[Lamaena]

Ok everyone, I really need some help clarifying something right now. Today was my fkids visit with their parents, which takes place every Wed for 4 hours in a park near the agency. The children are always returned dirty, I mean DIRTY, dirt all over their necks, their armpits, their ears, their clothing, their fingernails, etc...
Well, today they come home looking mildly clean in comparison to other days, and then I take off their shoes and socks to find the most filthy little feet I have ever seen in my life, children in third world countries walking around barefoot must have feet cleaner than these. And really, my concern is not the dirt, but the danger of having a child barefoot in a park/playground. Have you guys not seen the hypodermic needles, the dog and human poop and urine, the broken glass, etc...? Would you guys not agree that taking the children's shoes and socks off in a park/playground is plain negligence? Not to mention that these children were removed b/c they were living in unsanitary conditions where their health and wellbeing were being compromised!

Am I overreacting?

PLEASE, HELP ME UNDERSTAND.

[frida_94601]

Hi, I dont think you are over reacting one bit!!! The play grounds where I live are very unsanitary as well, it so sad but true, what seems to be worst is that the parents are not aware of the dangers and health risks!! Maybe you can discuss these issues with your case worker?

[crick]

depends on the condition of the park, imo.
And you don't know if the parents made sure that the park was free of anything dangerous like needles etc., right?

I let my kids take off their shoes and socks at parks, creeks and other places too. Dirt comes off and no, I'm not negligent.

[SchmennaLeigh]

I don't wear shoes in our park. Then again, our park is insanely clean. I'm always afraid that I'm "messing it up." LOL. I am messy.

[locoenlacabeza]

I agree it depends on the park- Our parks are incredibly clean and myself and the kids will take off our shoes sometimes and play in the grass. It feels great on your feet!
Sand box is different, during the summer it can burn feet so if they play there they have to put their shoes back on.

[HappyTwinsMom]

Definitely depends on the park. We took our girls to a park over Labor Day weekend that I would not stay at because it was so filthy...goose droppings, dog crap, etc. I was appalled at the the people allowing their children to run around barefoot.

[Lamaena]

I thank you all from replying to my post . Personally I don't agree with children walking around barefoot due to the concerns that I discussed. I also do know that, as some of you have said, there are parks that are kept 'clean' enough to warrant some parents to feel comfortable enough to let their children take their shoes and socks off.
What I want you all to understand and think about is the back story and my ongoing experience with these visits. The children are returned thoroughly dirty, again, I mean DIRTY! I can agree that I am partially anal when it comes to keeping children clean, but my kids don't have any less fun b /c of my harping on them being kept clean.
I guess time will tell whether or not the CW will pay any attention to my concerns.
Thanks again, and my apologies to those that thought my calling this practice negligent applied to them.

[Lamaena]

Originally Posted by HappyTwinsMom

Definitely depends on the park. We took our girls to a park over Labor Day weekend that I would not stay at because it was so filthy...goose droppings, dog crap, etc. I was appalled at the the people allowing their children to run around barefoot.

...why would anyone let their kids run around barefoot in such filth?

[straightblues]

My two year old digs in the dirt in my back yard every day. He gets Dirty with a capital D. I think it is great. We live at the beach so the children hardly ever have shoes on.

I think there are a lot of other things you could be worrying about other than them being dirty.

So yes, I think you are way over reacting. But I am a dirty man so what do I know.

[shycar]

If they are at the park for 4 hours I would be shocked if they come back clean. I take my kiddos everyday for one hour and they come back dirty. They love to roll down the hill. Go barefoot on the sand. Play in the creek and play in the dirt. They have loads of fun. Plus they have fun in bath...well most of my kids like baths.

[Chancey]

Lameana -

I think you are overreacting. Additionally, why are you giving these kids your hang ups about having to be exceptionally neat.

One of the funnest things for kids to do is to be outside and not having to worry about keeping clean. I certainly don't neglect my children and I do let them play in the dirt when they have an opportunity and they have a blast!!!

[Kelly Rae]

I wasn't going to respond, well because my children get so filthy playing in our backyard that I carry them to the garage strip them, and then shower them first then let them soak in the tub. I then have to clean the tub when they are done. Gross probably, but I figure allowing them the freedom to play and get filthy is part of childhood. That said they always have to where their shoes to worried about all the things you mentioned.

[qs mom]

We're a dirty, barefoot family. I would be barefoot at all times, if society would allow it. Dirt washes off. Fun stays forever!

But, I'm a different kind of mom. I want my baby to PLAY and enjoy what life has to offer him. Sometimes we put off homework, or just plain don't do it because we didn't have time to play.

Learning to play is underated. And if you ain't dirty, you didn't play right!

[lakin11]

I can definitely see her concerns...there is nothing wrong with playing and playing hard, but some places do call for shoes. My kids can run barefoot like crazy when we are at home, but at the park, they always have to wear their shoes. I think its fairly clean, but why take the chance?
I know Lama's biggest concerns also stem from other incidents that happen with these visits.....kids coming back with bruises from bios squeezing their arm too tight (while "supervising" CW is sitting in his car). Again if you reread the first post she states, she isn't worried so much about the dirt part as she is the dangers of what "could" be on the ground at the park. CW has already shown her several times that HE's not watching whats going on.
My kids get dirty, but there is a difference in getting dirty and totally filthy from head to toe. (In my eyes anyway).

[ouska]

I think that if it conserns you then say something to the Sw.