Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Complaints when using a potty in public

19 replies

smi1e · 10/03/2008 13:55

DD started potty training this week. We have a portable potty (one of those fold up things with a disposable liner). The other day we were in a gallery with no toilet on that floor and only access to the floor with toilets was via a lift. We'd just missed the lift (so about a 5 minute wait) when DD announced she needed the potty. We found a quiet, discreet corner and she used it there. Spotted by manager on CCTV who told us it was unacceptable behaviour. Presumably he'd rather she peed on the floor! Anyone else had this experience? What should we have done?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Kathyis6incheshigh · 10/03/2008 13:59

Which gallery was it smi1e?

NAB3wishesfor2008 · 10/03/2008 14:00

He is an idiot!

Write a letter to complain.

I really wonder if anyone actually likes children in this country at times!

meemar · 10/03/2008 14:04

Tricky one.

Personally I would have whisked her up the stairs quickly to the next floor.

Maybe you could have taken her to the toilet as soon as you got to the gallery, then not had to worry about finding the toilet in an emergency.

I do agree what you did was preferable to letting her wee on the floor though

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Loshad · 10/03/2008 14:05

But was it really sensible to take her to a gallery in week one of potty training?
I've potty trained 4 boys and have never needed to use a potty anywhere except a loo.

orangehead · 10/03/2008 14:07

Yeh write and complain stating you understand the situation was not ideal and both you and your dd would of preferred to go somewhere private but due to the urgency it seemed a better option than letting her do it on the floor of which you are sure would of been less acceptable

MegaMindy · 10/03/2008 14:07

I've also never taken a potty out with me when potty training. I would take my children to the public toilets, and if there weren't going to be any public toilets, I would use pull-ups.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 10/03/2008 14:08

Is it a gallery that makes a point of being child-friendly or is it quite an adult place?

PotPourri · 10/03/2008 14:08

YANBU. A toddler who needs a wee needs it there and then. Would he have prefered a puddle for his staff to clean up? Ignore him. You did the right thing for your DD - imagine how much it would have set her back to wet herself in public like that.

Don't think there should be a problem taking a child out when potty training if you have made the appropriate arrangements - i.e. pull up pants on, or a portable potty like you did.

Seriously, ignore him. Or alternatively, if you feel really annoyed, write a snotty letter explaining the alternative and why you chose this all together more discreet and labour saving option.

morningpaper · 10/03/2008 14:10

I've never taken a potty anywhere

I'd put them in tights and trousers (v. absorbant) during early days

I think getting potties out in public is a bit nasty personally

hanaflower · 10/03/2008 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

snooks · 10/03/2008 14:13

smi1e don't give yourself a hard time. I agree that the world doesn't have to stop when you are potty-training....I think you did the right thing totally (prob because we did this exact thing when out with ds1 at a Discovery Park thingy - but no-one spotted us in a corner phew ). It was dealt with quickly and cleanly. Yes maybe she could have waited til you'd found the stairs and then the loo... but most probably not, and you'd have ended up with pee on you, her and a trail on the floor as well.

You didn't do anything wrong.

Nemoandthefishes · 10/03/2008 14:14

I have a potty in the car but never taken potty about in pram. agree would have made an attempt to run for the toilet..also never go out during week one...lol If she cant hold bldder for 5-10 mins then maye pull ups over knickers when out?

snooks · 10/03/2008 14:15

mixed opinions then! What a surprise

Original poster

smi1e · 10/03/2008 14:22

Thanks for the feedback. It was definitely a gallery that prides itself on being family friendly (probably shouldn't say which one). And there was no stair access, only a lift. We did take her to the toilets before heading up, but she didn't want to go then.

OP posts:

posieflump · 10/03/2008 14:25

I agree it is a bit grim to get a potty out like that in a public place.
That's why we stayed in for a week of potty training, and then used plastic pants when we wetn out just in case of accidents.

tutu100 · 10/03/2008 18:47

I always carry our portable fold up potty and ds uses it even though he has been toilet trained for 6 months. Where we live there are few public toilets, and the few that are are disgusting and I do not want him anywhere near them.

I have never had a complaint, but we always find a quiet corner and do it discreetly with me sheilding ds from anyone. If anyone were to complain to me I would point out that it's either wee in a potty or on the floor, and my ds does mega wee's so no amount of fabric will soak it all up.

Just as an example in our town centre we only have public toilets at one end so if I am up the top end of town it would be approximately a 10 min walk to get to the nearest public loos.

Desiderata · 10/03/2008 18:53

You must have an enormous handbag!

tutu100 · 10/03/2008 19:10

The fold up potettes are quite small. I do carry a big bag though, for all the other bits that ds seems to need when we are out.

tutu100 · 10/03/2008 19:10

Sorry was that directed at me?

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread