Spreading coughs and colds

Kisses & cuddles are the order of the day in our family lips cheeks wherever! The 1 year old was miserable & made his kissy mouth & held up his arms. A kiss on the lips & then a cuddle. Precious moments they don't last forever!

Hopefully everyone cuddles. But if I have a snotty kid in front of me whether it be related or not I certainly wouldn't give a kiss.

I don't often comment but I feel I need to say something on this topic. We are all different. In particular, as we get older, our states of health are very different and we each need to know our limits - and our children and grandchildren need to know and respect those limits. I have bronchiectasis. A cold caught from a grandchild (I don't even have to kiss them! Just need to be in the same room.) can result in a week in hospital followed by months of getting over the high doses of prednisone given and diminished lung function. So, Petra, 'mean' to avoid contact? Please, can we stop judging each other and just accept our differences!!! We may not understand these differences because we have no experience of them ourselves, but let's give each other credit for knowing what is best for and what works for them.

Agree nainai. Sometimes seemingly simple things are far from simple. This isn't something to be judgemental about. Each person and each family have a right to choose how they navigate exposure to germs. The only thing I would say is it's best to explain your stance to avoid hurt feelings.

If I have a cold or cough I invariably tell my grandchidrenm that I'm not goiing to get too close to them, but have never worried about catching something from them. I do think that this obsession about germs is at the root of much of the problems these days, as our bodies no longer know how to fight infection. When my own children were young we didn't get so hung up about it, apart from serious illnesses and things such as impetigo.

I'm totally on your wave phoenix.
It's not a perfect world, bugs are part of life. I could never refuse a hug or a kiss.

Oh I do sympathise. Hubby and I started looking after our gorgeous GD Ella last September ( now 18 months old) and we have had four doses of different bugs as she picks up every virus going while at nursery three days a week. Including the one that leaves you with a hacking cough for weeks after. I haven't seen the poor little sausage without a snotty nose for weeks now. Usually it ends up all over me but I don't care coz I adore my little poppet ???

I love hugs and kisses from my grandchildren, but have to admit, snotty, runny noses are a big no no for me. Although, once said nose has been cleaned, kissing will resume lol! I kiss my youngest grandson on whichever part of the body I am presented with, e.g., mouth, cheek, forehead, but find as they get older they prefer the cheek/forehead kisses. Whatever they are comfortable with!