Dirt, the most natural plaything.

Forwarning, this post is all about dirt.  Hah!  In all seriousness, I’d like to discuss what is it about dirt that children love, and is it ok for your kid to play in the dirt?

The other day, my daughter and I were outside and I decided to plant some flower seeds.  I dug out a nice patch and started weeding.  The second she saw me using my hands that was it.  She had to do it too, monkey see monkey do.  So I decided I’d let her dig around with me while I was weeding.  Then we found a worm, well, she found a worm.  No, she didn’t pick it up.  As soon as she spotted it she  said to me “Mommy!  Snake!”  I was a little freaked, but I saw it was just a worm…right idea hunny, but not quite.  Finally I had enough weeding and I tried to get her to go inside with me…but she wanted nothing to do with going inside. 

So I said whatever go ahead and get dirty, we’ll have an early bath tonight.  …after I said that there was no stopping her.

Now I ask again, what is it about dirt?  Is it because it’s fun to get dirty?  Could it be they like the texture?  Maybe they’re looking for “buggies”  I don’t know what it is.  But you know what I say…Go Ahead And Get Dirty!   I get it.  Who doesn’t like to go crazy and get a little messy now and then?  What the heck is wrong with dirt besides that…it’s dirty.  I can name a few things that are great about dirt:  –It’s natural–It keeps kids busy for at least a half hour…probably a lot longer!–It actually builds immune systems

Do you think it’s ok for your child to play in the dirt now and then?  Yes I do.  I think today a lot of people worry about being antibacterial and forget that children need to build their immune systems somehow!  I’ll be the first to say when my daughter was born you weren’t going to come withing 10 feet of her before using hand santizer.  Now that I’ve chilled out a bit I’ve came to the conclusion that dirt is not all that bad.  So relax mama’s!  Mother Nature has it undercontrol!