Children are a disgusting germy hellscape

[tallyoh]

So, full disclosure, I suffer from health anxiety that is quite specifically focussed on a fear of catching sickness bugs. I’ve been seeing a therapist and after 8 sessions have now been signed off. So I figured I’d come and have a rant on here instead.

I’m supposed to be going back to work after maternity leave tomorrow but my 10 month old DD had two settle sessions at nursery last week and has picked up some horrible sickness bug so can’t go back in. I’m on my 4th pair of jeans in 2 days and I’m changing her outfits roughly every 2 hours. Meanwhile she continues to roam around the house touching dribbling on everything in sight. I have a 4 year old DS who is at school and seems fine so far, but keeping them apart before and after school is basically impossible.

I love my kids so much, but sometimes I’m just repulsed by them!

Oh, and to add to the chaos, we’ve got repair work going on in our kitchen and they’re about to disconnect the washing machine for 2 days!!

AIBU to think young children are just horrible germy nightmares?! Is the whole family destined to come down with this thing?

Not seriously look for an answer. Just a rant and some solidarity.

And parasites; don’t forget the parasites!
but they are also super cute (small children, not the parasites!)

Wipes, hand sanitizer and the Dettol aerosol spray got us through a horrific bug in the last few weeks op, best of luck!

Wouldn’t it be better to concentrate on doing what the therapist told you to do? I bet they didn’t tell you to use more Dettol.

The therapist told me to take rational proportionate precautions (controlling what I can control) and then we discussed coping methods for all the fears and anxieties alongside that. Even people who don’t have health anxiety aim to use appropriate cleaning products when their child is ill.

I’m actually doing ok with this whole situation (despite the unpleasantness of it!), somehow the constant fear of getting ill is dulled by the reality, because there actually ARE actions I can take.

But thank you for asking.

I would say that in normal times, when no one’s ill, I do struggle to balance an appropriate amount of handwashing for the kids. We certainly do it a lot more than I did growing up (every time we come into the house from outside/before meals when out of the house/wipes and sanitiser before picnics and woodland snacks etc.)
But I do know a bit of dirt is good for their immune system so I’m not sure where there sweet spot is.

Tbf to mum. She had flown in feom home country and was trapped staying in plague house

Sounds like your kids are doing fine with handwashing, that sounds like just the right amount don't worry. Kids (and adults) should definitely wash their hands before eating. 🙂

OP I share your phobia!
I have had CBT, counselling and edmr therapy but nothing has worked. I’m so open to trying anything I can to get over this as it’s debilitating and SO hard to manage with young children!

you’re absolutely right though! I never expected how I intense the illnesses are in these childhood years! Its absolutely relentless!!!

If your office is anything like mine, as soon as the colder weather kicks in it can be like a doctor's waiting room with people coughing, sneezing and sniffing. Your DC won't seem half as bad by comparison.