Germaphob mom, newly potty trained toddler, and WDW potties Q

[quandrea]

I wonder what sort of hang up these "germaphobe" parents are instilling in their kids. I think as a parent you have a responsibility to do as little damage as possible to your kids. Passing on neurotic tendencies is unfair. Our skin is a semi permeable membrane. Nothing nasty is entering through one's backside via a toilet seat. Get in there, do your business, wash your hands. All will be well. Teaching your kids that a public restroom is fraught with danger is blatantly irresponsible.

 

[Dis703]

I wonder what sort of hang up these "germaphobe" parents are instilling in their kids. I think as a parent you have a responsibility to do as little damage as possible to your kids. Passing on neurotic tendencies is unfair. Our skin is a semi permeable membrane. Nothing nasty is entering through one's backside via a toilet seat. Get in there, do your business, wash your hands. All will be well. Teaching your kids that a public restroom is fraught with danger is blatantly irresponsible.

Thanks for your judgement. It's always very helpful for parents such as myself who struggle with anxiety and OCD. FWIW, my kids are 5 and 8 and so far entirely unphased by public restrooms. It's not exactly a choice that I can't use a public restroom at times without having my chest tighten, my arms go numb, and practically hyperventilate. It's also entirely possible to struggle with these anxieties and not expose your children to them in a way that would be damaging. I'm not sure how giving them a seat cover, asking them not to touch anything, and making sure they wash their hands is in any way unfair, irresponsible, or damaging.

 

[quandrea]

Anyone have any tips and tricks for me with my 2 yr old DD when it comes to potties at WDW? I am a germaphob, needless to say my daughter has yet to use a public bathroom. When out I usually tell my daughter to go before we leave and I have her first potty in the trunk of my car for an emergency. I see the travel seats that fold up and can be put in a bag and then over the toilets but I am still thinking the front section of the toilet is exposed, usually where people end up leaving a mess on the toilet (sorry I know gross). Anyone out there like me? Any tips/ideas? Thanks!

Thanks for your judgement. It's always very helpful for parents such as myself who struggle with anxiety and OCD. FWIW, my kids are 5 and 8 and so far entirely unphased by public restrooms. It's not exactly a choice that I can't use a public restroom at times without having my chest tighten, my arms go numb, and practically hyperventilate. It's also entirely possible to struggle with these anxieties and not expose your children to them in a way that would be damaging. I'm not sure how giving them a seat cover, asking them not to touch anything, and making sure they wash their hands is in any way unfair, irresponsible, or damaging.

But you are not satisfied with the seat cover, not touching things and washing hands. You asked for more tips/tricks. You are fixated on the area of the seat that may not be covered by the seat cover. So the mainstream measures that one might take in a public restroom don't cut it. You are looking for more. The reality is there is no need for more measures than the ones outlined above. Some of the suggestions such as encouraging pull up use in otherwise toilet trained children are unbelievable.

 

[robinb]

But you are not satisfied with the seat cover, not touching things and washing hands. You asked for more tips/tricks. You are fixated on the area of the seat that may not be covered by the seat cover. So the mainstream measures that one might take in a public restroom don't cut it. You are looking for more. The reality is there is no need for more measures than the ones outlined above. Some of the suggestions such as encouraging pull up use in otherwise toilet trained children are unbelievable.

Um ... those are two different posters.

FWIW, I agree with you about parents trying to not pass on their germophobic tendencies. It sounds like @Dis703 has done so (at least when it comes to public restrooms) even though it appears to have been an uphill battle for her.

 

[quandrea]

I know that those were different posters. That pull up suggestion just struck me as so outlandish that I included it as an example of some of the over the top suggestions offered beyond the basic seat cover, hand washing measures.

 

[mjkacmom]

I wonder what sort of hang up these "germaphobe" parents are instilling in their kids. I think as a parent you have a responsibility to do as little damage as possible to your kids. Passing on neurotic tendencies is unfair. Our skin is a semi permeable membrane. Nothing nasty is entering through one's backside via a toilet seat. Get in there, do your business, wash your hands. All will be well. Teaching your kids that a public restroom is fraught with danger is blatantly irresponsible.

I have a friend who made a 16 hour drive to WDW with very little stops, making everyone use diapers in the car (she keeps them on hand in case anyone needs to per while out and about. Not normal.

I am afraid of heights, elevators and especially escalators. I hid this from my kids for a long time until they were on to me. By then, they were old enough to just make fun of me!

 

[J'aime Paris]

But for a person with anxiety about germs and public bathrooms it isn't necessarily a concern about getting sick so much as the ick factor of potentially touching something that has feces, urine, etc. on it.

You realize that you touch something with feces or urine on it everywhere you go...
Door handles, tables/chairs/booths in restaurants, money, ANY interaction with people who don't wash after using the restroom, vending machines, doctors office, public pools,.....the list goes on and on and on. Don't even think about hotel rooms...

 

[eeyoreandtink]

thanks going to look at those toilet covers, I always have antibacterial wipes on me bc my oldest has food allergies so I am always wiping down tables and chairs, and post its, and maybe disposable gloves, the thought of touching someone else urine while wiping the seats makes me want to vomit lololol.

It shouldn't bother you if germs are your worry. Unless you have a UTI, urine is actually pretty sterile. It's high ammonia content kills a lot of stuff. Before modern cleaning products it was often used as a cleaning agent because of the ammonia's ability to cut grease. I get the fixation with the bathroom as a source of germs, but it isn't where you are going to pick them up. It is probably the cleanest, closet to sterile place you will visit the entire time you are there. There is really no need for gloves, unless you are wearing them all day, every day in the parks too. You will be trapping more germs INSIDE the glove than you will be keeping out.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

You realize that you touch something with feces or urine on it everywhere you go...
Door handles, tables/chairs/booths in restaurants, money, ANY interaction with people who don't wash after using the restroom, vending machines, doctors office, public pools,.....the list goes on and on and on. Don't even think about hotel rooms...

It doesn't even have to be people who don't wash. Fecal matter become airborne too. Fecal matter isn't where you should worry about germs coming from though, your skin has more!

 

[tcufrog]

As someone who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder I highly recommend visiting a psychologist who has experience helping with such issues. Life is so much more pleasant now that I'm less anxious.

 

[Lupeix]

When DS was at that stage I carried around a Kalencom pottete plus. It is bigger and covers the seat much better than the foldable potty seats (plus I have a friend that had one of those collapse while her DD was on it on a public restroom). With kids that age I am more worried about them falling into the toilet than germs on the seat. IMO the toilets at Disney are huge for LOs. Paper seat covers don't help in that sense

The pottete takes more space but works great. I had a little leak proof bag to carry it and always had a pack of sanitizing wipes with me to clean it when he was done. The Baby care centers have actual potties and it is better for your kid to go there, but you may not be near one when your DD has to go. I second the idea of using pull ups just in case.

 

[Stacyleigh1999]

If it helps Disney Bathrooms are generally pretty clean. Germs are gross but just wash up after use lots of sanitizer and try your best to cope. I actually think carrying around a fold up potty seat all over Disney is more gross than anything on a toilet there.

 

[DisneyOma]

I would bring a pack of antibacterial/cleaning wipes with me and give the toilet a quick wipe down before use and just hold her from falling in. I know their are some organic sprays out there (I think Babyganics is one) if you don't like the idea of chemicals on your DD's bottom, I'm willing to bet they have wipes too.

I would leave a potty seat in my hotel room to make it easier for her to do all of her business if she is on a regular schedule.

thanks going to look at those toilet covers, I always have antibacterial wipes on me bc my oldest has food allergies so I am always wiping down tables and chairs, and post its, and maybe disposable gloves, the thought of touching someone else urine while wiping the seats makes me want to vomit lololol.

regular baby wipes, sure - antibacterial ones? Overkill. You can mess up your very important immune system by using antibacterial wipes. Germophobes, your whole body is covered, inside and out, with bacteria. Good bacteria! You start messing with them, you can end up with all kinds of life-long issues like asthma, digestive disorders, skin issues, etc.

Instead of trying to kill bacteria, work on overcoming the phobia.

Thanks for your judgement. It's always very helpful for parents such as myself who struggle with anxiety and OCD. FWIW, my kids are 5 and 8 and so far entirely unphased by public restrooms. It's not exactly a choice that I can't use a public restroom at times without having my chest tighten, my arms go numb, and practically hyperventilate. It's also entirely possible to struggle with these anxieties and not expose your children to them in a way that would be damaging. I'm not sure how giving them a seat cover, asking them not to touch anything, and making sure they wash their hands is in any way unfair, irresponsible, or damaging.

You're still making them fearful, as the seat cover/not touching things is overkill. The hand washing is basic common sense.

As someone who suffers from generalized anxiety disorder I highly recommend visiting a psychologist who has experience helping with such issues. Life is so much more pleasant now that I'm less anxious.

Yes! My life is much more pleasant too after I started dealing with my anxiety, although I am having some issues now. But with the help of a good doctor and some nice drugs, I can fly to visit my daughter, visit my mom in Florida, etc. People can be jerks about therapy and drugs, like there's something shameful about it when it's a mental health issue. Screw them, I say. They'd take meds for a physical issue, I bet.

 

[tcufrog]

I used the potette plus too when my kids had trouble balancing their tiny bottoms on public restroom seats. They liked the handles and I liked that it could double as a portable potty chair.

As for mental Illness, the brain is also an organ. If something goes wrong with another organ you'd treat it. Why should you brain be different?

 

[katyjeka]

I'm sorry but I had to laugh a little at your post. When we had our first child I wouldn't leave the house with her unless her entire outfit matched, hair perfect, etc... I wouldn't take her in a restroom unless it was a do or die situation. After we had 3 more dds things changed!!! I got a call from our youngest daughters playgroup at a local college as she didn't have socks on. She is a boot lover and I never thought to look. I also think nothing of taking them into a restroom. I still carry wipes in my purse but will admit they do not get used as often as they probably should. I can't understand but our other girls are as healthy as our first. I guess my point is most parents are a little more cautious with the first. You have to do what makes you comfortable. Time is the best teacher. Have a great trip.

 

[Klayfish]

I'm sorry but I had to laugh a little at your post. When we had our first child I wouldn't leave the house with her unless her entire outfit matched, hair perfect, etc... I wouldn't take her in a restroom unless it was a do or die situation. After we had 3 more dds things changed!!! I got a call from our youngest daughters playgroup at a local college as she didn't have socks on. She is a boot lover and I never thought to look. I also think nothing of taking them into a restroom. I still carry wipes in my purse but will admit they do not get used as often as they probably should. I can't understand but our other girls are as healthy as our first. I guess my point is most parents are a little more cautious with the first. You have to do what makes you comfortable. Time is the best teacher. Have a great trip.

It's so funny, but oh so true. When our oldest son was born, I wasn't a germaphobe (never have been), but we were ultra cautious of everything. Over packed for things, wouldn't let him out of our sight, etc... After the twins were born, my how things changed. They dropped their Cheerios on the floor? Well, they better learn to scramble to get them before the dog does!! Fall down and bump your knee? Better get up before you get left behind. All three of them are happy and healthy just the same.

 

[tcufrog]

I've discovered that my standards drop with each kid.

 

[robinb]

I've discovered that my standards drop with each kid.

Thank goodness I didn't have more than one. I was so laid back that I probably would have let wolves raise the 3rd or 4th one.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thank goodness I didn't have more than one. I was so laid back that I probably would have let wolves raise the 3rd or 4th one.

I feel like that happened with me haha. My family is very laid back (like we were always just on a blanket on the floor and teethed on my grandparents furniture) and by the time I came along being #3 I basically was free range in a still safe manor. I still often remember my mom and/or grandma saying "are you bleeding, are you dieing? No, then go back outside" when we would go over to her house after church on Sunday.

 

[katyjeka]

All so true. I think you learn as you go. Kids are tough little creatures. We have four and still learn something new everyday. On our last trip our youngest informed us princesses are strange and spooky, but she ran to the Grinch at Universal and stated he was so nice. Go figure??? I always laugh at the new parents and their huge diaper bags and remember the days...