Question for DIS Teachers

[SaraJayne]

I've always told either of my kids that if they ever have to use the bathroom for whatever reason (pee, vomit, etc) and they can't wait to ask the teacher (or teacher says no) to get up and leave.

DD is a major rule-follower though and I don't see her disobeying the teacher. I honestly think DS16 holds it all day, even though the restrooms are spotless and they can go anytime they want during the day.

 

[afnaechiquita]

I'm not a teacher or a parent but this thread reminds me of when I had a doctor's note following a medical issue that stated my teachers were to let me go when I had to go, and one teacher in particular would never, ever let me go. I eventually got switched out of his class. He was a nut.

I really like the idea a PP said they use in their class with the six times/subject and using tickets if they need to go more often. I'm not sure how well that would work telling the teacher "here's an idea for you to be better" though?

 

[SpecialK]

Retired teacher - I never had an issue with bathroom use. I had a sign-out sheet & when the student returned, they crossed their name out. I never "checked it" to see how often anyone was using the bathroom. The signout was so that I would know if the student was out of the room at the time of a fire drill, etc.

I think making issues out of bathroom use creates problems. If the students can quietly get up & go to the bathroom without disruption - why not? Using the bathroom IS normal.

I agree. I taught jr. high for fifteen years, and I never had an issue with bathroom breaks. Before a test, I made a blanket statement to "go now" because once the test was out it was emergency only.

Sometimes kids really have to go; sometimes they just need a few minutes to themselves. My only rule was one at a time.

 

[PollyannaMom]

...We send the kids after breakfast, mid-morning, after lunch, after/before recess, and on the way to/from related arts. That averages out to a minimum of every hour and a half. Unless you're teaching very young kids, or there's a special circumstance, they shouldn't have to go more frequently then that.

That's what I wish there were - designated times to go, but there just aren't at this age. And they're expected to pass quickly from one room to another between classes - no real break then either. Everyone just prays the kids go during someone else's subject, so they doesn't miss any of theirs. I get that it's because they're under a lot of pressure to cover too much material in too little time, but holding it all day (even for middle schoolers, who I do agree could wait for the end of the individual lesson) can't be healthy.

DS has his annual well visit this week, and I think I'll ask how many times a day a child his age should be going.

 

[mjkacmom]

I went to a school with 1800 students (about a mile to walk from one end to the other) and only 10 minutes between classes. If I could use the bathroom 2-3 times per day, no one really has excuse. Granted, I had very little time to socialize with my friends, but I also didn't want to pee my pants, lol!

That's a lot of time between classes! Our DH students get 4 minutes, and at Open House, I was huffing and puffing trying to get to the classes on time (3 floors). Dd16 has a teacher who will let them go to the bathroom, but deducts 1 point from their marking period grade. Dd usually has to go once a day in the late afternoon (has a lunch that ends before 11:30, and she keeps hydrated), and has to decide what class to ask to go, since there is no time between classes.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I have always taught my daughter that if she has to use the bathroom adn the teacher says no (UNLESS its for a reason like the middle of a new lesson) she is to get up and leave, go to the bathroom and then go to the principals office and have them call me and I will come down and discuss it. I would never want my daughter to leave a half eaten lunch and come back and continue eating it, you never know what someone could have done to it. But I would tell her to try to go after eating whenever possible- the leaving class is only in an emergancy when told no!

I agree with this. My youngest DS has wet his pants in class when the teacher told him no before. He doesn't have a medical problem, but he has a small bladder. He is the kid who uses the bathroom a lot during class because he really needs too. I'm sure some teachers think he is just messing around.

 

[Sam81]

I think the students should reverse the rolls and keep track of the teachers. every time a teacher has to leave to go to the bathroom they are deducted $20 from their paycheck. That would even things out.

 

[mickeyboat]

My 7th grade DDs only have 3 minutes between classes and a 20 minute lunch. They carry around all their binders and books in their backpacks because there isn't enough time to go to their lockers between classes. They don't use the bathrooms either, unless it is an emergency. They barely eat or drink anything all day and are ravenous and thirsty when they get home.

I have never heard them complain about not being allowed to use the bathroom during class time, so I assume they are allowed to go if they have to. If I did hear they were not allowed to, I would definitely be saying something.

 

[DopeyDame]

Retired teacher - I never had an issue with bathroom use. I had a sign-out sheet & when the student returned, they crossed their name out. I never "checked it" to see how often anyone was using the bathroom. The signout was so that I would know if the student was out of the room at the time of a fire drill, etc.

I think making issues out of bathroom use creates problems. If the students can quietly get up & go to the bathroom without disruption - why not? Using the bathroom IS normal.

This has to be the most logical, awesome, fantastic, realistic procedure I've heard. The class isn't disrupted by kdis asking to leave, and the kids can actually go to the bathroom. Yay!

DS is in a montessori school, where even at 2.5 years old, they just go to the bathroom if they have to without any permission or discussion. The school goes through 6th grade, and the alums will sometimes come back to discuss the transition to traditional schools, and consistently one of the most annyoing things for the kids is not being able to just go pee when they want to.

 

[Becky2005]

I'm amazed that all these kids use the bathroom at school. My son's friends-boys and girls-were talking Saturday night about how they all wait till after school. I have no idea how they do it.

That would be my daughter! She is a camel! Of course, she has issues with public bathrooms & only uses them as a very last resort, will be peeing my pants if I don't/absolutely no other option type situation. Not that it was lucky but it did make it nice for her in the middle/end of 7th grade, she wore a back brace that she had to go to the nurse to after gym since she took it off for that & it had to be tightened by the nurse -- the nurses office has an individual bathroom. So, I think she used that to her advantage.

I haven't really discussed it too much with my boys as they aren't quite as picky. Basically, if they have to go they will use the bathrooms at school.

 

[dogluva]

I think the students should reverse the rolls and keep track of the teachers. every time a teacher has to leave to go to the bathroom they are deducted $20 from their paycheck. That would even things out.

Yes didn't take long for the teacher bashing. I was waiting for it..

Just so you know, teachers never get a chance to use the bathroom-you just can't get up and leave a class alone. Unlike other professions were you go when you have to.

 

[marcyinPA]

Things like this IRK me. The time to go to the bathroom is when you have to go. I understand the frequent escapees- the ones who ask to use the bathroom so they can get out of doing their work. But the teacher should know who those kids are. If your son truly has to go, and is not trying to escape- then he should be allowed to go.

Maybe he didn't have to go at lunch. Maybe he doesn't have to do a #1, but a #2. You can't schedule those-

I think if your son can't handle it on his own at this point you should step in. Contact the teacher and ask if he has been avoiding doing his work by asking to use the bathroom. If the answer is no- then he should be allowed to use it when he needs it.

ETA: I am a teacher. I understand what teachers do. But I also have issues with things like "you can't use the bathroom", or "one of you was talking, so you all have to have a silent lunch", etc.

 

[torinsmom]

As a teacher, one of the mandatory trainings we have to attend each year talks about things we can and cannot do as far as punishment. We are told we cannot deny a child if they need to use the bathroom. Since I am not inside a child's body, I don't KNOW if they need to go. I may ask if the child can hold it for a minute, but if they say no, I let them go. It's not an issue if we are in the classroom, as we have a bathroom there and the kids go when they need to. If we are in the cafeteria or on the playground, they have to ask. Some kids can hold it and some kids can't. My kids are 4-6, and they know the magic word to get to go right then and that is....POOP!

 

[marcyinPA]

My kids are 4-6, and they know the magic word to get to go right then and that is....POOP!

So funny! I teach 2's, but several of them are potty trained. The other end of the spectrum from what the OP is going through is that when I see "the signs"- I rush those little ones into the bathroom ASAP! No waiting, no holding, no questions asked!

 

[DisneyCrazyMomma]

I'm a daycare provider so my job is different than being a classroom teacher. However, I believe that if a kid has to go, they should go, because honestly, if they have to go bad enough to ask mid-class, they are going to focus on needing to go, vs. the lesson anyway. Of course, you have your frequent offenders, but I think those should be dealt with individually, and not cause the rest of the class to be "punished" - FWIW - I respect teachers. I can handle the little ones, but the older ones, I don't think I could do it.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Spring of 3rd grade -- my son asked to go to the nurse. He had never gone to the nurse's office all year - ever. His teacher would not let him visit the nurse, even though he had asked politely - twice.

The THIRD time this poor 8-year-old asked to see the nurse - just as his teacher was saying "no" again - he vomited all over her desk & books.

She deserved that! The poor kid asked politely THREE times!

 

[Sparkly]

I remember our primary school teachers each year telling us that if one of us had to puke, just go! They were usually good about letting us go to the bathroom if needed.

In secondary school, they were meaner, and the bathrooms were disgusting! I often held it until the end of the day unless I was desperate. Goodness knows how I managed it.

 

[dogluva]

Did they use the word "puke"? I don't allow that word in my class or in my house.

 

[Kitty 34]

I have subbed 30 yrs and have usually always let a child go to the bathroom. However,in Junior High and HS......they only can go one at a time. Sometimes, if I'm ready to teach a lesson or in the middle of a lesson, I will ask the child if he/she can wait a few. If they say no they usually really have to go bad. Many, over the years, say they can wait and go back to their work, no problem.

 

[meliss8599]

I think the students should reverse the rolls and keep track of the teachers. every time a teacher has to leave to go to the bathroom they are deducted $20 from their paycheck. That would even things out.

In our district, students are NEVER allowed to be alone without adult supervision. There are times I have to use the washroom so bad that my eyes are literally watering, but I cannot leave my students unattended. On most days, there are no other teachers near me on their planning period and I must suffer through it.

Teaching is not a profession where you can go to the bathroom whenever you please. I was surprised to read that that is the case in your area.

Yes didn't take long for the teacher bashing. I was waiting for it..

Just so you know, teachers never get a chance to use the bathroom-you just can't get up and leave a class alone. Unlike other professions were you go when you have to.

Agreed.