Spirit (7 years old) and I were at the store last night to pick up a few things for Lady Bug's school. About half way through the store he tells me he has to use the bathroom, I asked if he could hold it and he said yes. Then about 10 minutes go by and he asks me how much longer he is going to need to hold it because now he has to go #2, not just #1.
Now, I had a decision to make: he has never used a public bathroom alone so should I take him to the woman's bathroom? Or just stand outside the men's while he goes in alone.
I asked him if he would go in the woman's with me and he said he really didn't want to.
So, I walked him to the front of the store and stood outside the men's bathroom. I waited. I waited some more. I waited even more. Wait. Wait. Wait. No sign of him coming out.
I started to panic: what if some creep-o was in there before he went in and now is molesting my child? What if he is hurt and can't cry out for help? (ok, ok, I am a freak and totally dramatic, but it could happen!)
I popped my head just inside the door and hollered his name. No response. Now, my heart is racing! I say his name a second time. He answers back "What mom?" I asked him if he was ok and he said yes. But then there is a little voice:
"mom, there isn't any toilet paper in here."
Fortunately, just at that moment a gentleman tapped my shoulder wanting to use the restroom (and obviously having overheard our conversation) said he would get my son some toilet paper.
Spirit came out just a minute or two later, all in one piece. Telling me he didn't know how long to sit there or if he should just not wipe and come get me! I am so glad it all worked out! Boy I am relieved!
8 comments:
We have this problem, too. My son is 7 as well (he'll be 8 in a month) and he's starting to complain about having to go to "the girls" room.
So - I'm going to start using this tip I read years ago. If you have to send him in by himself have him count or say ABCs while he's in there so you can hear him or have him sing his favorite song. That way as long as you're hearing whatever you all have decided on you'll know he's okay.
And don't worry about feeling like a freak - I work in the legal field and we have every right to be freaked out by sending our little boys into bathrooms by themselves. But just know that Mr. Molester isn't really around every corner.
that's cute... what are the odds... Thank Goodness for a kind man to help instead of a weirdo.
What a cute story - such a hygenic little boy!
I like the previous commentors tip about having them sing a song. I'll have to pass that along to my husband for when he's out with our girls.
Thankfull some places now have family restrooms.
Thank goodness for places with family restrooms. A is STILL a little freaked about going by herself and she's 11!!! So because she feels that way, she freaks me out! LOL
OMgosh. The "can you hold it" sounds like me. My daughter will whine, you said 10 minutes 10 minutes ago!!
Lucky for me, my first two are girls. My son is just now ditching the diapers, so he is still small enough to take in the ladies' room with me! Not looking forward to these days!
This post had me laughing outloud! Poor kid!
What a funny story - I can only imagine the dilema he was facing in there. "What to do? What to do?"
Funny...and cute! I am so not looking forward to this little issue. Year though, I have a few years!
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