Thursday, July 31, 2008

Tips & Tricks: Restroom Safety

Today's tip is one I learned when I saw someone do this the very first time Rebecca and I went to Disney and I've used it ever since!

Tip: Wait for my foot sweetie!

Every mother, grandma, auntie etc. eventually faces it. That graduation day when your child is old enough to go into a restroom stall on their own. It's a big day but let's face it, it's also a scary day!

I've often noticed children outside a bathroom stall standing where Mommy could see there feet while she does what she needs to inside the stall. Unfortunately what often happens is that those kids are kids and they begin to dance, wiggle and wander and suddenly a somewhat panicked voice calls from in the stall, 'Where are you? Come back here!! I need to see your feet!'

The tip that I learned is WONDERFUL and has given me many years of peace of mind. When we go into a restroom together Rebecca chooses her stall first and I make note of where she is. From there, she knows the drill. I go into my own stall and take care of business, all the time knowing that she's safely locked behind the door of her own stall. What happens if she finishes first? She waits.

What is she waiting for? She's waiting to see my foot come under the door of her stall and for me to happily call out, 'Come on out sweetie!'

Can I tell you how much peace of mind this gives me...and I think her too! As she's 9 now I told her a couple of months ago that she was welcome to go wash her hands when she was finished and wait for me at the sink but you know what? More often than not I check when I leave my stall and she's still in hers waiting behind the door and asking if she can come out? I walk over, put my foot under the door and say, 'Come on out sweetie!' and she opens the door with a bright smile on her face and we go over to wash our hands together.

I cannot begin to tell you how many people have seen our little trick and said, 'Wow! I'm going to use that!'

I think this is one of the very best tips that I will share with you! Peaceful peeing everyone! :o)

16 comments:

  1. I'm loving all these tips . . . that is one I hadn't heard of yet. Great idea.

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  2. How come I have NEVER heard of that???? I usually just squish us all in, or wait in front until they have all gone, then take them out to hubby, then go back. I am SUPER paranoid about it. THanks for the tip!!!!!!

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  3. The bathroom is such a drama! Thankfully, we have "parent stalls" now - that have a big toilet and small toilet so you can pee together!!! You can even fit a shopping trolley in there!!! Love those stalls!

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  4. We do the same thing - it has given me a lot of peace of mind as well :-)

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  5. Brilliant Catherine. Really. I am making a mental note of that for the dreaded years when I have to let Lia go into a stall on her own (:-)). Brilliant!!

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  6. What a great idea!! I'm going to have to remember it!

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  7. I have not heard of that tip but I love it! Worry free wee!

    Keep smilin!

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  8. Hi!!
    I have been reading down at all your tips and love them, I love the restroon tip.
    I also love the fact that you can put things into time out..I had never even thought of doing that..great advice!

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  9. Thanks for the tips! I will store them for when they are needed.

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  10. Another great tip!

    This has always scared me..and I would have probably just had her come in the same stall...

    I might need to start a book to write down all of your tips so I don't forget!

    Have a great weekend!

    Lisa

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  11. Great tip! I'll be keeping this one on file.

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  13. Just checking in to say "hi" and let you know that I was thinking about you today. Don't know why I was thinking about you but feel like I need to remind you to hang in there while you wait for Hannah. You are sooooo close. Once you get that referral, time flies and all of this waiting will be a quick and distant memory. When people told me that I thought they were loopy! :)

    Have a wonderful weekend and by the way, I love the bathroom tip! Isn't if funny how you just hear things like that and think... wow! What a great idea, how come I never thought of that? lol

    Lisa :)

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  14. Brilliant! You definitely said it -- peaceful peeing everyone!

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  15. wow, your tips are awesome even for a grandma. Think of you so often my friend. It is 114 degrees in Phoenix today. Sending you warm fuzzies.
    love,
    wela

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