How do you feel about GTGs?

My mother is driving me nuts and is starting to make my DH agree with her. She thinks it's dangerous to take my DD to GTG because of germs and everything. I told her how is she going to build up her immune system being home in isolation all day.

What are your views?

Am I wrong? Should I be worried?

Message edited 10/29/2007 3:39:20 PM.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

If germs scared me I would never bring him to stores or have him signed up for gymnastics.

There is no way to avoid germs so I think they are the crazy ones not you

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Once Lucas started daycare I pretty much got over any concerns about germs. They are bound to get sick and in the end there is only so much you can do to prevent it. But you bring up a good point about building up her immune system.

My BIL says all the time that the one child that was in daycare (and did get sick a lot) has never missed a day of school.

You can definitely take some steps to reduce the chance of her getting sick...bring wipes for her hands and every so often give her a clean down.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Thats nuts IMO...
Germs are everywhere including on your mom and dh. Not to mention the same strangers that would be at a gtg are the same strangers your mother or dh work with every day. I am not into germ phobias. This is life...we have germs amongst us. Unless your child was seriously ill for some reason, I dont see their position.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

My doctor recommended to wait until he was 6-8 weeks to take him to crowded public places. I took him everywhere after that. You need to see people! You will get depressed in the house all by yourself!

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Well how old is your DC?

If he/she is an infant then I would be a little worried to be around other kids, and also its Flu season!

If your DC is older, then I really wouldn't worry since you probably go to the store and other places where you DC can pick up germs.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

If she was under 6 weeks, I would agree with her.

I'm not going to say that she's going to get sick from a GTG but I will say that she's better off being exposed to germs little by little then by the time she hits kindergarten.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

If the only DC you have is the on in your profile and is almost a year old, I think it's fine. A newborn would be different. Kids need to be around germs

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

I agree with Ang - once DS started daycare, I became much more lax about germs. But, I would hardly consider a GTG dangerous (and I'm the hugest worry-wart there is!!).

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

One of the biggest germ carriers are retired people. All of their friends are older, and more susceptible to catching things.

Tell your MIL that you agree with her, but since she is also a germ carrier, she can never come over your house again!

The healthiest toddlers are those that were exposed to things as infants.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

It depends on the age of the child.

DS is 4 months. I went to a GTG in the summer when they were outside. He is now in daycare. I would assume it's common sense NOT to bring your kid around others children if they are sick.

I would not bring a newborn in an indoor GTG.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Posted by GoldenRod

One of the biggest germ carriers are retired people. All of their friends are older, and more susceptible to catching things.

Tell your MIL that you agree with her, but since she is also a germ carrier, she can never come over your house again!

The healthiest toddlers are those that were exposed to things as infants.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

You KNOW I take Alex everywhere --- I think it is good for them! Madison is definitely old enough to be around others. But it is good to just make sure you wash her hands and all after being in public places --

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

I just had this conversation this morning! I go to any and all things/events/GTG's/playdates I can, totally not worrying about germs or them getting sick. I mean I send my DS to school 3x a week with 14 other germy kids and so far, he's been fine. What ever will be will be.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Wow really? "Dangerous"? Huh.

So what about family GTGs? Your family doesn't have germs, I guess...

Holidays? Birthdays?

When IS it safe to ler her out?

I'm sorry but that sounds kind of silly to me. If she was 6 weeks or younger, definitely, I totally agree. If their concerns were "internet crazies", I could understand a little better. But germs? Really?

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

I was out with a friend of mine today at playgroup with her 5 week old. Get out of the house and get yourself meeting people!!! I was out at baby massage classes with my son when he was 6 weeks old. Saved my life.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Posted by BabyAvocado

Wow really? "Dangerous"? Huh.

So what about family GTGs? Your family doesn't have germs, I guess...

Holidays? Birthdays?

When IS it safe to ler her out?

I'm sorry but that sounds kind of silly to me. If she was 6 weeks or younger, definitely, I totally agree. If their concerns were "internet crazies", I could understand a little better. But germs? Really?

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

I dont worry at all.....Maybe thats bad of me, but I dont care. And my son is 5 months old and hasnt had any issues, no colds etc.,

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

My brother and SIL were kind of anal (at least in my opinion) about not having their kids around other kids for fear of germs. They wouldn't even let them play in ball pits thinking of all the horrible germs they could catch.

Now as their children are older, I can tell you they are sick all of the time. I often asked why they wouldn't expose them to certain settings and playgroups to help build up their immune systems.

I don't mind bringing DD to gtg's. I do want her exposed to the world and not keep her shut in all the time. I don't believe that's healthy

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

we go to 5 playgroups a week and olivia is rarely sick. she has had a cold 2 times in the 21 months she has been alive. we have been going to the groups since she was 6 months. most of the places wipe down the equiptment or i always clean her hands and change her socks when we leave.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

Germs are everywhere!
I take DS everywhere!

When DS was younger than 6 weeks, we stayed home. My mom thought I was "Being Silly". As soon as he hit about 6 weeks, out the door we went to family and friends homes.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

I love them ( the gtg's)
Since DD was 6 weeks old she has been out and about and around everyone and anything and she has never been sick- no cough, no fever, no nothing. The most she has had is a stuffy nose.
she is 10 months old today and she is a winter baby and I had her out a lot.
Im also not afraid of germs, I put her in shopping carts, I dont wipe them - Im not that anal. I do however wipe her hands when we go to farms, and I have caught her putting her mouth on the metal part of the shopping cart that she holds onto. Not going to panic here. They need to be exposed to the environment. dont worry you are not doing a bad thing by having her out and about. and she has plenty of shots now too to be around other children.
Especially the children from LIF

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?

That is so silly. She will be fine.

Re: How do you feel about GTGs?