I realized today, right in the middle of watching a commercial, that I’ve been desensitized.
I don’t feel things the way that I used to feel them.
I can look at something that I used to find horrific and it doesn’t elicit the same emotions.
Not even close.
But often when we hear about people becoming desensitized, it’s usually our young people, and it’s usually blamed on the movies, video games, music and media which is generally accepted as normal in today’s society.
I’m not here to debate whether or not this is happening, but I can tell you two things for certain.
1. I am not young.
2. I do not attribute my own desensitization to what I watch in the movies or on TV, nor the music I listen to, and I don’t play video games.
No, my desensitization is happening much closer to home.
Actually, it’s happening in my home.
Mostly in the bathrooms…
Mostly from my children (although I’m not ready to rule out my husband completely either)…
So this October, as I watch commercials for horror movies playing throughout the month leading up to Halloween, I scoff out loud.
Vampires?
Monsters?
Serial Killers?
Zombies?
Well, okay maybe zombies…
But to all the other scary movies I say, “Pfffffft!”
You want to be afraid?
You want real gore?
You want real horror?
Come clean the toilet shared by an eight and six year old boy and a four year old girl.
If you’re brave enough to face what’s lurking under, on, and all around that lid, you won’t be afraid of anything.
*Cue scary music*
The desanitized will leave you desensitized.
I think I’m going to pitch this to Clorox since I still haven’t heard back from Purell.
Seems like it would be a good fit between those horror movies playing all month.
Do you think they’ll go for it? Do you enjoy watching scary movies? Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
For more Halloween-ish posts read: 9 Ways Living with Kids is just like Living in a Haunted House
Comments
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Stephanie says
I think they should totally go for it. I’m actually taking a 10-ish minute break from cleaning my own bathrooms all of which three children use and I’m disgusted. I was using clorox wipes with a glove on one hand (very much like Michael Jackson but replace the glitter with, well, grossness). I am with you on the desensitization, I can sit through a Dexter marathon snacking and drinking but wipe behind a toilet or under the seat and I’m about to lose my breakfast. The pic is hilarious, I’ve got to get a mask!
It is gross, and I hear that it only gets worse as they get older…I’m not sure how that’s possible because I see some nasty stuff pretty much on the daily. I never go more than two days without wiping off the sink (which is usually a combo of what they ate for meals all over the spigot and soap bottle with toothpaste everywhere to boot), and the toilet…oh, the toilet. I try not to even try to figure out what happened anymore. I can’t wait until they’re old enough to clean it themselves…maybe that will help inspire better aim. Although I won’t be holding my breath (except for when I’m cleaning like you ? )!
Amy says
I am seriously laughing so hard right now! You are completely correct-if you can face cleaning the toilet then you can handle anything! And shame on Purell for not having gotten back to you! I love following your blog!
Amy, I was truly disappointed that Purell never called. Maybe they will now if the Clorox ad takes off ?
Laura says
I know exactly how you feel a toilet for five is much creepier than Dracula. And of course, I’m literally the only person willing to clean the bathroom!
At this point, I’m the only one that I’d trust to clean it….but I’m also the only one willing to do it either!
Kristina says
Ugh. Yep, that was me yesterday. I’m not sure if my 12 year-old or 3 year-old boy has worse aim.
It does get worse as they get older. The 12 year-old clogs the toilet now and brags about his “manly dumps”. It’s disgusting.
I’ve got 3 boys the same ages as your kids. I gave up on Clorox when I could still scent the pee under the not-quite-overwhelming bleach smell. VINEGAR is my savior!
Well, that and having found an easy-off toilet seat/lid that somehow does not collect rancid emissions in it’s crevices. Oh, and one can never over-state the rapture that is a child who loves to scrub toilets. Just sayin.
vudean says
We’ve got 3 boys here and it smells like a urinal. I think the only thing that would help is if we power washed the whole bathroom