Hand Washing

I did not used to be one of those germ-a-phobic Moms, not even with my firstborn. When friends would ask if they should visit if their child had a runny nose, I would answer that we are not afraid of germs at our house. We eat well, sleep well, play outdoors, and wash ourselves...so we cover the basics for overall good health. Plus, natural immunity is a good thing, right?

Um, yea, well that way of life has just gone right out the window. For now.

We take Jersey #2 out of state to a big-named Children's Hospital one week from today. She will undergo open-heart surgery 2 days after our arrival. Yikes.

I am hoping to keep her as healthy as possible both before and after surgery. I am taking 2 approaches: 1) quarantine ourselves away from the public, and 2) frequent hand washing.

I've been working with the kids on proper hand-washing technique. It seems to be the best way to combat the common spread of germs from person to person. We will have to be diligent with hand washing after Jersey #2's surgery also. It may take a couple months just for her wound to close. It may be 6 months to a year before her body finds its new normal.

I think Jersey #5 might have misinterpreted my hand-washing lesson just a little bit.

Although I did emphasize using soap and water, I did not suggest shampoo or the bathtub faucet.

I appreciate his enthusiasm.