One of my pet peeves, and I hope many other moms too, are germs. I am a stiffler about people washing their hands. My husband and I even wash our hands before we pick up our son for fear of contaminating him with a flesh eating disease. I am even worse when we visit family and friends and vice versa, because naturally everyone wants a chance to hold a new baby. Washing hands for some people is second nature for others who are not used to baby’s its not. What is worse is when you receive the “OMG do you think I have crap on my hands” stare from family members. It is not a hard request, and recently on a family visit I made this point clear, politely but firmly, and was still given the “stare”. My advice for those of us stifflers who request that hands be washed, stick to your guns because germs can knock you and your loved ones out for the count- and I have a very good reason for this. If you do not have a good reason you can steal mine.
Now, I hope this does not happen to most new families, but prior to coming home we accepted a few visitors at the hospital, some of which had unbeknownst to us colds/flus. Less than a week after arriving home my husband (who admits to having a horrible immune system) was sick with fever, cough, phlegm, puking- all the worst symptoms of the flu. And 5 days later, I with a newborn, one-week post C-Section, was sick as well. Luckily I had help but I do not remember a single thing for a week with my newborn because I had worse symptoms than my husband. So please I implore people who are offended when asked- wash your damn hands! If not for you for the poor family who is awake every 3 hours, and hasn’t showered for 4 days. A shortlist of things to help less offend people who visit or whose homes you visit is below to help avoid that “stare”.
1. Hand Sanitizer, in your home this is a way to get the message across to people in a less obvious way.
2. Hand Sanitizer Travel Size- Same as above, but if this one is scented people think it is cuter.
3. A Generic Phrase to ask people/excuse such as- “we just got over really bad flus, would you mind washing your hands?” doesn’t hurt to fib
4. A baby safe cleaning and disinfecting wipes, carry them around and wipe everything that you touched or think you did.
Good Luck!
thatsnotmyboob 