Apple Bobbing

I would only do it if each child had a small bucket and an apple to bob for . Nix on the communal apple bucket at this time!

I do not think you are being paranoid at all. When my son was little we did bob for apples on the clothesline. Tie a string to the apple stem and tie it to the clothesline ( swing set, whatever you have). They have to keep their hands behind their back and try to get the apple with their mouth. It was great fun. His bday is in October so sometimes it was too cold for water apple bobbing. more clean too. If the apple does not have a stem you can get those shishkebob sticks and poke it down in there, They are at walmart for like 100 sticks for $1.99. Good luck.

I don't think you're paranoid either.
I like the Bowl idea. My guess is other parents won't be entirely comfortable with it either.
Hope it works out.
K.

You are not being paranoid. You did her a favor. It will be so much better for her to have heard this from a family member than from the parents of other children, and better in a private adult conversation than in front of the children.

I remember what great fun this game was when we were children. Also when we were children we didn't use seatbelts or sunscreen. We have learned things since then.

You are right, and you did right. There is nothing as important as protecting your child.

No you are not being paranoid, even if we weren't worried about swine flu, we now know this is not a healthy game. It was a tradition for many years at our school carnival to do bobbing for apples in a bucket with water.. It was the kids, thank goodness, who began to refuse to bob. That is when they came up with this solution...

She can still play this game but instead of bobbing in a community bucket, hang the apples, (we use donuts) from a string and have the kids try to catch "their" apple or donut with no hands... They can be hung from a tree a deck roof... It is great if they are hung so the kids have to get a a little bit on their toes...

NO!!! Stick to your guns! Explain to your children before you go that you do not want them to participate in THAT event, and why. Lay it out , and say no exceptions., to your kids and SIL! Your children will feel better about knowing why rather than getting there and being told no in front of the activity!
Good luck!

Wouldn't let my kids do this, regardless if there was swine flu but especially now that there is. Its so gross, stick to guns, talk to ur kids beforehand.

No, absolutely not! Apple bobbing may seem like fun but nowadays, you don't want to risk catching anything. Not only can cold or flu viruses spread that way but the coldsore virus as well (aka 'mouth herpes', which you CAN get in ways other than kissing). Although some kids may not be sick w/anything, there's always that chance they may've been exposed somewhere else. I think you're right on the dot for being cautious. I hope your & your family stays well but participating in something like that may cause sickness more easily than just being around someone as everyone's mouths will be touching not just only one apple, but most of the apples in the tank. I would go so far as to write everyone's name on their cup too. If your SIL gets upset over that, that's her problem. She should appreciate you & praise you for being cautious & she should follow your lead as well as the other parents. Not meaning any offense to her but she should be mature enough to accept your decision. Good luck!

Please do not follow the recommendation for putting bleach in the water. Bleach on clothes, or even to use it diluted to wash our hands might be a good idea. But I certainly would not use it in water that my child is sticking his/her face into, let alone opening the mouth and accidently drinking some of that water.

You are not paranoid. I like the idea one woman suggested about having each child use their own bowl. Other than that, I would tell my children not to participate. Swine flu or not, the passing of viruses is too risky.

I agree with your first response, to have the apples hang from a string, and have each child try to catch it without the use of their hands...this is the way we did it in school.

You are absolutely NOT paranoid. I remember for whatever reason talking to my husband about how this was an activity when we were growing up and how gross it was and how we have never seen this done in years. Without the swine flu it is gross as well as risky, but with it? Why would your SIL pick this time (swine flu being so dangerous) to play such a germ-spreading game? Stick to your guns-there will un-doubtedly be other moms siding with you!
I needed to edit my response-seperate bowls or the cltheline are a great alternative. PLEASE DO NOT use BLEACH in water that SMALL children will be putting their mouths in!!!!

A RESOUNDING NOOOOOOO!! You are NOT being paranoid. You are just looking after your kids. None of us really knows how things are going to play out with this swine flu thing, and it never hurts to be cautious. I would just let your sister-in-law's reaction go. She probably will see the wisdom of your choice in the next few weeks. If not, there's nothing you can do about it. You owe your family your protection and concern--not hers.

Two weekends ago (before all this flu stuff) we had a birthday party for our daughter. I wanted to do something with apples too. We had a variety of ages and came up with toss the apple into a basket game. For the younger ones, they got to stand closer and the older ones had a smaller basket to toss into and stood farther away! I found realistic looking fake apples for 99cents at WalMart. Getting one in got them a prize from the prize box of their choice to add to their goodie bag. If they got all four in, they got a special prize. They are so many things to do that don't involve putting children at risk for a potentially deadly disease!

If she insists on her original plan, I would say you are choosing not to participate in that game. While that part is going on, you could have your kids help you with picking up all the wrapping paper or being the ones to pass out cake plates so it's not noticeable they aren't playing that part.

S.

I do not think that your over reacating in an way. I would be the same with the flus going around and all. You just need to be firm and not let your kids do it, even it it offends your sister! You would rather your kids be healthy than get sick!

NO! My MIL just told me yesterday that a small child died from this flu! Plus that game is gross anyway!

Hi R.,

No you aren't being paranoid. Even our church is taking precautions. We aren't going to distribute The Blood of Christ, hold hands at the Lord's Prayer or give The sign of Peace until the pandemic is over. I would seriously consider not going to the party. How can you tell your kids that they can't participate if everyone else at the party gets to? You are a good mom!

Good luck,
C.

Nope. I wouldn't let my child participate in that unless each kid had their own bucket. I'm surprised your sil doesn't think it could be unsanitary...

You are not being paranoid at all. Even if this swine flu pandemic wasn't occuring, I wouldn't let my kids do it. I have always thought it was a disgusting game. Might as well let your kids swim around in a bucket full of spit!!! Yuck.

Not at all! Better safe than sorry. Any parent should understand the concern so don't worry about your SIL's reaction. IMO, your SIL seems more concerned about the party festivities than the party guests!

No you are not being paranoid. Even if Swine Flu wasn't going around, it is not very sanitary. I don't even let my kids drink out of the water fountain. Whe you talk to your sister next, just play down the situation and just say every family has their own preferences and leave it at that.

No way you are not being paranoid. I wouldn't let my kids participate even if the flu wasn't going around. And what is she thinking by doing that during this time?? I used to be embarrassed about how I parented, but now I just do what I do and know that it's in the best interest of my kids, and that's what's important.

Yuck! I would never let my kids bob for apples even with there own family members! Don't worry about hurting anyones feeling. If someone thinks it is rude of you to not want your children to put there eyes, nose, and mouth in water that others have had there eyes, nose, and mouth in that is rediculous! I don't even let my kids use water fountains anymore. Now if she is going to have you bobing for apples in chlorinated pool water, maybe:)

NO! Even without swine flu, this is a great way to pass germs around. I wouldn't allow it either.

You are just being a cautious parent. There is nothing wrong with that! When it comes to your kids, their health and safety are a priority over offending someone.

No I don't think you are being paranoid. Alot of people don't do apple bobbing for the fact that it can easily spread germs. I am not a germaphobe at all and I probably wouldn't want my son to do it either. You are the mom, it's your call, end of story. Hopefully she will be able to understand that:)

I don't think you are being paranoid. They are your children, and you are the one who is going to be by their bedside when they are ill, not anybody else. My two year old has fever-induced epilepsy. Anytime he gets sick at all, he gets a fever, seizures, and ends up hospitalized. I am extremely careful about who he comes in contact with - even before the swine flue outbreak. My husband sometimes thinks I overdo it, but like I said, when he's sick, I am going to be sleeping in the hospital, not the parents of the other kids.

I'm with you on this one. I certainly wouldn't let my children participate right now with everything that is going on, and I really don't think I would have wanted them participating even before we started talking about Swine Flu. I think your sil is in for a surprise at the party...you will not be the only parent who does not want their children to do it.

And let me add, I'm NOT usually an overly "germ conscious" mom. I'm pretty laid back about these things but like I said, this is beyond even my tolerance for germs.

Good luck,
K.

I don't think you can be too careful right now. They say this swine flu is a new virus and none if us has a natural immunity to it. Kids are little germ factories by nature. I do like the “each child should have their own bowl” idea. Each parent could bring a bowl and three apples that way the hostess won’t have the full expense or burden. We should all be extra vigilant and aware about how germs spread and how we contract colds and flu’s. Good luck.

Maybe you can suggest that each child have their own bowl of water with one or two apples in it.
A.

Here is a link to a good article about swine flu that could put some things in perspective...

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/0...

I would make sure none of the kids have any symptoms of being sick, but remember you can get sick from touching the same surfaces (from someone sick) and touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. I'm sure you know with kids that's all the time. Good luck and try not to worry yourself too much.

Absolutely not! Swine flu or not, apple bobbing is a gross practice.

Here's an example to illustrate that you can tell your SIL:
We play outside with our neighbors and their children almost everyday. We never let our children share popsicles or cups with another child, unless it's a sibling. So why would we let ALL the children stick their head in the same bucket to bob for apples? Not only are they all taking in and spitting out water, but hair gets in the water too. How many of us want to eat or drink something if SOMEONE ELSE'S hair is in it? It's just gross.

I did like the suggestions of hanging the apples from a tree or giving each child their own little bucket. Otherwise, I would pass with my children....flu season or not!

Yes, a little! But I can understand your concern. A couple drops of bleach in the water and it will be fine. How old are the kids? THey may be too young to participate anyway. She may find that most parents are not willing to have their kids participate in this activity and cancel it.

I feel the media is more negative than ever, and loves to spread Gloom & Doom. The regular flu kills many people each year. Are we going to run and hide ever time the media claims the "The sky is falling!"? As far as the apple bobbing is concerned...I think it's unsanitary, but not deadly. Just let your sil know you're uncomfortable with it, and ask that your child not partisipate.

I work for a state park agency where we conducted apple bobbing for years. The local board of health cleared the activity because we maintained the water to the chemical standard of our public pools (using regular bleach). The CDC offers this Q&A that states the flu is not likely transmitted through treated water. (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm) For indoor parties, there's probably more of a risk by just showing up.

For my kids, I figure the world is filled with risks, and some of the "unnecessary" ones are the most valuable ones to take. I hope to teach them to mitigate the risks and live a wholesome life.

You are not overreacting. Why not suggest other ways to bob for apples. I.E. Fish for apples, get a small toy fish net from the dollar store or someplace like that and blind fold the kids. I am sure that other moms won't participate in this game either. If you offer other suggestions for the apple game, it may not hurt her feelings.

Good Luck!!

Rather than relying on the media, go to the public health source. www.TexasFlu.org Swine Flu is a cause for concern, but not paranoia.
I'm posting an open letter from our health commissioner. My take, go, but if there is an obviously sick kid, leave. Hopefully parents are smart enough not to take a sick kid to a party.

DSHS is continuing to work with local public health officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on investigating the H1N1 flu. The situation remains fluid, with information and conditions changing rapidly. Possible cases of H1N1 flu in Texas are under investigation, and we will provide updates on our website when and if any of these cases are confirmed by the CDC.

As of this morning, there are 141 cases of H1N1 flu in the United States, with 28 of those in Texas.

Unfortunately, we experienced our first death related to the H1N1 flu. On Wednesday we received confirmation from the CDC of the death of 22-month-old boy who had been hospitalized in Houston. The boy, who had underlying health problems, was visiting Texas from Mexico City, and had arrived here several days before becoming ill. Our condolences go out to the family.

The World Health Organization has raised its Pandemic Alert phase from Level 4 to Level 5. This means that larger clusters of illness are found, but human-to-human spread is still localized, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans but may not yet be fully transmissible. According to WHO, effective and essential measures against the H1N1 flu include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities. DSHS and local public health officials already have been initiating these measures

Evidence indicates that the virus is continuing to spread. There are additional “probable” and “suspected” cases in Texas and in other states. Therefore, Texas is responding aggressively to this event.

When a hurricane is approaching the Texas coast, we prepare for a level higher than is predicted – we prepare for a Category 3 hurricane when a potential Category 2 hurricane is approaching. In this current outbreak, we are going to respond as if it is going to be worse than it currently is. We believe that this is a very rational and prudent approach to take in response to this event.

Many DSHS employees across the state and local health officials continue to actively investigate all suspected cases. We’ve been working very closely with Commissioner Robert Scott and the staff of the Texas Education Agency to evaluate any possible school closures. DSHS also has developed Texas-specific information on a variety of topics related to the H1N1 flu response to provide to local health departments, health-care providers, nursing homes, and first responders.

We know there is a large amount of media coverage of this global event. We understand the power and presence of the news media. It’s easy to get caught up in some of the frenzy and chatter of media coverage, blogs, and other activity. There is no shortage of ominous headlines and “expert” commentary.
DSHS is working hard in response to this event, based on the information we currently have available. Right now there is a cause for concern, but not for alarm. While there is still some uncertainty as this situation continues to evolve, I ask that we keep things in perspective, stay focused on our duties, and not be distracted by what the next headline may say.

We need to stay as healthy as possible during this period of intense work, not only in response to the H1N1 flu, but in working through the activities required for the legislative session and our other day-to-day work. Please remember to cover your cough and sneezes, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, and stay home if you are sick. These basic health precautions that everyone can practice will go a long way in helping us battle this disease outbreak.

For additional information on the H1N1 flu event, visit www.TexasFlu.org.

Thank you for everything you are doing to protect the health and well-being of Texans.

Thanks,

David Lakey

Yes, I think so. I'm just as bad, though. But, you have to learn to let go sometimes.

I don't know where in the area you live, but our schools are closed for this coming week. If they're taking that type of precaution, parents really should rethink games like apple bobbing right now. Honestly, everyone is probably going to be fine, but if they're asking us not to take unnecessary risks, this would be a time to alter that activity.

(I wouldn't have had to worry about that anyway, since my daughter won't go near anything that will get her face wet!)

YES!!!! your kids are not going to get the swine flu just by participating in apple bobbing!!! Lets get this straight---swine flu is just another form of the flu. keep in mind that the REGULAR flu kills thousands of people each year--which is why they recommend getting a flu shot--look at the statistics--there are people out there who have gotten it and lived!! and have stated they have symptoms just like regular flu... don't feed into the hype...let them have fun!!

No, not at all. I would not let them particpate without the swine flu. I am a germ freak and there is spit in that water. Yuck. Those games were fun in the 70's when we were blissfully ignorant of germs. EEEEeeeeewwwwwww.

Yes R. you are overreacting. The places you take your child to on a daily basis, including your home, have more germs than the apple bobbing contest your sil is going to have. Let your daughter have a good time and be a part of the party.

Apple Bobbing is disgusting. Have you ever looked in the bucket of water after a few kids have done it! GROSS!