Potty Training

There’s a lot of nastiness about potty training, but even once the child has the procedure understood, there’s a lot of icky stuff about using the toilet. Especially using public toilets.

Calfgrit3 has been reliably using the toilet for several months now, and we’re confident enough that he only wears a diaper or pull up when sleeping. At home, he can use the bathroom on his own, though we do usually need to help him with his pants. When we’re out, though, we have to oversee the whole operation.

Public restrooms are awful. It’s a terrible feeling that comes over me when we’re at some store and he says, “I have to go potty.” My skin crawls and I shiver at the thought of the nastiness that is a public restroom. Even the best restrooms are less than comfortably clean.

When we take him to a public restroom I’m constantly saying, “Please don’t touch that,” while wiping the toilet seat. I take his shoes off, so I can take his pants and underwear off completely. I don’t want his pants, around his ankles, brushing up against the underside of the disgusting toilet bowl.

Wash up afterward is of questionable thoroughness. I hold him up to the sink with one arm, which is not real comfortable for either of us, and I turn on the water, get the soap, and make sure he gets his little hands under the water with the other arm. Considering the conditions of the restroom, I don’t know if washing at the sink is even effective for killing germs.

I try very hard to remember to get Calfgrit3 to use the bathroom at home before we leave for anywhere because I really, really don’t want to have to take him into a public restroom. <shiver> Plleegghh.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com