08/08/2020
Yes, this looks like just a pile of leaves, but (you know me, I'm not ashamed to talk poo 😂) it's what's under the leaves that I want to talk about. 😉
Hearing the words "Mummy, I need a poo" could potentially cause you to instantly panic, because children often announce they need to use the toilet at the most awkward of moments, in the most awkward of places. I'm not necessarily talking about being in the supermarket; at a petrol station or such like. These places often have toilets. I'm talking about when your walking in the countryside, building dens in the forest or biking along a canal tow path. The places where proper toilets are not an option.
As a couple that enjoyed outdoor pursuits and spending time in Nature before children came along, it was important to us that our children gained the same sense of enjoyment and fulfillment from being outside. Therefore, we knew it was going to be essential that they grew-up comfortable going to the toilet anywhere.
Urination and defication are natural healthy functions of the body, a sign your digestive system is doing what it should be doing; working as it's designed to do, eliminating waste. It isn't something to be embarrassed about. How we talk and behave around children regarding our natural functions, will affect their thoughts and behaviour surrounding toileting. Modelling behaviour - whatever the subject - manners/healthy eating/turn - taking etc, as you will have found, is more effective than verbal instruction, so yes, my husband and I have never hesitated to "go" behind a tree if needed, and Cora has always witnessed that. We're rarely ill-prepared for these occassions and carry toilet roll and bags in our backpack. But leaves would suffice if needs be.
"Keeping Dixie" - as my husband says - "keeping lookout" to you and me 😂, means it hasn't happened yet, but our daughter has asked, "What if someone sees me?" To which we have explained that it doesn't matter if they do. Should anyone catch a glimpse, they would totally understand that there is nowhere else to go; that everyone finds themselves needing to go to the toilet at an inconvenient time occasionally, and that they too would do exactly the same in the same situation.
Having a child that will "go" anywhere (only when needed) has been so helpful.
Healthy attitudes from the start help children grow up understanding what's normal; what's heathly, and they're more likely to grow-up body confident and self-assured, experiencing less confusion and anxiety. (We've all heard women explain how they didn't know what or how to deal with menstruation because they're mothers never spoke to them about it, right?! And, how different would womens' perseption of birth be if we learned what a beautiful perfectly designed natural function of the body it was?!) Let's be morr open, frank and honest with our children. I've found it makes parenting that little bit easier and growing - up that little bit simpler and happier.
Tell me your toileting tales. Where's the most inconvenient time/place your child has needed to go? What did you do?!
