Go-Go Mommy

Make mine full size, please.

Can we talk about how difficult it is to get into a public restroom with a toddler, an infant, and a double size stroller along with all the bags, etc. that go along with a shopping trip with kids?

When you're traveling in this manner, it's like having an "extra wide load" sign hanging off you. That said, do I have to point out that these circumstances call for the chance to use the large, handicap stall? Now I know that given the option, any adult in his/her right mind prefers to use the extra-large bathroom over any of the tiny, little stalls where the door bangs your legs when you close it and it makes you feel like you have claustrophobia (even if you've never felt a bit clautrophobic at any other time in your life). I, myself, have opted for the larger stall whenever it is free and I am sans kids. However, once there, can the visit be brief when there is a line of moms waiting for that exact stall or can the person in there just tell us if there is a genuine emergency?

Here's the scoop: I'm on vacation visiting relatives out of state and our trip to the mall resulted in a detour to the "Family Restroom." Luckily I spied it on my way in to the woman's restroom and had to make a b-line to it when I discovered that I was the second mom in line for the "large stall" when 8 other small stalls remained happily unoccupied.

While I appreciate the fact that someone was kind enough to consider that there are special family needs and then go so far as to design and provide a space where one can enjoy a large space for breastfeeding with a separate space for diaper changing and even a separate connected bathroom with sink - there was still one critical design flaw:

(I couldn't resist taking a photo since I was technically a tourist.) Ugh! What happened to the mommy and daddy pictured on the sign? Nice try but I think you missed the mark!

Sometimes Mommy Has To Go Potty Too

Originally posted on Silicon Valley Moms Blog as JB.

Haven't we all been here?  Feeling a little guilty and maybe even silly because we are looking for a "hideout" in our own home?  In my home, the only room with a lock on it is one of my bathrooms.  Unfortunately, I just found out that the lock can be bypassed by simply turning harder on the handle. 

My day began well enough. I found myself actually making a dent in my to-do list:     -attend morning swim class with the girls
    -pick up grocery essentials for dinner
    -get Poppy (3 year old) signed up for "Pre-dance/Tap Class" for fall semester
    -start to tackle laundry from vacation
    -catch up on email since vacation (ie: planning playdates and sending out vacation photos)
    -work on planning a September Kids Outing for our local Parents' Club
    -feed Sweet Pea (9 month old) at appropriate times and get her to take 2 naps to help with nighttime 
     sleep

I guess I got so into the groove of moving from task to task that it didn't occur to me that I set up a recipe for disaster until it was too late. 

Sweet Pea had been cranky on and off due to teeth numbers 3 and 4 now doing their best to push through those beautiful little pink gums and make their appearance.  This combined with her usual nighttime fussiness started to fuel her cries just as I made my way to "the haven."  Poppy (whom I'm told has the "energy of a boy") then runs around wildly in and out of the baby's room screaming "it's okay, it's okay, calm down" and then running to the bathroom door looking for mommy.  According to Poppy, she wanted me to 1) stop the baby from crying, and 2) send some attention her way since I was so busy "accomplishing" so much today.  And, of course, all of this chaos begins just as my husband returns from a work trip where he spent all day in meetings and an airplane and was in recovery mode.

Was it wrong of me to take advantage of the reinforcements (okay just one - my husband) and put my foot against the unlockable door to gain some "me" time and do a Sudoku puzzle?  Should I admit that I cranked up the fan to drown out some of Sweet Pea's complaining cries? And should I apologize when those 3 year old fists on the door were met with my response "Sometimes, mommy needs to go potty too."?  I now realize that kids aren't the only ones with potty issues.  Where is your haven?