As I have mentioned, our Angel-face Clara is a crawling machine. She can get around so fast...it's actually remarkable. But not only is she scooting around like a champ, she's also taken to other activities like...umm...eating everything she finds in her path...like dust bunnies, breadcrumbs, and the noses of her stuffed animals (as evidenced in the provided pictures.)
Dirty floors creep me out now. Really creep me out. Because Clara's hands go all over the ground, and then directly into her mouth to suck on fingers. Yuck. Before Clara, I would keep our floors visibly clean enough. But now, I have stepped it up a huge gigantic notch.
Even though we try to get on our hands and knees to scrub the floors every day (let me tell you...this doesn't happen everyday), it just doesn't seem enough. So we have adopted the "leave your shoes at the door" policy.
Question is...it can be awkward to ask others to do the same. Fortunately, we have had several guests who have asked us if they should remove their shoes (as they probably noticed we weren't wearing shoes...or they noticed the shoe rack in the foyer?). Those are the easy situations...but it can be uncomfortable to ask people/family/friends to remove their shoes who don't offer on their own.
I know this sounds trivial. But I just have to ask...any suggestions? Should I just let the issue go and let people wear/not wear their shoes...and just deal with the clean up after? I am interested to know if anybody does this. (I knew people who wouldn't allow shoes in their homes and I would roll my eyes...boy do things change.)
Definitely don't be shy to ask people. We live in rented accommodation with cream carpets, so we always ask. You can always distract them with "and what can we get you to drink?" afterwards ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't let germs and dirt stress you out too much. More and more studies support the "hygiene hypothesis", a theory that over-sanitising can actually have a negative effect on baby's immune system and allergies. Some are even suggesting that putting things in our mouths as babies is a deliberate way of opening ourselves up to small amounts of germs.
Don't be shy, Jes. It's your home...your rules. We installed brand new carpeting throughout our home earlier this year, so we've gotten over being shy and just ask people to remove their shoes.
ReplyDeleteMy husband's boss has a no-shoe policy and when she had us over for dinner she wrote a little note on the invite. I thought that was nice to be warned just so I could wear an outfit that didn't require cute shoes to work and to wear socks without holes. Would love to hear other people's comments because I'd prefer guests take off their shoes too but don't know how to ask.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some cute little signs around blogland... Like "Shoes Stop Here" with a basket underneath. You could try that. It would be less awkward.
ReplyDeleteI have plenty of friends who have this policy and never feel "unwelcome" because they ask me to remove my shoes. A nice rack by the door is appreciated and forewarning for parties is a great idea. I figure, good manners dictate it is I who need to be respectful of my host's home.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, we got one of the Shark Steam mops when Julie was crawling (our house is mostly tile) and it was WONDERFUL! Cleans without chemicals for her little hands, dries in 30 seconds and sanitizes. It was fast and easy to mop every day, but I also didn't spaz if I missed a day because a little dirt is good for everyone!
I have always had a no shoe policy and people get used to it quickly. I also saw on Martha Stewart that she had a little bench and a basket of slippers for guest to use.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, before getting pregnant I used to *hate* it when my friends would ask us to take off our shoes. They are kid-less, but renters...it made sense, but I would freeze in their house. Now, thinking about having a little kid around and reading this wonderful post of yours, I feel the exact opposite. What great ideas your blog-commenters have! I think I may use some of them. I am freaking out about our 3dog-situation. What the heck are we going to do about the floors?! I already vac every other day in high-shed seasons. For that reason also it makes me want to move to a bigger house for the dogs to have their own space-kid-free. So, be happy you don't have dogs...I envy you.
ReplyDeleteI recently visited a couple who had lived in Japan for many years (the wife was born in Japan). When we came into their house, there was a sign explaining that we should take off our shoes and put on a pair of slippers they provided. There were slippers of various sizes, and everyone enjoyed the experience. I think this would make the no shoe request a little sweeter...maybe invest in some cheap slippers?
ReplyDeleteI agree with that. keep a no shoe policy.
ReplyDeleteI'd say to explain things to the guests. There is always room for understanding.
ReplyDeleteWell of course people should be able to understand what's good for the baby.
ReplyDeleteI came across this problem with my baby too. Had a really tough time telling everyone to leave their shoes outside.
ReplyDeleteI'm Canadian. This is how we do. No one ever really wears their shoes inside. Americans are weird. Shoes are dirty.
ReplyDeleteit's funny how different cultures do things differently. I live in Australia, and although Mum has often decided "no shoes on the carpets", it never lasts very long. On the other hand, when I lived in Germany for three months on exchange, my host family never wore shoes in the house and it worked! I think the difference has to do with doors: in Germany there was the front door and shoes and coats belonged in the anteroom there. Every time you left the house you went through that door. On the other hand, here we could be exiting or entering through one of at least three doors - so shoes just aren't always in the right place...!
ReplyDeleteAs asians we wear only slippers indoors and keep shoes separate and outside when we go out.
ReplyDeleteI have friends who have no shoe policies, and a polite, "Would you please leave your shoes at the door?" works well. Also, many of them just put up a cute sign "Thank you for taking off your shoes" right next to the rack. And usually you will only have to ask each person once ever.
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