When I was young my parents took us (via automobile, no ac complete with pleather interior) to Utah nearly every Summer. We had extended family there on both sides and it just seemed to me that we were returning to our roots--the mother land, like mecca or something. The drive wasn't my favorite, but it was always worth it to see everyone and have so much fun with cousins. On the road, I was always envious of how easy a road side potty stop was for my brothers. For me there was the question of was there a napkin in the glove box? What was I wearing? Was there a bush to hide behind? etc. Never simple.
Mike took Luke camping right around the time we were potty training him. The week after the trip I kept finding Luke peeing on bushes and trees in the yard. When I started freaking out about it, Luke acted as though I was completely out of my mind, what was my problem? Come to find out Daddy had taught him to pee on trees while camping and this was some sort of male bonding ritual that Luke thought was fabulous--sharing his new skill with Dad. Luke is 4 now and I have finally got him clear on the rules of outdoor peeing. 1) Only when there is not a toilet available. 2) Never in a park, school, or public place 3) Not where someone can see what you are doing. But I really can't tell you how many times I have wanted to break those rules. When he really has to go and there's no potty to be found and no one around. Sometimes it's hard to stick to my potty principles.
But then I remember Burger King. It was not long after Aaron and Owen joined our family. I was down south meeting their birth great grandmother for lunch so she could visit them. Luke was 3 and the other two were 15 months and 5 months. We were waiting for great grandma in the playland and Luke had to go. I was loading up the other two and the diaper bag to head back to the restroom. Luke went out the side door of the play land. I could see his head through the window and watched to make sure he wasn't running away. He came right back in as I was still loading up. I said "ok, lets go to the bathroom." He said, "No, I don't need to go anymore." I was glad for the false alarm, it's a pain to take 3 to the bathroom at once. A minute later the manager came back and told me Luke had just peed in the parking lot and upset some of the guests. I'm confident I turned purple. I was so embarrassed! We had a long talk about it and it hasn't happened again . . . or he's just more sneaky about it.
We leave Saturday for California to spend Christmas with my parents. (That's my big Christmas surprise that I have been keeping a secret. I'll post date this post as to not spoil the surprise.) But today I'm wondering . . . How will I tell Luke it's ok to pee on the side of the road if it's an interstate, but not if it's in your front yard or Burger King. And Aaron who is starting to potty train, will he understand all this? What will he think as he sees Luke peeing on the side of the road? Am I shooting myself in the foot here? And is it legal to pee on the side of the interstate? Because I'm pretty sure it's not legal to pee in the Burger King parking lot. What will highway patrol say if they drive by? Could I get a ticket? Should I bring a bottle and try and have him go in that? (Apparently Mike's family has done the bottle thing--yuck!!) Hmmm . . . What label should this post have? urinary dilemmas?
Well, wish me luck. I'm driving 19 hours to Orange County with 3 little boys all by myself. A little crazy, but I'm armed with a DVD player, an arsenal of videos, and a list of 70 McDonald's playlands along the way. Santa's bag is packed and busting with presents ready to be loaded into the sleigh. Hopefully when you read this I will curled up on my moms couch napping while my boys are out back playing with Grandma and Grandpa. ( = I hope my mom is happily surprised and doesn't send me back!! No she'll be so glad to have us.
4 comments:
I have done the drive from Portland to LA with the 3 kids by myself, too, and it went pretty well. Not that I'm begging to do it again anytime soon:)
Did you make it out of the Pac Northwest? We have been hit so hard with snow that I hope your trip was UN-eventful.
This post is hilarious! Oh the joys of motherhood. A couple months ago, Sophie and I were walking to a friends house and a little boy, probably the age of Luke was about to pee outside. I told him he better run in quick. As soon as I started to turn the corner, he turned his back to me and did it right there in the open anyway. I'm glad there never was a question about it for us girls.
I hope you made it safe and sound. I have your Superman keychain finished, and it is soooo cute. I was able to get the "Superman was Adopted" and the shield you sent me on it. So stinkin cute. Merry Christmas!!! Leslie
When Katherine, Owen, and I first road the express bus to Seoul we were surprised to see a Korean man peeing along the highway. He could have put himself by his car to block what he was doing. Instead he walked 10 feet behind the car.
On the second floor at work there is a men's and women's bathroom. There are quite a bit of restaurants on the floor. With the door open to the men's room a person can look straight at the urinals. I had it shut while peeing and some men come in and leave the door completely open. I have had to question if Asians/Koreans really are scared of being naked in public.
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