cares

@kewgirl - that’s harsh, the OP has already explained it’s likely anxiety stemming from the pandemic.

Back before H&S I turned my back on DD (now 17, then 2) for a minute and she climbed up a cow that had been lying down.
Luckily it didn’t move and she was unharmed.
Both my DC have been mixing with a variety of animals from a very early age and have never got ill from it and have had some amazing experiences

Exposure to germs is good for building immune systems.

Sorry @Hoppinggreen I had to laugh as the image of that is brilliant and exactly the sort of thing my child would do!