by Laura Falin posted in Life

I'm going to tell you a story and I hope you don't think less of me.
Oh, heck -- you're probably going to think less of me for this one. But maybe I can help you feel better about yourself at least.
Several years ago, we took a trip to New York City with the kids. It was such a fun vacation and is still one of my favorites, but the logistics of herding three small children through the city were overwhelming (kudos to you guys who do this every day! You're amazing). We had just gotten on the subway and done a head count to make sure we didn't lose anyone when it happened. My three-year old licked the subway pole.
You just threw up a little in your mouth, didn't you"
I have no idea why she did this. I actually just searched the BabyCenter archives, and there are some good community threads if you, too, wonder why your child licks everything. But at the time, I just got really grossed out and had to resist the urge to wipe her tongue with antibacterial gel.
There she is, eyeing her target...
She was fine. Not even a sniffle afterward. And while my case is extreme, most parents I know have looked away for a moment, then looked back to see their kid scarfing down a handful of dirt, or eating something off the floor, or inspecting the bottom of their shoe.
It turns out, a little dirt is good for kids. Dr. Jack Gilbert, a dad and scientist who studies microbial systems, just wrote Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child's Develop...