So, my brilliant, highly-cultured solution: Pull the car over and relieve yourself outside.
So problem solved, right? Well, this afternoon, I realized, to my great dismay, that perhaps I hadn't properly explained to/trained my precious children in the etiquette of when and where this sort of thing is 'okay' and permissible....at least, according to their mother. I was sitting in the family room, working on schoolwork with my oldest son, when I happened to nonchalantly glance outside and watch as my almost-6 year old princess de-clothed herself completely in a matter of 3 seconds (albeit a swimsuit), and proceed to squat down shamelessly and relieve herself in the middle of our backyard. I admit- I just froze and watched in great shock (and yes, great amusement, too). Just as I was about ready to holler out and reprimand her, I looked across the yard and saw her 4 year old brother pull down his swim trunks and, like a pro, whiz as well- for a good long 20 seconds at least. Whoa. Okay....so, let's look at the positives: there were no accidents to clean up, no dirt dragged in or wet grassy feet trudged along the floor or carpet, happy kids still playing contently outside.... positives, right?! But, of course, all I could think of at that moment was that my two darling lovely 'middle' children, that I am so proud of and work daily to instill manners in, did this so expertly that I have no doubt this was only one of many times they have done this- at home, in our backyard....just less than, oh, maybe 30 feet from the nearest comfortable, clean, convenient bathroom. (One of the older siblings indeed confirmed this when I pointed out what they were doing: "Oh yeah, Mama. They do it all the time when we're in the backyard.") Oh boy.
So... I've got a few things to work on!!
