Moms, how protective are you of your children?

I can see your point about not wanting your son to get hurt and protecting him as much as possible but try to loosen up a little. Your reasons above are valid (except for the dirty floors in someones house)but you do need to loosen up a little. Kids are supposed to get dirty and have boo boos and look like they need a bath. He needs to explore and dig in the dirt with his hands and stuff like that. Give him a chocolate ice cream cone and let it drip all over his clothes and face, what harm is it going to do, and if it stress you than you need to find out why you have this need to keep him so "perfect". So for one day don't change his clothes every time he gets it a little dirty. Comb his hair once in the morning and once after his nap and that is enough.