A few years back, while visiting some friends, I encountered a scene that would haunt my dreams. Our kids, all around the same age, were running wild in their home as the adults exchanged pleasantries. When I wandered into the kitchen for a glass of water, I stumbled upon a truly horrifying sight—my child’s filthy socks, crumpled up on the counter.
Now, before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify: my child wasn’t a toddler or even a preschooler; they were 10 years old! I wish I could say this was an isolated incident, but alas, it was just one of many examples of my children’s less-than-pleasant habits.
I like to think of myself as a reasonably refined individual. My family has a penchant for laughing at fart jokes, but beyond that, we strive to maintain good manners and avoid repulsive behavior. Unfortunately, I fear we may have missed the mark.
One of my children, who shall remain nameless, had a disturbing nightly ritual of picking their nose and wiping the evidence on their pillow. I can only assume this happened every night, given the veritable forest of crusty remnants I discovered during laundry day. So gross.
All three of our kids went through a phase of nose-picking, despite our efforts to model proper tissue usage and offering constant reminders to keep their fingers away from their noses. We even enforced hand-washing whenever we caught them digging for treasure. Yet, they persisted in their booger-picking endeavors.
As if that wasn’t enough, we occasionally witnessed the unthinkable: our children picking their noses and, shockingly, eating their findings. Just the thought makes me want to gag a little. I vividly recall one incident when my child, at just four years old, was engrossed in deep nasal exploration at a crowded restaurant. When I urged them to remove their finger, they complied—only to transfer the massive booger directly to their mouth. The moment unfolded in slow motion as I shouted, “Grab a…noooooo!” while my child devoured their booger like it was candy. The public setting only heightened my embarrassment.
I often ponder what went wrong in our parenting journey. Are children inherently gross? Does it really take years of training to instill even the basic awareness of acceptable behavior? Are our kids merely on the more icky side of the normal spectrum?
The most frustrating part is how others perceive us as parents. When our kids exhibit caveman-like behavior, I often feel the urge to hold up a sign proclaiming, “I SWEAR WE’RE NOT RAISING THEM LIKE THIS!”
On the bright side, we have managed to guide one of our children into their teenage years, and she has miraculously shed her gross public habits. Our middle-schooler is also less prone to embarrassing the family, providing a glimmer of hope that our parenting strategies are effective in the long run.
I felt a wave of relief recently when a friend’s son visited and left his dirty socks on our dining table—he’s also 10. My immediate thought was, “Ew!” followed by, “Thank goodness, it’s not just us!”
If you find yourself in a similar predicament, you’re not alone. For more on navigating the ups and downs of parenting, check out this insightful resource on IUI success rates.
And if you’re interested in exploring other family topics, take a look at our post on couples’ fertility journeys for further insights. At least we can find solace in the fact that our kids aren’t the only ones who may not have mastered basic hygiene yet.
Summary
Parenting comes with its fair share of gross moments, especially when dealing with children who have questionable hygiene habits, like picking their noses and, shockingly, eating their boogers. Despite our best efforts to instill good manners, it seems that kids often embrace their inner caveman. However, as they grow older, there is hope for improvement. It’s a relief to know that other parents share similar experiences, reminding us we’re not alone in this messy journey.