When my son was born, I was a complete germaphobe. Everything in sight around him had to be spotless, and I kept antibacterial wipes at the ready. Visitors were greeted with a mandatory hand wash before they could even think about holding him. My home was a fortress of cleanliness—so pristine you could practically eat off the floors.
However, once my little one transitioned from pureed mush to solid foods, my obsession with sterility took a backseat. Meals quickly turned into a chaotic mess—food splattered on my clothes, smeared on the walls, and somehow finding its way into his hair. Despite the mess, I still felt compelled to keep those pesky germs at bay.
Then came the day my son lobbed a carrot at my head as I bent down to retrieve his spoon. He giggled, tossing another one in my direction. In that moment, I couldn’t help but think how clean my floor truly was and how far I’d have to stretch to reach the fridge. So, I shrugged and joined in the fun: “Five-Second Rule!”
As he grabbed the fallen carrot from my hand, I had a fleeting moment of doubt. Was I a terrible parent for letting him eat something that had briefly touched the floor? But strangely, I felt liberated. He chewed happily on his orange treat, and I realized I was finally loosening the tight grip I had on cleanliness.
Soon, it became a playful routine. My son would toss a piece of pasta, and we’d watch it tumble across the floor. I’d scoop it up and return it to his bowl, proudly declaring the “Five-Second Rule” as he devoured it.
One evening, while we were engaged in a friendly pea battle, my partner walked in just as I picked up one of the peas from the floor. “What on earth are you doing?” he asked, pointing at the antibacterial wipes sitting on the counter. I could only laugh at how far I had come from my previous obsession with cleanliness.
In those early days, I would have done just about anything to avoid letting anyone hold my baby without sanitized hands. Now, a simple blow to remove dust was all I needed to feel okay about a snack.
Every new parent seems to fall into this phase of extreme caution, worrying about germs and contamination. We pad our homes with sanitizers and wipes, treating our environments like a sterile hospital room. At least, that was the case for me. I look back and laugh at how I operated—like I was preparing for a hospital-grade sanitization.
But there comes a day for every mother when those obsessive feelings fade. It might happen during a silly food fight or a moment of maternal instinct, but one morning you awaken from that self-imposed sterility, ready to embrace the Five-Second Rule just like I did.
Just last week, my son dropped a piece of his hot dog at the grocery store. It lay on the floor for a good ten seconds before either of us bothered to pick it up. When he finally leaned down and exclaimed, “Two-Minute Rule!” we couldn’t help but laugh as he took a big bite of his snack.
When you consider the myriad of things kids find on the floor and eat, five seconds really doesn’t seem so bad. If you’re interested in learning more about parenting and health topics, check out one of our other blog posts here. Additionally, for those considering at-home insemination, reputable retailers like Make a Mom offer reliable syringe kits. For further guidance on fertility treatments, visit March of Dimes, an excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
In the journey of motherhood, the fixation on cleanliness often gives way to the joy of embracing the chaos. The Five-Second Rule becomes a humorous reminder that life—and parenting—are imperfect.
Leave a Reply