Half of British parents have turned into ‘dirt-phobes’, going to great lengths to keep their little ones spotless at all times.
A recent survey of 1,000 parents with children aged between 2-12 years has revealed that a whopping 55% are constantly worried about mud wreaking havoc – from soiling the insides of cars, staining floors, or getting onto their own garments.
In a bid to keep their homes spot-free, a significant 63% confessed they’ve even had their mucky children disrobe at the doorstep on occasion to prevent mud from being tracked inside, tossing the dirtied garments straight into the washing machine.
Other pressing concerns for these parents include the extra laundry that comes with grubby youngsters, cleaning up dirty floors and, not least, fears over potential illnesses stemming from the mess.
There is a disapproving 27% who have pulled their kids away from playing outside the moment they got muddy. As a third of parents confess they don’t allow their little ones as many opportunities to play in the mud as they should, due to the mess involved.
Despite this, an overwhelming three quarters of the surveyed group recognise that it’s crucial for kids to dive into messy activities such as painting, crafts, and especially outdoor play, regardless of the resulting disorder. An astonishing 78% of parents acknowledge that getting grubby is simply a part of growing up’s fun.
TV celebrity Binky Felstead is one notable figure advocating for a more mud-friendly approach this season; she believes families should warmly embrace the muck. Reflecting she said: “I’m determined to bring my kids up in a household that doesn’t fear mud.”
As someone raised amidst rural delights, she fondly reminisced her childhood outdoor adventures saying, “I’m a country girl and I grew up playing outside, there’s so much joy in playtime, and we shouldn’t see mud as the enemy – letting my children have fun outdoors is a must.”
Binky was recently seen joining in the messy fun herself, sliding down a specially designed mudslide at Mudchute Farm in London. This event was orchestrated by Bosch in honour of the launch of its Unlimited 7 Aqua – a versatile 2in1 cordless vacuum cleaner and mop combo.
“You only have to see their faces to know it’s having a positive effect on India, Wolfie and Wilder. I know the ‘clean-up fear’ that comes with messy play – and it’s often easier to say no than to make time for it – with all the other things we have to do as busy parents.”
Much like Binky, a large 92% of parents believe outdoor activities such as running or rolling in the mud enhance their child’s wellbeing. A third even encourage their children to enjoy the mud, viewing it as a way to build a barrier against germs.
The spokesperson for Bosch commented: “Getting a bit dirty, within reason, is part of growing up. It’s understandable that some parents want to keep kids tidy, but the truth is the mess can be cleaned up in no time, whilst the memories last a lifetime.
“It’s tempting to say ‘no’ to mud but we’re pleased to be able to bring a solution to parents across the UK that means saying ‘yes’ without the hassle of cleaning up.”
