So I packed up a snack and we went to a new park that afternoon, just like Eddie wanted (always wants) to do. This time we went to Sandy Motley Park, which was fun because it had a backhoe digging toy and a seesaw.
I brought his little red potty and I'm glad I did...he needed to use it.
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| Tucked behind a rock doing his thing. |
After this particular pottying at the park experience, I asked my Facebook friends about what happened there:
Question for parents: what's the etiquette for kids to go potty at the park? We've nixed daytime diapers and not all parks have restrooms. So we just take a little Ikea potty and Lysol wipes wherever we go (restaurants, too, since Eddie hates "loud potties").
Yesterday we were at a park and a little girl watched me take Eddie's potty out of my bike basket and remind Eddie to use it when he needed to go. She immediately told her mom she needed to pee...the mom looked at me and laughed, saying, "Oh...we don't bring a potty...she just pees near a tree," and then helped her daughter squat to pee.
I'm not necessarily against public urination for little tots--but I couldn't figure out if this woman was laughing AT me bringing a potty or if she was defending herself for not bringing one. Thoughts? I don't have much sans-diaper experience with kids Eddie's age...is tree peeing the norm?
Mike Halliday C is a tree-peeing pro. It's pretty much a right of passage for all little boys.
April 18 at 11:11am via mobile ·
Dianne Toy Louie My kids done many a behind the bush peeing, especially on those trips down I-5 to LA. But, I normally try to find a discrete spot for them, and never in front of an audience. That would be too wierd.
Julie Levie Bower So what do folks do for kids who aren't "fully" trained to hold their poop until a parent can locate and transport them to a toilet? Eddie needed to go yesterday and I'm glad I had the potty because otherwise he'd have had to poop his pants.
Colleen Hiner For boys, tree-peeing is pretty normal. I have struggled to get Eleanor into the concept. Maybe other girls are into it, though!
April 18 at 11:13am via mobile ·
Mike Halliday I try to keep in mind nearby bathrooms. If I know that's unlikely, I would put C in a day diaper.
April 18 at 11:15am via mobile ·
Hope Lewis Doesn't sound like either one - sounds like her laughter was probably an acknowledgement of how silly the whole thing is.
Megan Rashe Brennan Tree peeing is fine for boys. But for number 2 not so much. Taking a little potty is a good idea.
April 18 at 11:32am via mobile ·
Melissa Vergino White Here kids just learn to pee wherever they are. It's the norm. We have had bbqs where are friends kids just pull down their pants and pee on our lawn. A mom I know says she brings doggy poo bags when out in places with no bathrooms.
April 18 at 11:39am via mobile ·
Mariah Shill I'm not big on public urination if its emergency needed fine but we toted a potty too (sometimes in the back of the fan with the hatch closed. I know they are kids but there are some decencies I like to keep
April 18 at 11:58am · ·
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Julie Levie Bower I agree Mariah Shill: I seem to be a prude-pottier-but-okay-with-home-nudity mom. I never would have guessed. Ha! I guess I don't want to teach Eddie that peeing anywhere is okay because I don't want him to whip it out at a wedding or the farmers market or something. Maybe I'm just crazy.
April 18 at 12:01pm · · 2
Mariah Shill I don't think its crazy. I'm all for all natural not being embarrassed about your body but there is still some modesty to be kept. Like if your in labor yes hang out all naked but don't answer your door.
April 18 at 12:08pm · · 1
Jaime Adams I'm terrible cause even my girls will squat & go behind a tree if there isn't a bathroom nearby. But only to pee & they always ask me to help, so I know they won't just go anywhere, anytime. ;)
Cassie Farinsky We are the same, if we cant find a bathroom (or the one there is really bad, like poop on the seat) then she pops a squat behind something, bush or tree or whatever to give herself some privacy. But I honestly can't ever remember a time when she had to poop and we couldnt find a potty. Here's another option, I've seen people use themhttp://www.amazon.com/Folding-Travel-Potty-BONUS- Sani-Hands/dp/B004EW0TF6
www.amazon.com
You will receive (1) Cool Gear Travel Potty with (3) BONUS Sani-Hands Wipes. Abo...See More
Laura Marion I'm no expert, but as a child once myself, I would vastly prefer to have a portable-potty (ha!) than pop a squat in public. I think that lady was defending herself.
Bill Buchanan Our boys peed against trees. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with your bringing a portable potty either. The lady was just jealous of your foresight. Good job, mother.
April 18 at 1:26pm · · 1
Mike Halliday I agree with Bill. Do what you feel is right for you and Eddie. We all know you're a great mom.
April 18 at 2:11pm via mobile ·
Amanda Parson I think the mom was laughing because she was uncomfortable with her daughter wanting to use your toilet; like when my girl wants to eat others snacks. No matter what you do, your going to make someone feel uncomfortable so you'll just have to go with your gut.
April 18 at 2:16pm · · 1
Katherinne Hartwig Is your potty a portable potty? I've been worried about taking my nieces to the park because of no bathrooms. I am NOT a fan of letting them go outdoors in public.
Julie Levie Bower $4 from Ikea: http://www.babygadget.net/2008/05/ikea_potty.php It fits into a plastic shopping bag.
We got home in time to reheat a frozen homemade pizza for dinner AND plant some beans in the garden. And so concluded our perfect afternoon together: we both got to do what we really wanted, and we got to do it together. I spoke to my mom on the phone that night and she sounded comfortable and much better than before. I was amazed that night how much relief I felt. My stress was gone and I really felt recharged. It was great and evidently, just what I needed. Spending time with him definitely recharged me.
Yesterday I went to Livermore to visit with my mom (sans germy Eddie), now that she's out of the hospital and on her way to recovery. We didn't do much--just had lunch at our favorite Japanese restaurant, Hanabishi, and chatted at the house. It was particularly nice because Edward and my dad joined us, so it was us 4 Levies together. We didn't do much other than that. She had some chores to do around the house so my dad and I spent some time diving up herb seeds so we could each plant some. My heart aches to see her sick, but I know that she's getting the care she needs and it was so nice to hang out with her for a bit.
2 comments:
It's unreal how much comfort I often find in my children. So glad to hear that you mom is on the road to recovery!
That's so hard, Julie. I hurt along with you when I hear how worried you are/were about your mom. Its so wonderful that you can find relief in gardening and of course with Eddie, and even more wonderful that your mom is doing better! Sending some hugs to you from down here.
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