It is said that kids eat a half pound of dirt by the time they are six years old.  When I was in kindergarten, I distinctly remember a super silly boy acting like a cow and ripping grass out of the lawn with his teeth.  That kid probably consumed more dirt than the average child!  While your child isn’t likely to graze in the yard on all fours like a cow, dirt will naturally make its way into their mouth through fingernail biting, licking odd surfaces, and simply eating in the outdoors.    

I know most people react with “Ewww!” when discussing dirt ingestion.  But really, is it that bad?  If a little dirt inadvertently gets consumed through time in the outdoors, shouldn’t we celebrate the fact these individuals are actually living a healthy lifestyle by spending time outside? 

We assess other people by the way they talk, the way they walk, their interactions with others and by their interests and hobbies. For me, there is one other important criterion that I use to judge people: dirt under their fingernails. Many women like well-manicured nails. When I see long nails, it tells me this woman doesn’t know how to use her hands. I immediately know I have nothing in common with this person. The nail length is directly related to an inability to survive on their own in the outdoors. I suppose these women could make great diggers, like a badger.  But there is no way they would risk breaking their talons. Long nails make ME say, “Ewww.” 

Life is messy but fun. Having children and raising them appropriately means getting your hands dirty. A slightly disheveled appearance and short dirty nails doesn’t mean you’re a slob; it just means you’re a hands-on parent. And that’s something to be proud of.

Here are some ideas of how to get your hands dirty with children:

Gardening

I self-admittedly have a black-thumb.  No matter how hard I try, I tend to kill plants. Nevertheless, I still love gardening.  Weeding, pruning, and planting are mindless and relaxing tasks.  It’s great to be in the fresh air, working with my hands.  Children love being a part of this, too.  I suggest buying your child their own watering can.  It may take them twice as long to get the job done, but they’ll love every moment of being by your side in the yard and having a task to complete.  Sometimes you learn something new about your child in the process.  I recently found out how much my son loves weeding!  And he’s great at it! By showing children how to water, weed, and plant flowers and vegetables, we are teaching them patience and how to follow-through with a task.  They find it super exciting to see the progress and growth of their plants.  You may even give them a life-long hobby. 

Fixing things

When my youngest son was only three years old, he assisted me with assembling an IKEA dresser.  I was blown away by how helpful he was.  This little human followed my instructions, carefully, brought me pieces I needed, and sat with me while I diligently put the furniture together.  In all honesty, he did not speed things up for me, but he also didn’t slow me down.  He wanted to be right in on the action, and he enjoyed every moment of it. By the time he was five years old, I could ask him to repair anything requiring a screwdriver.  It was super cute to watch him crouch down by the broken item, survey the situation, then announce, “We need a Phillips.”  With that, he'd run to his father’s tool drawer and carry on the project.  For his birthday, he got his own toolkit.  Other children his age had the Fisher Price version.  My son had the real deal!  This may seem trivial, but these are life skills he’s learning!

Window washing

I abhor window washing, but it is a necessary evil.  No one likes looking out dirty windows.  Car windows that are dirty can lead to accidents.  When windows need washing, the best person to call is the child!  You just have to be careful with them using the spray bottle, as it’s likely to get sprayed in more places than the glass!  If the adult does the spraying, and the child does the wiping, you can turn it into a game and get the job done relatively effectively.  And let’s be real: even if it isn’t the best job, it’s still likely to be better than what things looked like before the washing. 

Car washing

Prior to pulling out the hose, I suggest having your child put on their swimsuit.  Supervising adults should do the same, especially if you intend to let your child take control of the hose.  If you think you will get through a car washing adventure without letting your child command the water at some point, you are asking for a temper tantrum!  Children can be quite good at these tasks provided clear instructions and boundaries are given to them.  And, just like the window washing, even if it isn’t a great job, who cares? Just a good spray-down is guaranteed to improve the appearance of the vehicle dramatically.  I also suggest choosing a warm day, so that cold water isn’t as shocking when it pelts you time and time again!

Sweeping the porch

Sweeping is a very physical activity!  It also takes coordination, patience, and attention to detail.  The biggest issue I have experienced with this task is the size differential: an oversized broom with a tiny-tot will mean bruises galore for the adult.  You will get whacked and smacked more times than you can imagine.  I suggest purchasing a small broom and dust pan for your child, and pick one that will grow with them.  Both parent and child can sweep together and work in unison to get the project complete.  This is also a ticket to a good night’s sleep!

So, get out there, and get dirty. Scuff up your clothes, sniff in the fresh air, and enjoy the time with your child.  You may be amazed by how helpful they truly are! Don’t worry about the dirt under the nails. In my opinion, it’s a status symbol of being an awesome mom.

Laura D