Public Potty Etiquette

Each time I attend my daughter’s soccer game, practice or clinic, I find myself thinking about etiquette. Merriam Webster’s definition of etiquette is the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life. In layman’s terms, parents should raise their children to conduct themselves properly while in a social setting. With that said, it’s on us as parents to teach our children to do what’s right and at the appropriate time.

After soccer practice last week, I walked my son to the car and as we were just steps away from opening our door I saw a boy no older than 4 or 5 years old whizzing on the street behind his family vehicle. Standing right beside him as if to falsely shield him from the hundreds of soccer fans, children playing at the adjacent playground or homeowners across the street, were his lovely parents. To make matters worse, the little boy had his pants dropped to his ankles exposing his rear end. Is this appropriate? No. Is it necessary to let your child urinate when the feeling hits? Yes. Was there a public restroom for the little boy to use? No. What could have been done to prevent this was a quick trip to the potty before leaving home. Another option which is semi private but better than letting your kid whiz in public is to have a potty seat traveler in your vehicle at all times. You can find this at your nearest Buy Buy Baby or Babies R’ Us.

I have a lovely girl friend, you know who you are, who also happens to have a lovely daughter, who gives one of these to every mommy-to-be at her baby shower. She will give you a gift off of your registry but you better believe this will accompany your gift. I have one and have only had to use it once. I try my best to have my daughter potty before leaving the house every time. Here are more items in our potty arsenal you might want to use.

So in closing, parents please maintain your child’s dignity by preventing this from happening. Would you urinate in public with your private parts exposed? No? Well, neither should your child. If you don’t teach them the right way of doing things, who will? I will.

I'm starting to potty train my 21 month old and there are some interesting things out there. I'll post more items later. But for now...

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