In summers we started the mornings off spick-n-span and ended the late afternoons covered in dirt. I even remember mom letting us play directly in mud puddles, passing us a few pans and spatulas from the kitchen, then splatting myself down and cooking fabulous gritty platefuls decorated with dandelion top, something I’ll definitely pass down as normal play to my own children.
After an afternoon outdoors, even a whiff of dried mud can take me back, as I lift my son up and into the sink for a spray down. There is a great connection to the earth and everything God has made that can never be washed away.
I feel safe, I feel confident, I feel joy seeing my son playing in mud. What a terrific benefit for his healthy immune system. Digging holes and pulling out worms, coming in contact with germs. It lets your body build up a strong defense, ready for a time when it may really need to fight off something unsafe and nasty. I’m not sure if my mom knew exactly how much good all that bacteria filled soil was for us, but it must have been her natural instincts that led her.
Bekah Thompson is a wife, mother and photographer. After spending six years in Australia with her steadfast husband they ventured back to Amish country. There she experiences life through her sons eyes and makes a mud-pie or two in her down time!
I usually take it in stride. I have 5 little brothers. I know this is natural.
My boys’ antics in the mud and puddles usually make me smile or even laugh. Sure there are days when I’ve just dressed them up for an outing or we’re at the store and they step in a huge puddle on purpose and suddenly have soaked shoes and I feel a little unappreciated and annoyed, but most of the time I just smile.
They’re only little once.
Erica Mueller is a wife, mother and blogger. She enjoys all kinds of outdoor activities like camping and gardening with her family. Her family might not have it all together but together they have it all.
Angela England is a wife, mother and publisher. Her world begins and ends with family. She may be a few years wiser but she’ll never be fully ‘grown up’.
I think he’s not living his childhood if he doesn’t get a little dirty. Kids get dirty, their clothes get dirty, and so do their lovies. Then they get washed.
I used to be so anxious about dirt and germs but realized I was doing more harm to my kids by sheltering them. I’d rather my house be dirty and my kids be happy and experience a real childhood that includes dirt, sand and water.
Vicki Finn is a wife, mother and herb chef extraordinaire. Her passion for healthy, real foods drives her blog and her garden.
Years ago when my oldest was little I would’ve said NO WAY! That’s too much work, you’d have to take a shower and then I’d have to scrub your clothes clean….ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Now as I have gotten older and am truly starting to understand just how short life is I would say, “Go for it boys!” I even encourage it!
I have learned that life is all about enjoying the moments as they come to you and appreciating the little things. If running through a mud puddle brings a smile to my boys’ faces then I say go for it, and I just may do it with you…..as long as we are not on our way anywhere that we have to be clean!
Mindy Ferguson is a wife, mother and writer. Her dedication to raising her children with the love of Christ drives her actions and their life lessons.
As the boys have gotten older — and grown in quantity — I’ve found myself increasingly relaxed about dirt. In fact, I think about all the times that my sister and I proudly presented our mother with a mud pie. Now as I receive bouquets of dandelions and expertly crafted pie a’la sand, I’m filled with joy. The lazy summer days are for playing in the dirt and searching for insects. There is a whole other world out there and it’s just waiting to be discovered. Just be careful with the magnifying glasses – don’t need any fried ants!
Alaina Frederick and her husband love to go camping with the kids. Their time away from the hustle and bustle of life is always welcomed.
What’s your case for getting dirty?
When they were younger, my two boys were entertained by a mudhole in the backyard. Leaves, rocks, twigs, nuts, and berries when combined with the earth made for many hours of messy fun.
The age of antibacterial hand cleansers and cleaning products are doing all of us, but especially our children. more harm than good. What fans of these products seem to forget is not only are these products killing bad germs but the good ones too. There is also something not right about a child not getting dirty. An acceptable” I played in the mud” dirty child is a healthy child and a happy child. It says they have been outside exercising their bodies, imaginations, and minds not just getting some immunity from germs. When my kids were little ( not so long ago) people thought I was nuts for telling my kids to go outside and get dirty and to encourage them to do the things kids did before the age of video games and 24 hr seven children’s programming on tv. Like climbing trees. I’ve even stomped in a muddle puddle or two with them. Snow ball fights although not dirty were another thing that I did with them. I still stomp in mud puddles and throw snowballs with my nephews. I’m the cool aunt!!