Mom Gets Defensive After Bestie Says Her Unclean House Is Reason Her Kids Are Getting Sick

In the Middle Ages, scientists seriously believed that mice and cockroaches spontaneously generated from dirt. No, in fact, many scientific papers have been devoted to this “theory.” Today, centuries later, many people seriously believe that dirt spontaneously generates… no, not mice, but diseases. Is this true? Well, let’s find out together.

So, today we bring you a story from the user u/OkOriginal4583, a mother of two, whose best friend constantly reproaches her for the “dirtiness” of the house and recently even claimed that a messy home is the source of her kids’ illnesses. Well, let’s just cut to the chase here.

More info: Reddit

Spotless home is a true homeowner’s delight but let’s be honest – nobody’s perfect

Exhausted mom sitting on floor with cleaning supplies, holding a cloth, overwhelmed by house chores and parenting.

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The author of the post is a mom of 2 and her bestie has a 5YO kid as well so their children are also friends

Text excerpt from Reddit post about an exhausted mom shamed by bestie over not having a spotless house.

Text excerpt from an exhausted mom shamed by bestie over house cleanliness and involving her children in the argument.

Text excerpt showing a mom expressing emotional exhaustion and concern about her children's relationships.

Text describing a tired mom facing challenges with housework, postpartum depression, and lack of support.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

Three young children playing together on the floor in a home environment with colorful toys around them

Image credits: freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The friend used to criticize the author for being “sloppy” and urged her to devote more time to chores

Text message conversation showing a tired mom explaining house mess caused by her kids amid bestie shaming.

Exhausted mom describes constant mess and cleaning challenges with kids while dealing with shaming over house cleanliness.

Text discussing an exhausted mom managing daily challenges while responding to criticism about her house not being spotless.

Text excerpt about exhausted mom explaining kids' sickness during cold/flu season, related to bestie shaming and household pressures.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

Young girl lying on a couch holding a teddy bear while an exhausted mom checks her forehead for a fever.

Image credits: peoplecreations / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Recently the bestie even claimed that the author’s “dirty” home is the main reason why her kids are “always sick”

Text message discussing an exhausted mom dealing with illness affecting her kids and conflict over a spotless house.

Text excerpt showing a tired mom expressing frustration after being shamed by her bestie about not having a spotless house.

Text excerpt about an exhausted mom facing criticism for not having a spotless house and involving her kids in the cleanup.

Text message discussing a mom feeling exhausted and conflicted after being shamed for her untidy house and involving her kids.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

Well, the author strongly disagreed with her and it all ended with a spat between them

Text message exchange showing exhausted mom defending her kids’ sickness against bestie blaming a dirty house and home contamination.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583 / Reddit

Text message exchange showing exhausted mom defending her not spotless house and involvement of her kids amid shaming.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583 / Reddit

Text message exchange showing an exhausted mom defending her home against bestie shaming over cleanliness and involving kids.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583 / Reddit

The mom even added some photos of her home in an update, swearing that she does a deep cleaning at least once a week

Exhausted mom feeling overwhelmed and shamed by bestie over messy house and involving her kids in the dispute.

Text on a white background reads a mom sharing pictures wished she had posted earlier to avoid hurt feelings.

Text excerpt addressing exhausted mom upset over friend shaming her spotless house and involving her kids in accusations.

Text on a white background reading the pediatrician has also never questioned their health.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

Mom cleaning shelves with spray bottle and cloth, showing exhaustion from maintaining a spotless house.

Image credits: bearfotos / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The toddlers are for sure the ones who make the most of the mess, but the author sometimes is too exhausted to control everything

Text excerpt showing a mom explaining how she owned and took care of a messy house despite being exhausted and shamed by her bestie.

Text on a plain background saying my house is no longer in the state and hasn’t been for a very long time, reflecting an exhausted mom’s struggle.

Text excerpt from an exhausted mom sharing frustrations about being shamed by bestie over her house and kids.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

Living room with kids’ toys and a mom resting on the couch in a lived-in household setting.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583 / Reddit

So the woman actually took the bestie’s words personally and is now in two minds on what to do

Exhausted mom responds after bestie shames her for not having a spotless house and involving her kids.

Text image showing a mom explaining feeling overwhelmed by cleaning as messes quickly reappear after she finishes.

Text excerpt showing a mom explaining why her kids’ messes need understanding instead of shame about her house cleaning.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

Kitchen with toddler-proofed cabinets and everyday clutter, highlighting exhausted mom’s battle for a spotless house.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583 / Reddit

According to the author’s words, the friend often criticizes her not knowing about the details of her life

Text on a white background stating a mom is criticized by her bestie for not doing more despite already doing everything she can.

Text from a mom defending her kids' happiness and behavior amid criticism about not having a spotless house.

Exhausted mom shamed by bestie for messy house snapping when kids get involved in the argument.

Alt text: Message from an exhausted mom thanking supporters after being shamed for not having a spotless house.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583

So the mom took this online to vent about and to receive some support and advice as well

The Original poster (OP) says she has two children, boys aged 4 and 2, and her best friend is the mother of a 5-year-old girl, the OP’s oldest son’s friend. Apparently, her bestie status gives this lady some moral right to constantly criticize the author – and the subject of this criticism is most often her home.

Yes, the author’s home isn’t exactly a paragon of cleanliness, but considering she and her husband have been through tough times and are sometimes quite tight on money, this can be explained. The youngest kid can sometimes do his number two straight on the carpet or furniture – but the author swears she cleans up after him right away.

Then, recently, a friend unleashed another barrage of criticism on our heroine, claiming that her “dirty” home is the reason her children are constantly sick. According to the mom, the kids certainly get sick – but no more often than other children in the neighborhood. The OP took it for an accusation of being a bad mom, and it all ended with a fight.

Moreover, a couple of days later, having received many angry comments from netizens, our heroine posted photos of her house in an update and wrote that she does a deep cleaning about once a week. Yes, sometimes an exhausted mom can have a hard time keeping up with messy kids (and almost all toddlers are real masters at mess), but does that actually make her a bad mom?

Playroom with scattered toys and kids' furniture, highlighting an exhausted mom's reality of a non-spotless house.

Image credits: OkOriginal4583 / Reddit

So what do science and medicine tell us? On the one hand, yes, modern research confirms that a messy house could actually cause health issues, especially among young children. For example, the authors of this study from the Ohio State University concluded that these problems are interconnected.

“Kindergarten-age children have poorer health if their home life is marked by disorder, noise, and a lack of routine,” the related article on the university website claims. On the other hand, British researchers argue that the pervasive desire for cleanliness among modern homeowners causes a significantly higher rate of allergies in people than before.

Netizens’ opinions on this story were also very divided. Some folks, comparing photos of the original poster’s home with what they see in other people’s homes (and their own, let’s be honest, nobody’s perfect), sincerely noted that our heroine is right and that she shouldn’t be accused of neglecting her own children’s health.

Others, however, believe that’s precisely what best friends are for – to give you a friendly nudge in a difficult moment, steer you in the right direction. “She sounds like a real friend if she’s willing to have a hard conversation like this with you,” someone wrote in the comments. So which viewpoint do you, our dear readers, favor? Please feel free to share your thoughts below.

The netizens were very divided as some people agreed with the author but some admitted that this case is actually what besties are for

Reddit comments showing an exhausted mom defending her messy house after being shamed by her bestie involving her kids.

Reddit comments discussing an exhausted mom shamed by bestie over house cleaning and involving her kids.

Reddit conversation showing exhausted mom discussing challenges of managing kids and a messy house amid friend’s criticism.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing an exhausted mom shamed by bestie for not having a spotless house.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment discussing confusion about kids never leaving the house in a mom shaming conversation.

Comment discussing exhausted mom shamed for messy house, highlighting mental health and tough love intervention concerns.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment about parenting challenges and the impact of involving kids in disputes.

Alt text: Exhausted mom shamed by bestie for messy house, defends herself when kids are involved and stands up for support.

Comment discussing perceptions about messy houses and how people with pets might not notice household scents related to cleanliness.

Comment discussing an exhausted mom dealing with criticism from her bestie about her messy house and involving her kids.

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