Would this even hit your radar? - Page 3

[mamatoablessing]

Originally Posted by PuppyFluffer

I'm not trying to single this particular poster out, being the last post, it was easy to quote it. I don't understand why a small child's wishes to be comfortable on a toilet is considered weird. How would you feel if your feet didn't touch the floor and your butt was small enough to fall in the hole if you leaned back too far. A little kid can't get stability by having feet on the floor and the hole is big enough to fall in.

I suggest that everyone that thinks it's weird lift up the toilet seat and sit on the toilet (to simulate as best as possible sitting on something too big for your bottom), then picking up your feet so you have to balance there and then tell me how weird it is that a child would want to be comfortable and stable on a toilet.

I'll say it again, our culture has little regard for the comforts or desires of children. It saddens me.

Thank you for saying this. What's the big freaking deal? Why can't the child choose the way they'd like to use the bathroom?

[MJB]

I think we quit using the baby potty around my kids' second bdays. I can't even imagine my 4 yr. old fitting on one, or wanting to use one. We used a potty ring until 2.5-3 until they were big enough and coordinated enough to sit easily on a regular toilet (and pee standing up). I remember both were gross to clean and I definitely wouldn't do it with a 4+ yr. old child.
I think it is very unusual that 5 and 7 yr. olds would have no problem using something so totally babyish.

I have no problem with the wipes, we use family cloth here.

[JL83]

I don't understand this comfort thing. My DD is 3, but she's <3rd percentile for height and ~3rd for weight. Most 2yos we meet are the same size or bigger. She's been using the normal toilets in our house without any kind of props beyond a stool (which she puts away beside the toilet after she uses, so no adult interaction needed) for the better part of a year. When we go to other people's houses she doesn't even need a stool anymore. She's figured out how to lean against the wall/cupboard that's most often next to the toilet to shimmy up and get onto it. She seems to like to sit sideways on the toilet with her bum hanging off the side. She doesn't seem to be uncomfortable in any way.

I know my parents never had any kinds of potty things and I can't remember being uncomfortable.

The more I think about the wipes thing, the more torn I am. Personally, I would never buy them because I think they are very wasteful and yet another marketing gimmick. I could see buying 1 pack of them as an incentive for something, but to use them all the time is really strange to me. But, I think that if that's what your kids are used to, then your dad should have gotten them and kept his opinions to himself.

But it does seem like you're babying your kids. Maybe the move is a great time for their props to end up in a box that's hard to find and then you can see if they ask for them or not.

[LisainCalifornia]

Since you asked--yes, those things would "hit my radar". Whatever the heck that means! Especially the 5 year old using a potty seat. Even if she typically cleans it up herself (and if she is 5 and still using a seat, I'll bet that self-clean-up is pretty darn messy, if you catch my drift) the fact that she doesn't do it all the time and someone else has to do it for her is just sort of gross. When my kids were in their 2's and training, cleaning the seat (by dumping the contents) was one of the icky parts of parenting that I was glad to leave behind. I can't even fathom doing it for 5 years old!

As far as the ring, my kids used those at 2-3 years old, but quickly out grew them. I can't picture my kids at 7 using that at all. It wouldn't really bug me, but I wouldn't want to have it hanging out on the toilet all the time. I don't think those rings are made for kids that old--they are more of an alternative to a potty seat.

I'll bet it was the combo of all those odd things together (mixed with the wipes) that set your dad off. It is all a little out of the ordinary.

[ameliabedelia]

[

QUOTEI'm not trying to single this particular poster out, being the last post, it was easy to quote it. I don't understand why a small child's wishes to be comfortable on a toilet is considered weird. How would you feel if your feet didn't touch the floor and your butt was small enough to fall in the hole if you leaned back too far. A little kid can't get stability by having feet on the floor and the hole is big enough to fall in.]

[/QUOTE]

You missed my point. My point was that MY 5-yo who is SMALL for her age, could NOT comfortably sit on a potty chair. For her to sit down on it, would be UNCOMFORTABLE for her.


And, if someone asked me to go out and "pick something up" that I don't normally buy (even if it was 10 cent stick of gum) it would be an inconvenience. I only set foot in a store every 3-4 weeks (including grocery shopping). So, yes, I would be put out if someone asked me to pick something up. It's not the money. It would be the inconvenience of going to a store to buy something that isn't necessary. Even more so if it's something I don't normally buy. Even more so if it's something related to toileting, as that's something that I would get the impression the kids needs/wanted RIGHT AWAY. I would be thinking "where do I even buy those? Does X store carry them? What section are they in?" And, I could easily see myself saying "sure, no problem" right away (without really thinking about it)..then afterwards groaning over the inconvenience of it all.

[SunshineJ]

Originally Posted by ameliabedelia

And, if someone asked me to go out and "pick something up" that I don't normally buy (even if it was 10 cent stick of gum) it would be an inconvenience. I only set foot in a store every 3-4 weeks (including grocery shopping). So, yes, I would be put out if someone asked me to pick something up. It's not the money. It would be the inconvenience of going to a store to buy something that isn't necessary. Even more so if it's something I don't normally buy. Even more so if it's something related to toileting, as that's something that I would get the impression the kids needs/wanted RIGHT AWAY. I would be thinking "where do I even buy those? Does X store carry them? What section are they in?" And, I could easily see myself saying "sure, no problem" right away (without really thinking about it)..then afterwards groaning over the inconvenience of it all.

But seriously, would you actually go off on your 5 and 7 year old grandkids about it? And then turn it into a HUGE issue with your child later? He didn't want to get them. That's ok. He was under no obligation to do so, I totally respect that. However a simple "this won't work for us" or "I'd rather not" shouldn't be that hard I'd think.

Honestly I don't even know how he knew about the ring and potty seat. 2 weeks before we moved my stepsister decided that after 8 yrs she should meet my dh and kids so they invaded for a visit, maybe they saw them in the bathroom? Whatever, it was never mentioned at their house so I don't really see how that part affects them. FWIW I don't clean out her potty chair. She does it (and actually does pretty well at it!). The rare occasion she forgets, I call her back to do it, so it's not really any more work for me than her using the toilet, other than to wipe it down once a week with everything else.

[eclipse]

Originally Posted by ameliabedelia

You missed my point. My point was that MY 5-yo who is SMALL for her age, could NOT comfortably sit on a potty chair. For her to sit down on it, would be UNCOMFORTABLE for her.

I dunno, my 4 yo can comfortably sit on the Baby Bjorn Little Potty - and that's tiny. People use it for EC with infants. I can see how a regular sized potty chair could be totally comfortable for a 5 yo, depending on a lot of factors.

[zeldamomma]

Originally Posted by SunshineJ

But seriously, would you actually go off on your 5 and 7 year old grandkids about it? And then turn it into a HUGE issue with your child later? He didn't want to get them. That's ok. He was under no obligation to do so, I totally respect that. However a simple "this won't work for us" or "I'd rather not" shouldn't be that hard I'd think.

It sounds like this is a problem with your dad, and not really about potty stuff at all. Anyone who is "going off" at 5 and 7 year olds over this stuff has issues. I wouldn't tie myself in knots about his opinion about anything.

I'm sorry your kids had to deal with that at such a stressful time.



ZM

[SunShineSally]

At home and at great grandma's Ds (5yrs.) uses that cushy potty ring when doing a number two but at his other grandparents he just uses the big toilet I remember how uncomfortable it was when I was little to try and balance on a big toilet.

I do not know what the big deal with wet wipes would be I personally really like them! even if I never used them and I had my nephews at my house and one of them perfered to use them I would go get them for them!

[prothyraia]

Originally Posted by eclipse

I dunno, my 4 yo can comfortably sit on the Baby Bjorn Little Potty - and that's tiny. People use it for EC with infants. I can see how a regular sized potty chair could be totally comfortable for a 5 yo, depending on a lot of factors.

I can see how the actual chair-type potties wouldn't work for an older child, but the ones that are structured so that the kids is more squatting over them than sitting on them would probably work for older kids as well. And I can see how squatting with your feet on the floor would be a million times more comfortable than balancing on a too-large toilet.

I still wouldn't be willing to clean it for an older child, but I don't find it strange that they'd want to use it.

[Wild Lupine]

Originally Posted by PuppyFluffer

I've not read any of the replies beyond the OP.

I don't think you have any issues here that need to be addressed. We live in a culture that has little respect or regard for children and their perceptions or desires, let alone their genuine needs. I am sure your children will move beyond smaller potty seats/chairs and cushions when they are don't want them anymore. I think that accomodating their desire in this area is appropriate and sensitive to their smaller stature.

I agree with this completely, very well put.

I also wonder if showing such respect for their wishes (wishes that inconvenience or affect no one but themselves) you might be helping them withstand peer pressure later in life. (I don't have time to explain why I think this, but I might have time to come back later and do so.)

[ananas]

For me, I wouldn't want to clean a 5 year old's mess out of a potty chair. However, if YOU are willing to and don't mind, then no, it's not a problem, as long as she is able to go on the toilet for other people.

[Anastasiya]

Originally Posted by JL83

The more I think about the wipes thing, the more torn I am. Personally, I would never buy them because I think they are very wasteful and yet another marketing gimmick. I could see buying 1 pack of them as an incentive for something, but to use them all the time is really strange to me.

Wipes are all we use, actually. We buy one 12-pack of toilet paper about every 6 months. We don't buy flushable wipes, we buy a big ol' tub of wipes ($1.50 a tub of 200), and wipe, fold and toss into the trash. Never an odor - ever. What might have taken LOTS of sheets of TP just takes two wipes now, we are cleaner, fresher, and it's more hygienic at that time of the month and easier on my occasional hemorrhoids, etc.....

I personally hate using only TP when I have to (others' homes, store restrooms). How can dry paper really clean you? It can't. Blech!

[JL83]

Originally Posted by Anastasiya

Wipes are all we use, actually. We buy one 12-pack of toilet paper about every 6 months. We don't buy flushable wipes, we buy a big ol' tub of wipes ($1.50 a tub of 200), and wipe, fold and toss into the trash. Never an odor - ever. What might have taken LOTS of sheets of TP just takes two wipes now, we are cleaner, fresher, and it's more hygienic at that time of the month and easier on my occasional hemorrhoids, etc.....

I personally hate using only TP when I have to (others' homes, store restrooms). How can dry paper really clean you? It can't. Blech!

Is it possible you have an intestinal issue?

I can't really think of the last time I didn't have a stomach bug that TP didn't get me clean in a couple of wipes. I think I use ~4 squares of 2ply, I fold that in half, then I wipe/fold/wipe/fold. It's rare that I take a second helping on TP.

[Anastasiya]

Originally Posted by JL83

Is it possible you have an intestinal issue?

I can't really think of the last time I didn't have a stomach bug that TP didn't get me clean in a couple of wipes. I think I use ~4 squares of 2ply, I fold that in half, then I wipe/fold/wipe/fold. It's rare that I take a second helping on TP.

No intestinal issues. You must just be able to pinch things off nice and neatly.

[ebethmom]

No, I don't think you are ruining your children!

Kids get used to doing things in a particular way at home. They all do. Flexibility is a good thing, too. It sounds like your kids handled the transition to your parents' home well. Can't say the same for their grandparents!

My dd is 5 1/2, and still prefers that I wipe her bum. Not my favorite thing to do. I've been working with her so she will know that she CAN do that on her own.

My MIL has the cushioned seat covers on her toilets. They are great until the vinyl rips. Ouch, those suckers pinch!!