Can you learn to be more adventurous? I say yes! Getting cuts or scrapes really isn’t all that bad. You just need one thing: a red washcloth.
When I was a kid, there was always a red washcloth hanging on the back of the bathroom door.
You see, my mom realized that if you lead an more adventurous life, cuts and scrapes come with the territory. Hence the red washcloth — if there was blood, you were supposed to use the red washcloth and not one of the pretty white or yellow ones. Any stains would just blend in with the red washcloth.
I don’t want to make her out as uncaring (or abusive) but mom believed that a parent’s duty was to raise kids with the necessary skills to be independent — and that happened as early as possible.
And to her (me too!) there are far worse things in life than a few cuts and scrapes or even broken bones.
Being afraid to try something new, being afraid of being hurt, being afraid of failure.
You certainly wouldn’t call her (or my dad, for that matter) overprotective — and I mean that in a good way. Instead, they gave me the skills to cope with problems on my own.
At a very early age — I forget just when but probably around kindergarten age — Mom taught me to treat my own cuts and scrapes as well as how to tell when I needed help. If Mom saw me coming home with a bloody knee or hopping to keep a cut foot out of the dirt (there were lots of clam shells in the lake and small cuts were common) she wouldn’t come running and make a fuss over me. She’d just remind me to go in the back door (where there was linoleum from there to the bathroom) and “use the red washcloth.”
Funny as it sounds, that red washcloth probably plays a big role in my adventurous spirit today. I learned that while you might get injured doing something, it wasn’t necessarily a disaster — Mom’s calm hands-off approach made me realize I could deal with an awful lot on my own. Overwhelmingly, the end result has been worth the risk — or reality — of injury. I’ve had all sort of wonderful experiences that I wouldn’t have had if I wanted to be safe.
And one of the first things that I laid out to take to Barefoot Gal, our new boat? I find it’s a good reminder — I can always learn to be more adventurous.
2020 Update: I just increased my stock of red washcloths by buying a dozen on Amazon.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Ruth says
Fantastic idea for the house, especially now with grandkids, but I’ll be sure to bring one to the boat, too! Thanks.
Lavinia Maggs says
I thought this was going to be some new product that you found (maybe with antibacterial qualities?). Instead, it was a glimpse into something personal about you – something very special. Thank you for sharing this- I still learned something new- but enjoyed the way it was delivered!
captain Bazza says
My dad, when we sustained some minor injury and were looking for sympathy, used to advise us to “lie down before you fall over and hurt yourself”.
Janine says
Funnily enough, I don’t have a red washcloth, but for similar reasons I grew up with white. Mum’s theory was….use the white ones because they could be bleached! To this day, I have white sheets and shorts etc. And plenty of scars to go with it.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Oh, I love it!
Chris says
Your Mom was a wise woman.
Steve A says
Beautiful post. One of my favorites so far.
Ann Capehart says
Thanks or sharing! We will be cruising in Florida next winter on our 26 foot cabin cruiser and I hope that we can meet you. I have read probably 200 of your amazing articles. Thank you thank you!
The Boat Galley says
We’d love to! Can’t wait!
Lupari Sue says
Love this idea and the symbolism behind it,. Thanks for sharing.
Page Escallier says
What a great story! I have it on my purchase list along with many things you’ve recommended! 😀
S/V Dos Libras says
Love it!
Anne Ellingsen says
Good tip!
D and Don svsoutherncross says
CAROLYN – thanks so much for giving all of us a glimpse into your childhood , which made up the real you. What a good idea. Makes me wonder why my Mom didn’t think of it. She had all sorts of wise ideas.
Example: on a clothes line if you hang out any shirts with buttons; hang from the bottom (hem side) up on the line. When attaching the three clothes pins, of course attach two of the pins on either side at the side seam first. Then for the middle pin, take the side of the shirt that has the buttons on it and lap it over the placket side (where the button holes are) so the that pin marks will be hidden when you wear the shirt.
Jason says
Green would be equally as good for cuts a scrapes..
After all it is why scrubs are green as blood does not show up as red on green.
Kind regards
Gwendolyn Webster says
Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for the tidbit 🙂
Ruth Golden says
Because of this post, I bought four red washcloths; two for the boat and one for each grand child’s family. Good advice and a good read.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Ruth — how wonderful!
Wilma Jones says
Great idea! My sons are almost grown now, but it’s good tip for me. I am always hurting something at kickball or something. Visiting from the SITS girls.
Nicola says
This is great and I know that you are a tough cookie, so it worked well. What color washcloth do you use for broken bones?
Carolyn Shearlock says
Any color. In the freezer to use as an ice pack. Frozen peas also work, or just a cold beer and a roll of duct tape. It’s a good idea to put another cold beer IN the patient, although maybe not for kids!
Diana K Weigel says
Too many parents have forgotten that the primary mission of their job is to raise independent and self reliant kids so they are independent and self reliant adults.
The Boat Galley says
And unfortunately, too many think that if you are raising an independent and self-reliant kid, you’re being a neglectful parent. C’mon, kids can’t walk a block or two by themselves?
Diana K Weigel says
Completely backwards! No wonder so many young adults are living with their parents.
Hazel Peterson says
Well done Your Mum. I expect she also taught you that clean clothes don’t grow on trees – and that meals don’t appear by magic three times a day. I’m with your mum – helping kids to learn skills so they can cope with life is a great gift that parents can give.
Georgi Wellington says
Wonderful idea!
Georgi Wellington says
Wonderful idea!
Terri Zorn says
Gee we must be related. 🙂 my mother’s was red also; sometimes navy blue. The lessons were the same as yours and I have tried to pass the legacy to my children. I totally agree with Hazel PetersonPeterson and Diana K Weigel…..must be a generational thing. 🙂
Roger Johnson says
I’m getting one for our daughter, Christine Johnson!!
Christine Johnson says
Love it! Great idea!!
Christine Kaineg says
I love this so much. My was the same way and I learned so much about being a strong, self sufficient woman from her approach to cuts and bruises!
Juli Russell says
Great story! Love it!
Barbara Garter says
I agree one hundred pecent
Barbara Garter says
I agree one hundred pecent
Kat Lundquist says
I like this Levey Peterson.
Dan Stiens says
Nathaniel Mitchell
Needlegirl says
I had always heard the reason for a red washcloth was that when washing a minor wound that was oozing blood, the blood wouldn’t show up as much, and the injured child would be less anxious and upset because he/she wouldn’t see all that bright red blood. It could actually be a very caring, sensitive thing to do for a child, not just a concern about blood stains on a light-colored “good” washcloth……
Fred Christoffel says
I was a college professor for over 30 years and you could see the difference from when I began teaching to the year I retired. You could also see the difference in those students who were allowed to fail, who when they scrape their knee were told to rub some grass on it and take a lap instead of being rushed to the doctor. I would watch students leave college level classes and call mommy or daddy to say how unfair heir professor was. As a former department chairman I fielded
calls from angry parents who were just sure heir Timmy or Susie was being treated unfairly. Give me a break, not everyone is an A student and not everyone gets a trophy in the real world; whatever that is.
It’s hard as a parent to not want to protect your children and fight their battles but you’re setting them up for failur, or worse a life living in your basement.
Oops sorry went off on a bit of a rant. I guess I deserve a juice box and some gram crackers..
Cynthia says
When I was about 10, living in a well-to-do neighbourhood, I used to grab my machete and go off with my chums & siblings for the day to build tunnels & forts in the brambles across the street. Nowadays I’d probably be shot.
Gwendolyn Webster says
Thank you, Carolyn! We just got back from that harbor after a 2 week Keys trip. What a blast! And, I’m picking up a red washcloth for my grandkids on the boat 🙂
Cindy Wallach says
Love it! We just have a bunch of blood stained light blue towels. Haha! Your mom was very wise in many ways.
Candy Ann Williams says
Thanks for sharing!! I feel fortunate to have been raised that way too… But we didn’t have a red washcloth…we needed one though… Lol!
Rox Adams says
Have a red wascloth, hand towel and bath towel from my brother’s
Rox Adams says
Navy day. Are great for the dog and her variety of ailments.
Oh Sail Yes says
Whoo Hoo! I couldn’t agree more! The adventures that my kids have gotten up to over the years is crazy 🙂 They made it through thus far with only one set of stitches, so we must be doing okay!
Anne Whiting Richardson says
This is the perfect article for me this morning. I needed someone to say toughen up and you did it perfectly. Thanks.
Ruth Golden says
I love this idea; we have them on our boat.
Dan N Jaye says
Sweet story, Carolyn!
Patty Reisiger says
Great story.
Ellen Dawson says
What a lovely reminiscence. So many of us don’t reflect on the small, symbolic features of our childhoods — and yet, they’re the moments that so powerfully make us who we are. Thanks for sharing this story.
Sandi Lisko says
Growing up we had a red washcloth as well. I travel with a black one for the same reason. I never gave it this much credit but you are so right!
SV Kuleana says
I used to have red washcloths. i got rid of all my red washcloths and now I have no pink socks. 😉
Ginny Teatro says
Thanks for sharing this personal piece
Kitty Cook Chatelain says
I love this!
Catherine Murphy Brown says
My kids laughed when I told them about the red facecloth. I added this is why I switched to buying white towels. You see from bleaching blood and other stains out of their colored childhood towels, I ended up with white towels with green and yellow thread that didn’t bleach out. I truly didn’t know it was a common idea, just adaptive survival.
Carl Stevenson says
Nice story, and a practical suggestion. It’s sad that so many parents today coddle their kids to the point where they have no idea of how to, or even that the should, take care of themselves.
Jody Goldman says
Share this with college students today. They need it.
Claude Thomas says
Hum I just learned something
Judith Nelson Cruzan says
Great story. When my kids were little we’d use a navy blue or dark brown. My daughter had some crazy nose bleeds that would last for an unusually long time. She wasn’t freaked out by the blood but my husband was. No one needs a 6ft2 225lb fainting Lilly in the kitchen.
Jennifer Baehre says
I like it! But then again, I also dye my hair red. Coincidence?
Yvonne Green Short says
Love it!!!! Today’s helicopter mom’s drive me crazy!
Joan Lightner says
Sounds about right to me
Verna says
Thanks for sharing this. That’s the way I was raised and I tried to raise mine similarly (no red washcloth though 😉). I needed this today as our youngest is having a great deal of difficulty with choosing a college for next year because she has some about choosing wrongly & and fear about going into a major that reflects her passion (music) because she’s afraid of how that will play out in the future!!!
This article has given me an idea of how to “coach” her without shoving down her throat what I think she should do…parenting young adults…totally for the fearless!
Richard Kokemoor says
At first I thought this article was going to be about red shop towels. I was wrong, but I do find them useful in the kitchen. They are far cheaper than kitchen towels, stay soft or become even softer when washed, and when they are too ugly or ragged to use there, they can go to their original purpose, and you always need to have some around for that use anyway. If they become irredeemably dirty, you don’t feel bad about discarding them.