public bathrooms...

*** Disclaimer --- I'm sure after reading this post, some of you are going to thing I'm a total nutcase, and that's fine, but public bathrooms are one of my quirky hang ups. I hate them. I truly detest them. If it were just me, I'd NEVER set foot in one, but since it's not just me, I have no choice. *sigh*

Anyway....

I can't think of too many things I hate worse than public bathrooms, especially when I have to take the kids in there..... I'm somewhat neurotic about them, but I've seen too many people NOT wash their hands, and do other random disgusting things, that I have a hard time using them at all. In general, they are dirty, disgusting, and full of germs. Thankfully, Katherine has been well trained in public restroom protocol. She knows what she can and can't touch, makes sure the toilet seat is completely covered with paper before she sits down, and never touches a door handle without paper in her hand. Caleb on the other hand... Not. So. Much.

This afternoon, my mom and I made a quick Costco run. Before we went, the boys and I were over at the Launderville's house for a play date. Before we left I asked Caleb 100 times if he had to go potty, but he told me no, so off we went. Shockingly, about half way through the shopping expedition, he's "gotta go"! So I leave Andrew and the cart with my mom and dash off for the bathroom.

All the way to the bathroom I prep Caleb for what he can and can't do. I thought he understood, but evidently not. As soon as we get into the stall, he tries to lift up the lid to the little garbage box hanging on the wall, exposing "items" that made my skin crawl. I immediately tell him not to touch that or anything else because it's full of germs. He says "OK, Mommy" rests his hands on the toilet seat. Again, I explain to him that the bathroom is dirty and that other people sit on the potty chair, and he should NOT to touch it. He then tries to flush the toilet with his bare hands. At this point I'm sweating, swearing under my breath, praying for a can of Lysol to drop from the ceiling, and trying not to freak out about the whole experience.... Too late for that, huh?? LOL!

I then put down the paper ring things on the toilet seat and he asks my why we do that at the Costco, but not at home. I explain to him AGAIN about germs and sit him up there. Since he's not used to using a regular toilet yet, I have to crouch down and hold him on.

All of a sudden, I hear a lady yelling at me from 4 or 5 stalls away. She says, "I am sooooo sick down here and am forced to listen to you ramble on and on about how dirty and full of germs this bathroom is. Can't you just be quiet already???". NICE. What do you even say to that? Nothing!

At this point, Caleb pats me on the cheek and whispers, "I love you, Momma". AAAAHHHH, the silver lining! It was all worth it.

We do our business, and as we're heading out of the stall, she says, "Make sure you wash your hands. YOU don't want germs".

Nice. Really nice, lady. You're just ooooozing with class!

My goodness. I couldn't wait to get the heck out of there!