TALES FROM THE POTTY - PUBLIC RESTROOMS
While I am anxious about the day when my son finally sheds the security of diapers, I am very apprehensive about subjecting him to public restrooms or port-o-potties. Personally, I use the “hover technique” when I use public facilities especially those that appear to not have been cleaned fastidiously, and my foot to flush. With all my practice, I'm pretty darn good at it. This technique does help limit the contact between self and unsanitary conditions (and to appease my mind a bit). But, how can this be achieved when you’re just a wee little person, especially one that needs help, and one that cannot hover, or likes to grab onto the seat? Ew, just the thought of his little fingers touching the toilet sends shivers up my spine. Blech!
Further, how do you handle outings solo with two kids in tow? Most restrooms are barely big enough to fit one adult, but with the whole family along, someone's bound to accidently touch a surface that's not been cleaned so well. It makes perfect sense to try to go potty before leaving the house, but I'm certain that we will need to use a public restroom at some point in the future. I'm all about options and figuring out alternatives. So here's a few ideas I've come up with (while not all would work or apply to every type of outing scenario and it seems like a dismally short list of options).
- Leave a potty seat in the back of the car. Better to go in your own potty than in a dirty public bathroom.
- Find a nice bush outside for #1 situations. I see this happening all the time at the playground.
- Lay down plenty of toilet paper and make sure to wash hands thoroughly after going.
Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but just to humor this mama, any suggestions?
Technocrati tags: potty-training
We have also brought our DS's potty along and left it in the back of the car with a bath towel underneath it. For the times that he does have to use a public bathroom, we just make sure to wash his hands after he's done. I think that's the best we can do at this time.
Posted by: betty | February 15, 2006 at 08:42 PM
Melissa on Blogging Baby http://www.bloggingbaby.com/2006/02/13/blogging-baby-size-six-potty-training/ posted about a One-Step Ahead fold up potty seat http://www.onestepahead.com/product/86184/150774/117.html. Has anyone tried it? I might have to get one. I have visions of my son falling into the bottomless pit of the outdoor latrine on our upcoming cabin get-away.
Posted by: Hau | February 15, 2006 at 10:08 PM
Going to the potty in public places was a MUST for us when diving into potty training. The real draw is whether it's going to be loud or not (he has to cover his ears so that leaves the flushing to me). My personal protocol is to give the seat a quick wipe and then heave him up on it. He has to touch the seat to steady himself and I've resigned myself to that. I guess if I wanted to be more particular I would wash the seat with a disinfecting spray first. Also, not all restrooms keep their soap well stocked, so I use hand sanitizer -- Andrew thinks that's fun.
Posted by: Shetha | February 16, 2006 at 08:33 AM
Not to sound like the crazy grandma who stuffs sugar packets in her purse at restuarants, but I grab extra disposable toilet seat covers from facilities that have those. I keep them in my bag, along with baby wipes and hand sanitizer. I also keep a small hand towel in there in case the restroom doesn't have paper towels or only a handblower (of which my daughter is terrified.) I also keep an S-shaped hook in the bag that I can hook over the top of the stall door to hang stuff. It's a struggle enough to maneuver around a tiny stall while ensuring your child and their many belongings and your purse don't fall into the toilet! All this, and my daughter isn't even fully potty trained yet-- it's all for ME! :)
Posted by: Hayley | February 16, 2006 at 08:55 AM
We use the fold up potty seats and they work well. I use two - one has handles and I like it better than the one with Sesame Street characters. I got both at BRU. Kate dislikes public restrooms, mostly for the loud toilets, but she seems to be overcoming her fear. For some reason the bathrooms on airplanes don't bother her but they are such a pain - what a mess and now she and I and my big belly don't fit anymore.
Posted by: Blair | February 16, 2006 at 09:16 PM
My experience with potty training + public restrooms, the worst thing about it has been getting my son's shoes, pants and underpants off all without touching the grimy, smelly, bacteria-ridden floor. It's almost like getting a mini-workout crouching down on the bathroom floor balancing with my son on my lap, pulling clothes off and holding them up in the air, then putting him on the potty with clothes, shoes, jacket and purse all in hand. Its a relief.
And then he's done going and you have to start all over again in reverse.
Posted by: Maple | February 17, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Here's the Parent Hacks take on this subject:
http://www.parenthacks.com/2006/02/what_to_do_with.html
Posted by: Asha | February 18, 2006 at 03:08 PM
I know right...? I have the same aprehensions about my twins using the unsanitary restrooms... touching stuff... Echhh!
Posted by: Port-o-potties | March 03, 2009 at 03:09 PM