By: Emma Lane
Updated: Oct. 29, 2015
Originally Published: Oct. 29, 2015
When my little one arrived, I was a total germaphobe. Every surface within sight of my baby underwent rigorous cleaning rituals, and antibacterial hand soap was a permanent fixture in every room. You could’ve practically dined off our spotless floor. But as any parent knows, babies are messy creatures.
Once my daughter transitioned from pureed food to solid meals, my obsession with cleanliness took a backseat. Food was everywhere: on my clothes, smeared on the walls, tangled in her hair, and scattered like confetti on the floor. Despite my previous scrupulous nature, I still felt the need to deal with those germs cautiously.
One memorable day, while I was retrieving her spork, my daughter mischievously hit me in the head with a carrot. I couldn’t help but laugh, and in that moment, I declared, “Five-Second Rule!” as I picked it up and handed it back to her. Suddenly, the floor didn’t seem as terrifying, and I felt a wave of freedom wash over me.
We created our own little ritual; she would toss food around, and I would scoop it up, often chuckling about our beloved Five-Second Rule. One evening, while we were enjoying a playful pea fight in the kitchen, her dad walked in just as I returned a rogue pea to her plate. “What’s the deal with that?” he asked, pointing at the antibacterial soap on the counter. My daughter gleefully exclaimed, “Five-Second Rule!” as she devoured the pea, and we both burst into laughter.
Reflecting on my former obsessive cleaning habits, it’s amusing how far I’ve come. Back then, I wouldn’t have let anyone near my baby without a thorough handwashing, yet now, a quick blow on a fallen French fry suffices. The initial fear of contamination is common for new parents, often leading us to overuse sanitizing products. My home once felt like a sterile clinic, ready for a visit from Nurse Ratched!
However, there’s a turning point for every mom when the importance of purity fades. Maybe it’s a carrot unexpectedly landing on your shoulder or an innate sense of humor that wakes you up from that cleanliness coma. Just like I did, you’ll embrace the Five-Second Rule one day.
Just last week, my daughter dropped part of her hot dog on the floor at Target, and we waited a solid 10 seconds before picking it up. With a cheeky grin, she leaned over and shouted, “Two-Minute Rule!” We both laughed as she took a bite, and to our surprise, we were still standing!
When you think about all the random things kids discover on the floor and munch on, five seconds hardly seems daunting. If you’re interested in more parenting tips like this one, don’t hesitate to check out our other blog posts, including this informative piece on home insemination here. For those exploring fertility options, Make a Mom provides an excellent resource, and the NHS offers valuable insights into pregnancy and related treatments.
In summary, the evolution from a cleanliness-obsessed parent to one who embraces a more relaxed approach is a liberating journey. Every parent will find their balance, often with a little laughter along the way.