23 January 2016.
Just slightly over an hour ago, we celebrated yet another milestone for our daughter. In case you were wondering, yes it is still possible to achieve milestones well into toddler age (if you, like us, celebrate every small achievement), for example today.
Today marks the day Summer… Used a public toilet for the first time today! And to mark this achievement, she decided to triumphantly take a dump while at it.
Yes, she defecated in a public toilet. At Square Two, Level 4, Cubicle 2. Ok I was just kidding about Cubicle 2 since I wasn’t the one who brought her in.
I can only imagine her triumphant face looking like that
Whilst this is a major achievement for all parents working towards moving their kids entirely off diapers, I have to admit that it could have occurred earlier than today, if we weren’t so lazy/paranoid.
The fact is, Summer had actually requested several times before to not wear diapers anymore. But due to the following reasons, we rejected her requests and were resistant to wean her off. Diaper weaning, if there is ever this term.
1. Bad experience from waking up half soaked in pee. Us, and summer (sans-diaper). The first and only time we tried night weaning.
2. Bad experience from being told last minute about her need to pee/poo. When we hear ‘Papa Mama I need to shee-shee! (apologies for baby talk here)’, it is usually just a 1 minute or so warning before she loses control. In most times, 1 minute is never enough to find and walk to a public toilet.
3. Bad experience on the hygiene level of public toilets. I guess this doesn’t need much explanation. We all have this experience.
Hence the apprehension.
Whatever got into us to let her try today, I can’t say for sure, but I’m glad we tried it, and rather successfully at that.
Sometimes, it’s just about leaving the excuses behind.