Preschool won’t let me bring in Purell!

[luna33]

Hi,


My daughter started preschool for the first time this fall. Of course you all know what my biggest fear is with this change in our lives. So on the first day I brought in a bottle of Purell and tried to give it to the teacher. She told me that all the kids wash their hands before snack time. OK, so I figured rather than be a high-maintenance mom I'd just accept that. But then after school my daughter said the kids didn't wash their hands before snacks. I of course told her over and over that she HAS to wash her hands before she eats ever (she's usually really good about this). So I brought the Purell in again today (day 2) and apologized for pressing the issue, but said that I really wanted her to have it available. The teacher apologized and said that she just hadn't gotten around to discussing handwashing with the kids owing to usual first-day craziness, but that was going to be the point of the morning circle time, and that she would make SURE my daugther washes her hands. I said I'd feel better if she had it anyway, and the teacher said she thinks it's better if all the kids follow the same procedure. In other words, no Purell. It's a Montessori school and they're pretty strict about procedure and self-reliance (so the teacher can't really be chasing around my kid with a Purell bottle).


I see her point, and guess she's right, so I guess I just decided to tell you all because I knew only you guys would understand . . . even my husband chastised me (gently) for making myself look crazy and like a crackpot right away. But I'm soooo scared. I know the first year of school they pick up EVERYTHING and I am terrified.


I am curious . . . do your schools let them have Purell? At this school, they don't have cubbies or anything . . . no place to put personal stuff (and in fact they're not allowed to bring anything from home except a change of clothing, which the teacher keeps in a closet).


Why have things changed? In all my years in school, I NEVER washed my hands, shared food, touched my face . . . and only got a sv once, in fifth grade, from my sister. Now it seems kids get several, every year.


Sigh . . .

[sillygirl]

I don't have any kids, but I can relate to your last comment. I was an emet since I was 6, but even then I never washe dmy hands before eating. I never even thought about it. The only sv I got during that time was over Christmas Break (on Christmas Eve actually) so I know I didn't get it from school. Why does it seem so important to constantly be washing hands now?


One thing that I did (or rather never did) was use a public bathroom. I was always so scared that someone would come in and v* while I was in there, so I never, ever used a school bathroom. Maybe that is actually what kept me from getting sick? Rather than the clean hands thing?

[jesskali]

I don't have kids either but you may want to try getting some of the Purell wipes and putting one in your daughter's pocket for her to use before snack time. I don't know if this would go against the school's regulations or not. But, that would be something she could do individually and not have to depend on the teacher for anything.

I never washed my hands throughout elementary or middle school and I suppose that is why I got so many sv. I usually had 1-2 every school year, at least. Now, I'm an avid hand washer and wash probably 10-20 times per day.

Jess

[mtravigne]

My oldest daughter just started preschool too! And I've been freaking out about it. I'mhavinganxiety over her exposure togerms (not cold germs, mindyou just the stomach bug)- even though her class is small (7) and they do wash their hands before snacks. (I asked mydaughter more than once!) I'm also nervous of her bringing bugs home to my 2 year old. I'm basically nervous about everything!


Today was only her second day, and it's her first time being away from me, she's never been in day care and relatives always babysit, so I'm sure that's a lot to do with my state of mind.


It's just nice to hear of other mom's having this same anxiety.

[spilled_milk]

I don't get the no purell thing. I went to a montessori school when i was younger, and although they like self reliance, they would at least have the bottle for before a snack time. just like general hygiene!!!


I'm osrry this had to happen to you!


<3 Anya--

[zane2673]

HI, My son just started kindergarten. Last year in preschool I relied on the teachers to make sure he washed his hands before snack, and my son would come home and say they didn't let him wash long enough. (Mind you that's a surprise coming from a four year old at the time!!), so I started having him carry a wet-ones antibacterial wipe in a plastic bag in his pocket. It worked well and no one complained.


I recently purchased those new purell wipes. Each morning I open the packet and place it in a sandwich baggy and pack in his lunch box. He knows to wipe up with it before eating. This gives me piece of mind he is cleaning his hands before eating and I don't have to rely on the teacher to do it.


Good luck, you'll find something that will work for you.

[samara's on tv]

I remember when I was in highschool there was purell bottles EVERYWHERE but before that I never really saw them. When I was growing up I hardly ever got sick and I never had all the problems I'm having with it now. I think my whole life *Knock on wood* I've only had actually 3 or 4 Svs and I wasn't nearly as weird about it as I am today. I'm sure if you get the purell wipes they can't say anything about it but I think that it's stupid that they won't let her have a bottle or purell.


~Monica

[molivo]

First let me say how much I admire that you send your child to preschool! I have a second grade little girl who I have kept at home and homeschooled because I am so afraid to let her go to school. You are awesome![img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img] Now to your problem. They make little bitty bottles of Purell that have a hook on them--they are made specifically for kids to wear on their belts loops or backpacks to take to school! I wouldn't think they would give you a problem about that. And hey, feel good about yourself today, you have done something that I could never bring myself to do. Good for you! [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]


~~Missy~~

[gubba]

I have a 3 1/2 year old that I have not sent to pre-school because of my fear of him getting sick. I have not told anyone this, including my husband who would be upset that I am making my child as whacky as me. I do make him wash and wash his hands and he does. He is on the waiting list at the Montessori School and I have no clue about the Purell, but I will be sending him with wipes and if they tell him he can't use them, I will need to question why.


I am a nail biter and I wash my hands so much each day. I too, was never really sick as a kid and we never washed our hands. What do you think has happened now that kids are always so sick? We have so much to keep germs away and yet these kids get it all.

[donna1216]

My older daughter started Kindergarten this year and Purell was on her school supply list--YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the teacher puts it on every kid before snack and before lunch!! The only thing that worries me is the idea that a kid could barf near her--as that happened to my friend's little boy last year and then he got sick. And then after that a kid did it right beside Logan and Haley in the Obstetrician's office last year and sent me into a panic!!!! Haley started preschool and they wash their hands immediately before snack every day

[gubba]

I always think of the OB's office as being safe from sick V*. I suppose a pregnant woman could V*, and that does bother me too, but I know I can't catch that, so I panic and deal with it. I would probably leave the Dr.'s office if I saw someone V*

[donna1216]

THe pregnant woman didn't v*, it was her son. And he just hosed down the whole place, I was terrified because he was sitting beside Logan on a bench!!!!!! AGHHHHHH!! It was a horrible day. . . . .

[gubba]

I understood that it was her son, and that was what was so gross. I was thinking though that it always seems like the OB's office would be a safe non V* place since the only people there are usually women and the only ones to possibly V* would be the pregnant ones. Hopefully, if you know you or your child isn't feeling well, a place with pregnant women would be a place to avoid. I would not take my sick child to a place where I thought he could get others s*. I am eally repectful of others in that way.


i am sorry you had to go through that, I would have run!