Winnelliott.com

Today, friends, I'm going to tell you about the problem with children under the age of, I don't know… 5? being able to go into public restrooms alone. 

It's not that there are potential safety concerns (although there are some) as much as it is the lack of experience. And by experience, I mean being able to pee in a toilet or urinal.

Here's the story. You know how sometimes you have to pee, but not enough to really do anything about it? That was me last night around the time I left the office.  Now, truth be told, I should have used my office restroom before I left. But I was in a hurry (not sure why) and figured I could make it until I got home. 

Wrong-o. On my way home from work, I stopped in at Publix to get some salsa. And midway down the aisle, I hit a breaking point and had to find the Publix restroom. So, I'm standing there – and all of a sudden, I feel warm water on my feet. I'm wearing my sandals, so we're talking bare feet.

I look over and to my horror, there is a 5 or 6 year old kid literally pissing all over everything. Or at least from what I could tell by the puddle forming on the ground. Everything. The wall, the urinal, my feet. But now I'm in a really awkward situation… it's not like I can stop mid-pee and leave. And I didn't really feel good about yelling at the kid, so I gave it a little "Careful buddy!" to at least let him know that he should be more careful, mainly by peeing IN the urinal. 

And to that, the kid laughs. HE LAUGHS!!!! He was doing this on purpose. 

So, he runs out of the bathroom a few seconds later, laughing. 

I, on the other hand, end up at the sink using soap and hand sanitizer to wipe off my feet and sandals. 

Moral: Parents…. if you have children, accompany them to the bathroom. 

Second moral: Apparently, it is better to be pissed off than pissed on.