Poo Poo Exploding

[Aletheia]

So we have two boys, ages 5 and 3, and have had about 6 solid months now of potty talk.  Is it a problem?  Well, only sort of.  And it's because it's not clearly a problem that it's become a bigger problem.  Let me explain.

I don't really care if they talk about poop.  Or at least I didn't 6 months ago.  But grandma and grandpa do.  The folks at the restaurants do.  The people at the shopping center do.  And the teachers at preschool do.  So I think the status as a "sort of" problem (it's ok in some places, and at some times, but not in others) has led to it being a big problem.  Because now they are constantly trying to test when and where it is ok.

And I'm running out of patience.

SO there are two problems now.  1) They are talking about inappropriate topics outside of our immediate family, and 2) They are starting to bug me when they talk about potty stuff even within our immediate family.

I could go on, but I mainly want to hear what other families have done when potty talk becomes an issue.  It's important to me that they know that pooping and peeing are natural and fine in that regard, but it's also important to me that I use this as yet ANOTHER opportunity to help them learn that we have a social obligation to consider the feelings of those around us.

Help!

[meemee]

perhaps our definition of potty talk becoming an issue differs. in public when dd was about ur sons age would do that with her friends. in fact she won the poetry contest at a coffee shop bday party of an adult friend with twinkle twinkle little poop written in potty talk.

they laugh and giggle but as long as they weren't loud it was ok. dd's friend's gma did not like potty talk so she drew a strict line. neither did his dad so in front of his mom the kids were goofy but in front of his dad they goofed v. little. 

honestly i think adults around - even at restaurants - grin at potty talk as long as its not too graphic. 

but we drew a v. strict line. however that line was easier to draw at 5 than at 3. so that is going to be hard. but u can ask ur 5 year old to help with the 3 year old. it is going to be hard for your 3 year old. 

however be very clear what you expect. coz dd and her friend developed code words or signs in public and they'd giggle their heads off. and let me tell you by the type of giggle i would clearly understand what kind of joke they were sharing. which is why in public it was not so much about potty talk, but more about trying to be quiet and respectful (again hard to do at 3, easier at 5).

however testing is also good. that's how they figure out social boundaries. 

and honestly while gparents are strict, others around us have grinned and had compassion for a red faced mom. 

btw dd at 9 is still at it. in full force in private and with gestures or code in public. 

[Polliwog]

Adults grinning has definitely not been my experience. My rule (and that of my DD's preschool) is that you are welcome to use bathroom talk in the bathroom or when you are alone in your room. I, and other people, don't need to hear it.