It seems that motherhood is not for the faint of stomach. At least that has been my challenge recently. Somehow, I found myself discussing poop way more than I ever bargained for.
We were playing at a park a beautiful Friday afternoon. It is challenging to take young children to the parks in our town, because they are not usually equipped with restroom facilities. According to our son, Jersey #3, a bush or a tree is all the restroom facility he needs. When it was time to go home, I called out to the children. Jersey #2 informed me that Jersey #3 was behind a bush going potty. Lovely. As I packed up the stroller, I thought about how I was going to explain to him that urinating all over the public park is not a very good idea...
Until I discovered that he was actually going poop. At the park? Yuck! It turned out that he was shocked to discover the laws of gravity do not allow a boy to poop standing up without messing his pants! This upset him greatly, and he came out from behind the bushes, pants around ankles, exposed and crying. I assessed the mess, dug out the diaper wipes, and did my best to clean up the mishap. I was not sure if I should laugh, yell, or cry. What a yucky mess! Seeing that my son was very upset by learning this life lesson the hard way, I assured him that I loved him and I forgave his mistake. I explained to him that it is not appropriate to potty in the bushes at the park, because we are people, not dogs. I explained that it is not easy to poop while standing up, which is why we sit on a toilet. I suggested that next time he notify me that he needs to use the bathroom, and we will go and find a regular restroom facility for humans! I then had to break the news to him that he was going to have to wear his soiled clothes all the way to the van, and all during the drive home. I assured him that as soon as we got home, he could put his clothes in the laundry hamper for me to wash, and then take a bath to get cleaned up. Thankfully, my response was effective, and he calmed down and complied with my instructions. All was well again after a bath and clean clothes were applied. When I shared the story with my husband that evening, he enjoyed a huge laugh at my expense!
And then it was his turn to endure some poop talk.....
Whenever our family visits the zoo, someone always ends up commenting about the smell of some of the animal exhibits. That leads to discussion about which animals poop. The standard answer usually ends up being "everyone poops."
At the elephant exhibit, Jersey #3 loudly asked, "Do elephants poop?" An older couple standing behind us burst out in laughter, clearly not expecting this conversation. I gave the standard answer, "Yes. Everyone poops." The laughing lady behind me said, "Just look in front of you, there is a big pile right there." That was NOT helpful for curbing the conversation, it only fueled more descriptive poop talk. Yuck!
And then, my poopy weekend got worse.....
At the hippopotamus exhibit, we were able to watch the 3 hippos walk around in the water, 2 hippos get up and walk out of the water, and the remaining hippo calling out to them. They captured everyone's attention for such a long time, I was able to snap a picture....
We were playing at a park a beautiful Friday afternoon. It is challenging to take young children to the parks in our town, because they are not usually equipped with restroom facilities. According to our son, Jersey #3, a bush or a tree is all the restroom facility he needs. When it was time to go home, I called out to the children. Jersey #2 informed me that Jersey #3 was behind a bush going potty. Lovely. As I packed up the stroller, I thought about how I was going to explain to him that urinating all over the public park is not a very good idea...
Until I discovered that he was actually going poop. At the park? Yuck! It turned out that he was shocked to discover the laws of gravity do not allow a boy to poop standing up without messing his pants! This upset him greatly, and he came out from behind the bushes, pants around ankles, exposed and crying. I assessed the mess, dug out the diaper wipes, and did my best to clean up the mishap. I was not sure if I should laugh, yell, or cry. What a yucky mess! Seeing that my son was very upset by learning this life lesson the hard way, I assured him that I loved him and I forgave his mistake. I explained to him that it is not appropriate to potty in the bushes at the park, because we are people, not dogs. I explained that it is not easy to poop while standing up, which is why we sit on a toilet. I suggested that next time he notify me that he needs to use the bathroom, and we will go and find a regular restroom facility for humans! I then had to break the news to him that he was going to have to wear his soiled clothes all the way to the van, and all during the drive home. I assured him that as soon as we got home, he could put his clothes in the laundry hamper for me to wash, and then take a bath to get cleaned up. Thankfully, my response was effective, and he calmed down and complied with my instructions. All was well again after a bath and clean clothes were applied. When I shared the story with my husband that evening, he enjoyed a huge laugh at my expense!
And then it was his turn to endure some poop talk.....
Whenever our family visits the zoo, someone always ends up commenting about the smell of some of the animal exhibits. That leads to discussion about which animals poop. The standard answer usually ends up being "everyone poops."
At the elephant exhibit, Jersey #3 loudly asked, "Do elephants poop?" An older couple standing behind us burst out in laughter, clearly not expecting this conversation. I gave the standard answer, "Yes. Everyone poops." The laughing lady behind me said, "Just look in front of you, there is a big pile right there." That was NOT helpful for curbing the conversation, it only fueled more descriptive poop talk. Yuck!
And then, my poopy weekend got worse.....
At the hippopotamus exhibit, we were able to watch the 3 hippos walk around in the water, 2 hippos get up and walk out of the water, and the remaining hippo calling out to them. They captured everyone's attention for such a long time, I was able to snap a picture....
And then, the 1 hippo remaining in the water, stood up, turned his butt towards us, and pooped! He swished his tail around to wash off his hind end, and moved away from that spot, settling back into the water. The children were thrilled with the entertainment....and started a whole new conversation about how everyone poops. Is that why the water is green? The conversation came to an abrupt halt when one of the other hippos re-entered the water, right at the poopy section, and began eating the poop! YUCK!
The Referee and I were thoroughly grossed out, and said it was time to leave. The children continued to talk about the poop buffet as we walked to other exhibits. We finally had to require a complete halt on any poop talk! I could not believe I had endured this much poop experience in one 24 hour period!
Just when I thought things had returned to normal, Jersey #4 asks "Do monkey's poop?" Her three older siblings answered in unison, "Everyone poops."
The Referee and I were thoroughly grossed out, and said it was time to leave. The children continued to talk about the poop buffet as we walked to other exhibits. We finally had to require a complete halt on any poop talk! I could not believe I had endured this much poop experience in one 24 hour period!
Just when I thought things had returned to normal, Jersey #4 asks "Do monkey's poop?" Her three older siblings answered in unison, "Everyone poops."
Oh, I am not looking forward to those days... AJU5 staying gassy and stinky are enough for me now!
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