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Little boys going outside
What do you think about little boys going pee outside on a tree or the grass? We're working on potty training our almost 3 year-old, and he's doing great. We've been at the park the last two weekends, and both times we have let him go pee by a tree. I feel kind of weird about it, but the bathrooms at this park are just disgusting, and he's not able to hold it for very long yet. Should we be bringing his potty with us everywhere we go, or is the occasional outdoor pee ok? I mean, men do it all the time, but I don't want my son to think he can do that anytime and anywhere he wants.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jen, Mom365 Host on -
I admit, whenever I see little boys run off to the woods to wee, I think it's gross. Totally practical, but gross.
We've never been in a situation with my son where he's had to pee outside, but if it was an emergency, I'd be fine with it. I'd rather he peed on a tree than wet himself. So, if it's not an every day thing, go for it. Otherwise, maybe get one of those little johnny cups or some other container with a cap.
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Permalink Reply by Shannon, Star Mom on
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I was with some of my friends and a Mom let her son pee next to the car in a parking lot in front of us, they thought it was so rude. I honestly didn't think it was that big of a deal... I guess it depends on your own surroundings and what kinda person you are if it offends you or not. It does not offend me, but for some it does offend. For me personally, I would allow peeing on personal property... like in our backyard or at a friends house that is okay w/ it, but in public places I would be too concered of people being offended. Of course, if it's an emergency situation my kid is not gonna pee himself and we will have to make do in the nearest bushes around us.
It's embarassing, but my fiance pees every where, in our backyard... and sometimes driving I have to pull over so he can go on the side of the road, and if we have a bottle available he'll go in that... he has a REALLY small bladder, and it's pretty embarassing, but in the big scheme of things if he doesn't care than I guess I shouldn't waste my time caring either (I've learned to just accept it for what it is)... if I saw some random man peeing in public though, I'd be grossed out lol... not a kid though.
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Permalink Reply by EastTexasMommy on -
Let em go. This is how many of the boys I know wee potty trained. They would go outside with dad or grandpa to pee on the tires, trees or ants. So funny to talk about it but we are not very judgmental. I am open to anything that works. I do say stand so he is blocked, not to expose himself around little girls. This can be offensive to some moms. Then there are so many perverts now days. Keep in mind if he gets used to peeing on trees you might have to take him outside just to go potty or if in the store a fake tree is still a tree. Yes I know kids that have and some that go anywhere. Good Luck, I'd keep it up if it is working.
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Permalink Reply by Viviane G on -
I personally don't have anything against it. The issue I have is that, since we are potty training my twins at the same time, when my daughter sees her brother pee outside, now she wants to pee outside too! LOL Of course, I would not let her do that if we were in a public place. Only when we are home - we have a very secluded backyard where nobody can see. I say as long as your child understands that peeing outside doesn't give him the right to pull his pants down everywhere or take his weiner out at any time, don't worry about it. Like Jen said, better go outside than wet himself. Save both of you the embarrassment...
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Permalink Reply by SuperMiller831 on -
I'm not sure how I feel but I have to share this story: My brother's fiancee just told me her 2nd son (now 6) potty trained, "like a dog." She lived in the country so he went outside all the time. She said when he had to go they had to open the door and let him go outside. I don't like the girl that much anyway but this one just put me over the edge. I didn't ask how old he was when she finally got him to go in the potty.
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Permalink Reply by Katie, Mom365 Host on -
Thanks for your reply. I have a similar story: My brother let his boys just go outside and pee anytime, apparently wherever because one time I visited them and they treated me to the sights and sounds of them peeing on their deck! I definitely wouldn't be ok with my son doing that. For my purposes, I'm just talking in the very infrequent, absolutely-necessary situations. All other times are on the potty.
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Permalink Reply by NoesMama on -
In most situations, I would say it's totally inappropriate to allow ANY child to pee outside. THAT SAID, a toddler who is just learning to potty-train or is just becoming successful at it shouldn't be derailed by a nasty bathroom, or the unavailability of the bathroom. I wouldn't flinch at all--I'd probably smile and give you a thumbs-up--if I saw this in our neighborhood park.
I have nephews who refused to pee inside at all (they were 11, 9 and 3 at the time). That was fine at their house, on a 90 acre ranch in the middle of nowhere. At my house in suburbia, this was totally unacceptable. The ultimate showdown came to me not allowing them to visit anymore until they agreed to use the toilet and stop killing my plants and lawn and generally making the exterior of my house smell awful. (They never agreed. So they have not come back.)
In your situation? You're doing great, and considering his needs AND his accomplishments without unduly burdening anyone else. Great job!
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Permalink Reply by Jen, Mom365 Host on
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Katie- how perfect is your timing? Did you see THIS article about the boy whose mom got a ticket because he had to pee and couldn't find a public toilet?!
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Permalink Reply by Katie, Mom365 Host on
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Oh my! I would be so mad if I was that mom! What else could she have done in that situation, other than just let him have an accident!
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Permalink Reply by BeeBubbaBellaBabyChris on -
If we are out on a walk and my sons really have to go I let them go on a tree. I would rather them water the grass then wet their pants and have to deal with the smell on the way home :). My son has learned that he should go before he leaves the house but if we are out and there is an area he can pee in we let him. If not my hubby has taught him how to go in a water bottle so we get in the van close the door and he goes potty. He is really good and doesn't pee all over the place.
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Permalink Reply by jimladeana on
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My son peed outside all of the time, on occasion still does. I don't have a problem with boys or men for that matter peeing outside as long as it doesn't effect anyone else. Here's what I mean... They can pee on my car tire but no one elses. They can pee on a tree as long as it isn't anywhere someone can play (example being in the woods. not on a playground). They can pee where it is private (don't just whip it out in front of everyone and their brother and start spraying). We set rules and boundaries, but let's face it boys will be boys no matter the age lol
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Permalink Reply by NoesMama on
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I agree and disagree with this one....
We live in suburbia. My husband had a bad habit of peeing off our porch onto the lawn. He had killed several feet of lawn, and ultimately I had to remove the soil and replant in those areas. I was FURIOUS every time he did it, especially when our daughter got old enough to walk outside and want to play on the grass. One day after a little rain, her shoes were soaked from the offending area. After repeated washings, I ended up throwing them away because of the smell. I left the shoes for him to inspect, put all of the offending soil in a few buckets, and told him that I was going to start peeing on his couch every time he peed in my yard. So I'm a tad touchy about peeing outside now. (Yes, he finally learned his lesson and does not pee outside anymore.) I don't like the "boys will be boys" attitude for lots of reasons, but the disregard it sometimes shows for other people is the primary one. You've set solid, good boundaries for your boys (you can't pee where it will affect someone else!) but I've known lots of people who don't...and all of them said "boys will be boys" with grin.
That said...little boys who are learning to potty train shouldn't be defeated by a park's failure to keep the restrooms useable.
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