How should I handle taking mychild to the bathroom in a public place?


The answer to your question depends in part on where your child is in the toilet training process. If your child is still wearing diapers from time to time, it might be easier to stick with diapers whenever you're going to be away from home (unless you're going to a familiar placewith bathrooms designed for young children).

It's too much to expect a child who has barely mastered running to the family toilet to use a publicbathroom where he might have to wait in line or sit on atoilet seat that's very different from anything he's ever tried before.

If your child is in underwear all the time, don't put him backin diapers, but do plan ahead for outings. Pack some tissuesor wipes in your bag, in case the bathrooms are short on supplies, as well as a change of underwear. And just beforeyou head out the door, try to get your child to sit on the potty or toilet.

Don't say "You have to go to the bathroom before we leave," because most children will tell you they can't or don't need to. Just have your child sit for a few minutes and hope for the best.
When you arrive at your destination, find the bathroom.You'll want to know where it isbefore your child needs it, and you'll want to give him a preview, too. You'll have extra room if you use the stallfor people with disabilities, butthe seat may be elevated and your child will need more help.

An adult should always accompany a young child to the bathroom. If you're a dad on your own with a daughter, you may need to be creative ifthe public toilet situation isn't child-friendly. There isn't a perfect solution:

Some dads take their daughter into the men's room, others will use the women's room, and othersask a woman to take their daughter into the women's room. You can ask other dadsfor advice on what they've done in similar situations, but the bottom line is that you — and other adults — need to beflexible so that you can meet your child's needs.