AIBU?
Potty Training on the go - WIBU?
Needavacation · 17/05/2013 20:04
I am pretty sure I was being unreasonable in this situation but I had little choice and just cannot think of how I could have handled it differently. So AIBU and advice also please!
DS is 2 and a half. Has been potty trained for a month but we still have accidents every couple of days, and its usually because I have a 3 second window in which to get him on the potty/to a toilet but mostly he goes at set times so we are ok. Anyway, we were eating in a supermarket cafe today (essential shopping journey and lunch whilst there). I took him to the loo before we sat down and he wouldn't go. He ate his lunch and then he says Quick Mum! WEE!
So I (and here I become unreasonable) thinking Crap! I will NEVER make it to the toilet in time and we will leave a trail all the way through the cafe and the store, put him under the table on the potty (which I was carrying in the buggy in case he decides the loo is too disgusting). I put our coats round so no one could see. I was honestly thinking that it being in the potty is better that it being on the floor, which it definitely would have been. Anyway I was severely told off by the cafe manager whilst DS was mid-wee, which is understandable but I still really think it was better in the potty than all over the floor. I know its a cafe and a kid on a potty is nasty but what could I have done? I sat nearest the loo's but they were just never going to be a 3 second dash away, I tried to pre-empt it, it wasn't at a usual wee time , I've taken him out almost every day since the first few days and we have only had 3 or 4 accidents and they were all in the car seat. I feel SO embarrassed but I cant see what else there was to do? I just took the telling off because she was right, it was disgusting.
ENSMUM · 17/05/2013 20:09
That stage of potty training is really tricky. Life can't completely go on hold until DC 100% accident free. I agree using potty there was probably the best thing to do in your situation. However, people will think its disgusting and unless they are or have recently potty trained a child probably won't understand
eastmidlandsnightnanny · 17/05/2013 20:14
my little one is 2yrs 8mths n been potty trained for 1mth first wk lots accidents second wk needed toilet timing with one accident day 3rd wk taking own self off to potty n when out says need a wee n 5wks on certainly holds for long time dry at night n doesn't wee til been up 20mins.
think u chose to do what's right at the time but maybe he isn't quite ready n either needs putting on potty every hr n only have short trips out.
rainbowbrite1980 · 17/05/2013 20:15
Sounds like you already know that getting out the potty in a cafe isn't on. It does sound like your child may not be ready for potty training - if he can't hold it in to get to a toilet, and has an accident every other day. 2 1/2 is still young for it, especially for boys. However, I can see the dilemma that he's used to wearing big boys pants and putting him back in nappies might not be what you want to do.
I definiteloy don't think you should ahve to stay in whilst potty training. Going out and about fine. I'd just take lots of changes of clothes. Have you seen the training pants that hold just a little bit of wee, so it doesn't end up all over the floor but they still feel wet?
My son was over 3 when he toilet trained. My daughter less than 2. They were just ready at such different ages. But I tried earlier with my son, as I felt he was getting too old - then with my daughter I decided to be much more relaxed about it, and if I needed to put a nappy on her to go out then I would (I was worried with my first that it would confuse him) - in the end I never had to. But I'll definitely go with the relaxed approach when my third is old enough for toilet training.
rainbowbrite1980 · 17/05/2013 20:17
"That's bull shit, no one needs pull ups, just take them to the loo before you do something!"
Have to completely disagree. This isn;t recommended - it teaches children to "go just in case", which actually reduces bladder capacity and the warning they get.
Needavacation · 17/05/2013 20:22
This is my first accident in a 'proper' place so I think I just got flustered. I have taken him out for meals and playgroups as usual and its been fine because he has gone when I first get there and take him in with me to the loo. All other outdoor accidents are in his car seat and at home its because I am slow or hes in to playing or what not. This time he just wouldnt go when we first got there. I suppose I should have realised then that lunch was no go!
FarBetterNow · 17/05/2013 20:29
idiunt: that is funny!
It's a bit of child's wee, in a potty, not in any one's dinner or on the table. It not a dog turd ffs.
Good for you for actually doing potty training at a reasonable age.
I think that disposable nappies are a very mixed blessing as they are so comfortable.
I cannot imagine many three and four year olds wanting to still be wearing wet, cold cloth nappies dangling round their knees.
Don't forget delaying potty training increases profits for nappy manufacturers.
howah · 17/05/2013 20:31
I think he does sound potty trained enough to go out. As you say, he only has accidents usually in the car and you can not stay indoors forever. I think in future if he does not go when you first arrive then you should assume that you just can not hang around for long.
Delatron · 17/05/2013 20:32
I'm potty training at the moment and it is a nightmare so you have my sympathies!
I think the problem here is the 'getting the potty out in a food establishment', it draws attention to the whole thing and will put people off their food. It would probably have been better to just let him wet his trousers! When my DS has an accident quite often his trousers are wet but that seems to absorb most of the wee. Anyway, it was a stressful situation and i understand why you were flustered!f Agree with others who say he may not be ready yet?
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