Mrs. Poop and I (and I guess Chase) have all been very lucky in that in the first 18 months of his life the little tyke has gotten sick only twice, maybe thrice.
Many other parents, and little kids we know, are frequently canceling play dates, or staying home from daycare because of all manner of illness from runny nose to high fever.
Sure, the fact that Chase doesn't go to daycare is a major reason why he's been relatively healthy to this point, but there's also this: Chase eats dirt.
The New York Times offers this scientific advice for all you parents out there: a little dirt is good for you.
"In studies of what is called the hygiene hypothesis, researchers are concluding that organisms like the millions of bacteria, viruses and especially worms that enter the body along with “dirt” spur the development of a healthy immune system."
The article goes on to explain what many of us "relaxed" parents have long professed, that eating dirt, and exposure to germs helps a child develop a strong immune system and fend off disease.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
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