This whole germaphobe society we are in today is absolutley driving me nuts!!!!!! I am an avid handwasher, especially before eating or when coming home from anywhere. I do have handsanatizer for those certain situations in my purse. I am a little ocd about my house cleaning. I have been hearing people lately actually being grossed out about shaking hands at church. I find this to be disturbing. How far are we going to go with this. What are we teaching our children, this is a distraction from the important things in life at times.

But, germs are not something new!! And having a little around will make you stronger. Most germs will die before you are ever in contact with them.

I remember loving to play on the playthings at McDonalds and etc. that was before hand sanatizers and such. I wouldn't deny my child the fun. I definately would not take my child to a McDonald's and not let them play. That would just be cruel. That being said. I agree Chick Fil-A is very clean and they even offer handsanitizer towellettes at the door, and they have a cleaning schedule. McDonald's & Burger KIng need to just step up .Maybe have a little heat put on them from the health Dept. I always do a little inspection of them before the kids play. Of and I did find a tac in one once. My kids don't take there shoes off.

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

We rarely go because we don't eat fast food on a regular basis. The few times we have gone dd got in the thing and was scared and wouldn't come out. The first time it happened luckily I got her but she was screaming bloody murder and the second time I was very pregnant and luckily my sister was there to get her out.

I definitely would have informed the manager about the poop/ketchup mess. I sure wouldn't want my kiddo crawling around in that stuff.

I'm probably going to be taking Kat to those indoor play areas a lot this summer. It's just way too hot to play outside. Our swimming pool isn't shaded, either. Hellooooo Chik-Fil-A.

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-- Suzie, mommy to Katarina (02.22.2005) and Sebastian (10.18.2007)

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I have to give a big cheer for the playplaces around here. They are cleaned reglarly adn Chick-Fil-A's is especially nice. For me, they are a lifesaver when its too hot/cold outside and we need a cheap activity. The kids are still young enough that we can do a cheap lunch/dinner or just grab a drink or ice cream and they are happy. I aslo enjoy it b/c I can meet with other moms and have grown-up time while watching the kids play even if its yuck outside. We don't go weekly, but probably 1-2x per month (more in the winter) for something different to blow off energy.

ITA

We don't eat fast food very often (if at all)...but my kids have been in McDonald's where there were play areas and they've played in them with no ill effects. There are germs everywhere.

We are also avid handwashers and always have been. I think it makes a HUGE difference. The first thing we all do when we get home, no matter where we've been, is wash our hands.

This would be me! I keep foamy hand sanitizer in my purse and right after that handshake I discreetly 'wash' my hands. If someone is offended in Church, then they should not have offered me to shake their hand that they just sneezed into, coughed into, or did whatever with! My immune system is horrible and anything that can keep me healthier I'm gonna do. Sadly, I have to say even with vigilant hand washing I still catch everything that floats by.

But I think you'll agree: there is a difference between being germaphobic and expecting no feces or urine or even food on the play things at McD's. I see parents allowing their kids up there with ice cream cones. You're right; germs are everywhere, but the diseases that get carried are stronger than they used to be and are carried internationally. You do have to protect yourself. I don't expect McDonalds to be germ free (you should swab a table there sometime and check for germs!), but I do expect it to be clean.

That said, I can't stand it when people and schools depend only on the antibacterial wipes, sprays and liquids to clean a kids hands, especially when they've been playing in sand or w/animals. Whatever happened to our effective soap and water? Our local park has a sink, but does not furnish soap or paper towels or anything! After recess at school, the kids use antibacterial, rather than being allowed to wash their hands. There is still dirt streaked on the hands!

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I do understand but my sister has no spleen and therefore no immunity from anything. she does take medication but she has never had an issue with any play area. We usually take the kids together. we just wash or sanitize after.
allgirls

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allgirls, mom to 3 girls