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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask the etiquette for potty in public place?

135 replies

WhenZogateSuperworm · 30/05/2019 21:15

I’ve read some posts on here really against using a potty in a public place so need some advice. DS is 2 and we have just started potty training. I need to go to the supermarket tomorrow. When he needs to go he needs to go right now.

I have a travel potty and usually would be one saying whipping it out in the supermarket is gross- but it’s going to be that or a puddle on the shop floor which is surely worse?

So... potty in public- when/where is an absolute no no and where is it ok to try and use discreetly?

OP posts:
SEsofty · 30/05/2019 21:28

If he cannot hold on for an hour then sorry but you cannot leave the house, unless you put him in a nappy.

It’s not fair on him, on you and certainly on anyone else.

If he can hold on for an hour then take him to the supermarket toilet as soon as you arrive and then before you leave.

Or if you just need toilet paper ask someone else to get it or pop to a small local shop

Potties are toilets and as such should only ever be used in a toilet- no where else. It’s far far far too confusing for the child

Gth1234 · 30/05/2019 21:28

go to a supermarket with a toilet.

using a potty in public is horrible. Maybe were a day nappy, whatever they call them.

coffeeaddiction · 30/05/2019 21:28

Not at the potty training stage yet so no expert but could you use your travel potty next to your car just before you go into the shop ? Make sure he goes then you should be safe ?

HintOfRaspberry · 30/05/2019 21:28

I think it's disgusting when parents do this. Stick some pull ups on him for the duration or go to a small local shop for your toilet roll, a full on trip to the supermarket for that is hardly necessary.

Londongirl888 · 30/05/2019 21:29

Toilets are for getting rid of body waste. Educate your child into using toilets better for him in the long term.

Original poster
WhenZogateSuperworm · 30/05/2019 21:31

@HigaDequasLuoff I’m not at all convinced he is really ready- but he has been asking for a while now and saying he doesn’t want to wear nappies anymore as they are for babies. I thought I owed it to him to at least try and we have had some successes but I’m not sure he really has the physical ability to hold it yet. I’m going to give it another day or 2 and then decide whether it’s working or not.

He is 3 in September but is very big so looks about 4 already.

OP posts:
Barbie222 · 30/05/2019 21:34

I think maybe wait until a pull-up is dry for a couple of hours before you start going out of the house for trips, or just go out with a pull up on but go to loo and treat like pants etc. Potty in supermarket is a big nooooooo.

Original poster
WhenZogateSuperworm · 30/05/2019 21:34

@HintOfRaspberry we live rurally- there are no small local shops. Supermarket in the next town is the only option other than the retail park but there are no toilets there at all.

I will stick a nappy on him for the trip I think. I didn’t want to confuse him by going back to nappies but I think it’s going to be easier than him having an accident and getting upset.

OP posts:
YouJustDoYou · 30/05/2019 21:36

I did loo before we left the house, sat them on the loo again at supermarket before shopping, went as fast as possible round supermarket. Wee again in car before leaving. I would also bring spare clothes, towels, and wipes, in case I had to clean up the supermarket.

stucknoue · 30/05/2019 21:38

No certainly not in the supermarket or shops etc - the toilets of course are fine. I know it's hard but if he can't wait 5 mins to get to the toilet he's not ready yet

CheshireChat · 30/05/2019 21:40

But why a nappy and not pull ups? He can still go to toilet with them.

CherryPavlova · 30/05/2019 21:40

You go to the lavatory before you start shopping.

purplepingu · 30/05/2019 21:40

Put a pair of pants on under the pull-up, that way if he has an accident he'll still get the sensation of being wet. I was advised to do this and found it worked really well for when we were out. I think we only ever had one accident people my DS could remember not liking the feel of wet pants.

Obviously still do the toilet trips and making him go as soon as he arrives, half way through, before he leaves etc. And make sure to take a spare change of clothes/pants just in case!

InvisibleToEveryone · 30/05/2019 21:41

Please don't be the parent I "met" in IKEA.

Potty out in the middle of the market place bit, stripped the child of his lower clothing, used the potty, then said child ran around half starkers for the next 15 minutes!!

kaytee87 · 30/05/2019 21:42

If he's been before leaving the house then can't hold it until he gets to the toilet in the supermarket then he's probably not ready to toilet train.
Put a pull up on him.

stucknoue · 30/05/2019 21:42

Buy reusable ups maybe, they feel wet so are better for training) or stick to normal disposable pull-ups not nappies

Gth1234 · 30/05/2019 21:42

In fact, if you are going to a shipping centre/supermarket, who on earth would take a potty with them?

Ontheboardwalk · 30/05/2019 21:43

Not in an aisle on the train

Listlover · 30/05/2019 21:44

“Just started” means he’s not ready to leave the house yet.
Imo it’s never acceptable to use a potty in a public place. It’s disgusting.
That’s why potty training is such a chore

AllFourOfThem · 30/05/2019 21:45

Online shopping or put him in a nappy whilst you are in the supermarket.

category12 · 30/05/2019 21:45

Of course you can't use a potty in the middle of a supermarket. Good grief.

MrsArnott · 30/05/2019 21:46

Jesus, only read a few replies but I saw someone whip out a potty in a shopping centre the other day and didn't even bat an eyelid...when kids have got to go they've got to go! Like you said, better than on the floor!

Popskipiekin · 30/05/2019 21:46

You only need loo roll. You can have him wee on the potty by your car (in the car??) before you go, run in to grab loo roll, run out again, wee again by/in the car.

Lady once whipped out potty in vestibule of a train (right by an unused toilet!!!). Daughter sat and weed obediently, then mother carried potty full of wee to toilet and tipped it out. Couldn’t believe my eyes.

Original poster
WhenZogateSuperworm · 30/05/2019 21:46

@CheshireChat But why a nappy and not pull ups? He can still go to toilet with them.

Because I don’t have any pull ups and to buy some would mean going to the supermarket! His nappies were Pampers Nappy Pants so they are still pull up types, but they are what he knows as nappies.

Good idea to put one over his pants so he still gets to wear them.

We have some Bambino Mio training pants but I wasn’t sure how much they held and whether an accident would still leak to the floor.

OP posts:
TeenTimesTwo · 30/05/2019 21:48

No garages that sell essentials?

In a park, yes, beside a bush or in some trees.
Not in supermarkets, trains, the high street etc.

If you do give up, then next time be stocked up for at least a week with no appointments either. Not really fair to be using pull ups as it sends out mixed messages.