So, I was in the rest room at the grocery store, waiting for Freya to get done.
A mom comes in and sits her 3 year old down in the stall next to us. Her daughter proceeds to go poop. Her mom looks at her with furrowed brows (I know this because we are both standing out side of the stalls looking into our respective daughter's stalls) and says, "Are you pooping? We don't usually poop in public potties, Honey."
That got me to thinking about the "potty rules" we all use or don't use. Is this something else I need to teach my kids? Are there really unwritten rules we must follow when using a public restroom? I know there are a few I follow, how about you?
Here are a few that you may want to pass on to your toilet-in-training tots:
1. Always leave an empty stall between stalls-in-use if at all possible. Those thin partitions are not enough privacy.
2. Don't talk to your friend while using the toilet. Unless you can do two, that's 2 things, at once. If you must talk don't expect a reply, not everyone likes to talk while on the pot.
3. Check to see if you have paper before you unzip and sit. Chances are the stall next to you is empty and if it's not, you may not get a reply. See rules 1 and 2 above.
4. Squat, squat, squat.
5. Use your foot to flush, everyone else does.
6. Do not poop.
7. If you must poop, wait until someone else flushes.
8. If you can't wait until someone else flushes, flush your toilet at the precise moment when needed. It takes timing and practice but you can do it. A loud cough can work well in times of dire need.
9. Finish zipping and tucking in the stall. The only exception to this rule is if there is a line of more than 3 people. If there is a line, come out while pulling up, every other lady out there will thank you.
10. Finally, the most important rule, just make sure it gets into the toilet. That is all that really matters. Sheesh.
