Over protective parents kinda bug me

OK, I will admit it. Parents (mostly moms) who are overprotective bug me. I cant help it. Now, I am not advocating letting your kids ride on the edge of a flatbed truck while going down the road at 30 miles an hour, or letting them run wild and wander 10 acres of land (including creeks) without any monitoring (that's what my parents did... farmers are a different breed perhaps? Or maybe its Italian's? LOL) No, I am talking about the germ-a-phobe moms, the "I will only make my own baby food" moms, the only buy organic products moms, the don't let them eat Peanut Butter until 4 years old mom. This is my sister and cousins, they bug me too!!!

OK, I understand the concepts behind organics, fresh baby foods, I know. I get it. I would buy Organic if I could afford to, when its on sale, I do...(while shopping yesterday I bought carrots...a regular bag was 99 cents. Organic bag $2.29) but my kids must suffer I guess. We are poor. LOL However, it still bugs me a little. The germ-a- phobe thing particularly bugs me. Studies have been known to show that germs in moderation are actually beneficial to you in the long run. It makes sense to say that if all germs are taken out of the babies space, when they finally do get exposed, it is in line to be worse with a child who has been wiped clean with hand sanitizer thrice daily... Oh wait, I meant the child's toys, playthings, and utensils... I think that might be taking it a bit too far. I also think passing on that fear will make your kids weird about letting loose, having fun and getting dirty. Dirt can be fun!

Sugar. That seems to be more evil than Hitler and Saddam Hussein put together. Sugar in moderation is fine. Sugar in moderation is not going to create fat adults who lay around sluggishly and don't amount to anything. No, sugar is not the cause of that... fat adults are not caused by letting your child have a glass of juice a day, or a candy bar a week for a treat. Fat adults are caused by letting children eat whatever they want, whenever they want (this I know, Ive lived it) and not encouraging and participating in physical activity. Playing video games all day while eating unlimited amounts of junk will make a fat child/adult. Dessert in moderation is a yummy part of a meal. Something to look forward too. Life would not be worth living if you could not have a juicy piece of watermelon, or a Hershey's bar once in awhile. Food is not just fuel, it is an art form and it is something to be enjoyed and savored. Healthy eating is important, but having a pizza now and again never hurt anyone.

I also do not care for the superiority attitude you sometimes see with this kind of mom. (Don't get too upset, I said sometimes) "Well, **I** would never feed my children non organic store bought baby food!!!" "But we all are different" ect ect ect... I hear a lot of "Well **I** would never" It sounds so judgmental but carefully wrapped in a blanket of tolerance for all, so as not to offend. I don't know.. maybe I am paranoid, but I don't buy it. I can read between the lines and the raised eyebrows! Maybe this is a California thing? Or a Forum/Message Board thing? I don't know. Remember, WE did not die from eating a non organic piece of fruit, nor did we perish from eating peanut butter at the age of one (unless we were severely allergic, and then we would not be talking about this at all) I was even sprayed (by a crop duster) with Malathion, and I am still ticking.... No, most of us grew to adulthood in one piece.

I think being aware of the dangers out there is what a parents responsibility is all about. I think being overly cautious with preemies and children who are born into a family with known allergies is a must. But just your average every day kid needs to, no deserves the opportunity to get dirty. Eat a Popsicle. Have a candy bar. Have a puppy who licks faces. Have a parent who encourages fun and provides a child with the opportunity to enjoy ALL that life has to offer. In moderation.