TMI Ok Let's Be Real. Provider Potty Break

[Play Care]

I wish I could say mine are ok when I step out but.....we've got climbing and all sorts of mischief.

But maybe I'm just not normal. I can be in there for 15 mins easy. I put up a gate to block my two littles in the hallway where the bathroom is located and then crack the door. I don't know how weirded out by this a daycare parent might be BUT what other solution could they provide in a situation like this?

I mean even if I am NOT in the rest room, I turn around to find my dck climbing.

I'm very much like Blackcat, buuut, it also depends on the kids in my care.

When I have younger kids (or challenging ones ) they are "put up" for safety. So infants might go in the play yard or PNP (which I only use for sleeping typically but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...) I put older kids at the table (buckled into booster seats) with an activity (I keep table activities set aside just for these types of things) and older kids can, depending on their level of maturity/trust, stay where they are. I'm always assesing my kids and their ability before I get caught with my pants down, so to speak::

But I've always maintained that if a child is so challenging (ie: a 4 year old that gets into things while my back might be turned, etc) that I can't even take a wee, then that child is a not a good fit for my day care. I'll be darned if I start having health issues from holding off on using the bathroom due to poor behavior from my kiddos.

[daycarediva]

I have IBS, tmi, but that being said, all of my kids chose ONE thing to do (seated activity) and all are required to STAY at the table. I have one challenging dude I put in the hallway. He talks constantly to himself bout what he/others are doing, so at least I know what he's up to. I say "Miss X has a potty emergency, pick your activity please" and they grab something and sit.

[Unregistered]

If I have to go, I go.

There is no special plan or 5 step procedure or secret formula.

If I have to go, I go.

None of my kids require constant or continual supervision so there is no chaos the minute I am physically out of the room.

This.

[melilley]

When I need to go, I go! Plus, I'm almost 27 weeks pregnant and can't hold it...ever. I've managed to learn how to speed pee, or do the other.. I usually just leave the door cracked and have the older kids in the play room or sitting at the table.

[Luna]

Am I the only one who takes littles into the bathroom with me? I do things differently depending on who I have in care, but my dcb1.5 comes in with me. He sits on the step stool and looks at a book and talks to himself, or to me. He doesn't seem at all interested in what I'm doing. Sometimes I've got 2 little guys in there with me and they just talk to each other.

[AuntTami]

Am I the only one who takes littles into the bathroom with me? I do things differently depending on who I have in care, but my dcb1.5 comes in with me. He sits on the step stool and looks at a book and talks to himself, or to me. He doesn't seem at all interested in what I'm doing. Sometimes I've got 2 little guys in there with me and they just talk to each other.

Being unlicensed, I do this also. I put up a shower rod and curtain in my bathroom since its small and I pull it closed, sit them on the floor facing the door and have them play with a toy or read a book. But all of my kids are still very young and I some times cannot leave them alone for as long as I need to be away. I just had my gall bladder removed so I get a "stomach ache" about 15 times a day so It's just safer to have them in with me I gues.

[Fiddlesticks]

If I have to go, I go.

There is no special plan or 5 step procedure or secret formula.

If I have to go, I go.

None of my kids require constant or continual supervision so there is no chaos the minute I am physically out of the room.

Ditto. I have 8 children aged 7 months to 3 1/2, I don't even say anything, I just go and come back. Just like I do when I change a diaper, answer the phone, make lunch, put a baby up in his/her crib, get a baby out of his/her crib.... I can hear the children still, they can hear me if I call out to them, they're fine.

[Play Care]

Am I the only one who takes littles into the bathroom with me? I do things differently depending on who I have in care, but my dcb1.5 comes in with me. He sits on the step stool and looks at a book and talks to himself, or to me. He doesn't seem at all interested in what I'm doing. Sometimes I've got 2 little guys in there with me and they just talk to each other.

No I don't, nor would I ever consider it. My line with the kids is that the bathroom is a "one at a time" place. Again, kids that are too little to be on their own for a moment would be "put up" for safety. I have toys reserved just for these times. I am simply not comfortable with kids being in the bathroom with me or potentially seeing something they should not. Many a provider has gone to jail for less.

[bklsmum]

I am fortunate enough to have my almost 19 year old, almost 17 year old and just turned 12 year old home pretty much all the time during the day since my son does his college classes this term online and my daughters are home schooled so there are plenty of eyes here when nature calls.

[CraftyMom]

I do not hold it. If I have to go I go. They don't even realize I'm not there and just continue playing.

[AmyKidsCo]

WI rules for FCC are "within sight OR sound" so I go when I need to go. Except I try to time it to avoid drop off & pick up because the bathroom is near my entry.

[renodeb]

I go when I have to go. The bathroom is right around the play area. Not sure what regs say but my social worker says to just run and use the restroom when we need to.
deb