At the park after school yesterday, we were discussing children needing to go to the toilet (as you do) ‘au naturel’ when there are no toilets nearby and I was reminded of an incident that happened a few years ago that I think I had etched out of my memory with the shame of it all. Please don’t judge me, but this is the story of the pootastrophe.
R went to a different primary school to the one that the boys are in now and there was a really lovely little play area with things to climb on. At the time, L was three and he loved this play area. Toilet training had been a challenge with L and I was starting to panic in the Spring of that year as he wasn’t potty trained and as an August baby, he would be going to school a few days after his fourth birthday. I honestly had visions of him arriving for his first day at school with a changing bag.
We persevered and slowly made progress although the number twos could be a little problematic. One afternoon, we had meandered to pick R up from school and as usual L headed straight for the little play area and I was chatting to some of the other mums. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of L crouching down in the corner of the play area. Thinking that he was having a wee, I walked over to tell him that that was not the best place to do it when I realised with horror that he had done a huge poo.
To be fair to him, he had crouched right at the edge by the hedge but I panicked. I had nothing with me not even a tissue. He pulled up his pants and carried on playing. In that split second, I buried his poo under lots of bark chippings and patted them down with my feet before returning to the other mums sightly flustered but luckily they were none the wiser.
On the way home, I pointed out to L that this was not a good idea and that he needed to tell me when he needed to go and reflecting back I could have gone into the school office and got some tissues or a bag, but at the time I was so mortified that I did the first thing that came to mind. I spent weeks worrying that some poor child would uncover our crime or that I would be summoned to see the Head teacher for crimes against the play are. Luckily, it remained untouched (I did keep checking) and I kept a very watchful eye over L for the following few weeks to ensure that he didn’t so a repeat performance.
Thankfully, when it was time to potty train A she was a dream and I am so glad as that was not an experience that I want to repeat. Ever.
Well I’m not sure what to say, that is both so very very funny and disgusting at the same time… love it!
Boo Roo and Tigger Too recently posted…Breaking Groundhog Day #MorningStories
I agree, I’m glad that it hasn’t disgusted too many people
They spring all kinds of surprises on us, don’t they?! I think we can add to our CV ‘thinks on feet quite effectively’ after all the experience we get. I do’t see a problem at all with what you’ve done. You’ve covered it so no one else would step in it and as you say, it was at the edge of the area (isn’t that funny he most considerately thought to do it at the edge!).
Michelle recently posted…Something to consider before becoming a long-term expat
Thank you for the reassurance and yes at least he did give the whole process a little thought and dignity
A small friend of ours may have done a similar thing, but in a soft play area. There are no bark chips in a soft play area…
Jenny from Cheetahs In My Shoes recently posted…Best Intentions
OH NO!!! that really is a nightmare … can you imagine .. actually I don’t want to
I love this post! I remember when my neighbours little boy did the exact same thing in the bushes by our houses. His mom went mad as he could have simply come into the house :-)Everyone has a “poo story”
Donna @ Little Lilypad Co recently posted…The best things to do with your children in Edinburgh
I think boys will be boys in these situations and it is probably a good thing really
How funny!
becky recently posted…The Happiest 5km on the Planet…..The Color Run
It is a good job blogging wasn’t around when my teenagers were little or they would have been the subject of many a pootastrophe post!!!
Yes I am sure your kids are relieved about that!
Oh dear, we all have a secret tale of poo-woe in our closets don’t we?!
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Do we? I’ve told you mine ….
This is hilarious. I am really not looking forward to potty-training my 2-year old.
Californian Mum in London recently posted…Who IS Godzilla?
Oh it will be fine!! My other kids were great, L always likes to be different.
Oh I feel your pain. I bet you worried about it for ages. They are stinkers aren’t they. So funny though xx #funee
Complicated Gorgeousness recently posted…What are little girls made of?
I did really worry about it. Kids eh?
OMG… This is so funny, and to be honest, I would have done exactly what you did; a quick panic reaction and covered it up. At the very least L made his mark! :o)
older mum in a muddle recently posted…#One Week – Spring ’14 – The Sweetest Goodbye
That is a relief, as I was writing this I felt a new wave of shame!! L always makes his mark whatever he’s doing
So funny! I remember when my son done the same but he teased the eldest every time we went to a park after the incident with threatening to do a poo in the park lol x
Angela recently posted…Precious time with the children
Sometimes you have just got to go I suppose but how embarrassing!!
hahaha I don’t mean to laugh, but hey that’s what we are here for right? hahahah That is amazing. I only say that because this WOULD so happen to me with Buba. He is always running off and just doing his business and not telling me as we are right in the thick of the potty training. Good cover up for sure though. I would have freaked out. I love that you stay calm. lol Great #wotsofunee post!
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Oh no this is soooo funny but I’m now having visions of z doing the same. He is going through a phase of just wetting his pants because he can’t be bothered going or telling anyone so I put him back in his pull ups. Potty training is fun isn’t it? 🙂
LMAO let’s hope none of those mothers are reading now.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Teacher Gifts and Special Educational Needs – KidsCo-op
Ooh dear! That doesn’t sound like much fun! Isn’t it funny how many things you have to do as a parent that would just horrify you previously!
Ruth recently posted…I am Beyonce, but better
Oh my goodness! I can just imagine how mortified you were. I remember seeing a kid (not one of mine, thank goodness) unzip his trousers and get his willy out on top of the climbing frame at the park. Luckily his mum saw him and yelled just before he started weeing on the unsuspecting children below.
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It might be disgusting to talk and deal with poop but this story will remain forever a treasured memory.
It was when I had finally potty trained the twins that I knew I would never have another child in my life and I was so thankful as I had about as much poo as anyone can contend with in a lifetime. Great story.
Mari recently posted…Chit chat: Sunshine, riding bikes and building Wendy houses
Ha ha, we had an almost identical incident with my middle daughter in our local park!!! So embarrassing.
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