The Parents’ Voice By Shelley Heaphy

Puddles and mud

There isn’t anything much more splendid than watching a child play, truly play. The play that comes along with spring is so rewarding to watch and be part of. It is so welcome after such a long, cold winter. The excitement in the children (and parents) is so vibrant when you get bikes out for the first time, shovels, pails, skipping ropes, chalk – it feels as though it’s taken years to get back outdoors. Who doesn’t love jumping in puddles and squeezing mud between fingers?
Every so often or all the time, leave the house thinking you will have a load of laundry after playtime and unleash the kids to playing freely. A few tips we can share to help with the mess is to locate an area outside your house (the garage or the front step) where you can leave dirty rubber boots and strip down your child. Then stick all the outdoor gear to dry (on a clothing rack in the garage or outside) or throw it all in the washing machine. Have towels and grocery bags close to the door so that you can put the dirty clothes in the bags or towel off toes if need be.