To The Woman In The Bathroom Stall Next To Me

Every mom knows this moment.

No matter where you are…. in the grocery store, a restaurant, a park or even Target, the dreaded words come out of your toddler’s cute mouth… “Mom, I need to go potty!”

Often times I will ask her to hold it, but no more than twenty seconds later those little words come out of her mouth again, this time even louder… “MOM! I NEED TO GO POTTY!”

That’s when we run.

We drop everything and full blown jet for the nearest {and hopefully cleanest} restroom.

And that is where YOU come in. The woman in the stall next to us.

I know you hear a lot that goes on in that little 4×2 stall we are in. Although I can only see your shoes, I know you are listening. I also know that everything I say is echoing throughout the entire restroom.

You hear me say “Don’t touch that” about thirteen times in thirty seconds.

You also may hear crying, banging, toilet paper rolls being emptied, automatic toilets flushing even though she’s still trying to go, me begging her to go since we just ran all the way there, but suddenly doesn’t have to go anymore, her opening and closing the trash bucket, me reminding her not to touch anything again, screaming, tears, her little eyes wanting to peek under your stall to see who you are and then even silence… as I try to take a deep breath, wondering what in the world I am doing.

Through this dramatic detonation of emotions, I need you, the woman in the stall next to me, to understand a few things:

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1. MOM LIFE ISN’T FOR THE FAINT OF HEART: Motherhood brings with it many “unique” situations that can make even the strongest of stomachs turn. What happens in bathroom stalls can bring out the true colors of moms and as my toddler struggles to conquer the great white throne, I appreciate your patience with us. The smells and sounds you have to endure with me will create a bond between us that will make for great stories to share in hindesite.

2. I’M PROUD TO BE TRYING MY BEST: I once heard a quote that said as long as you try your best, there is no failure. Even though the potty struggle is real, doing my best is what matters. I hope that my daughter will remember these messy moments when their mom braved embarrassment to care for her sporadic bathroom blunders. Even in these crazy life moments when I am extremely stressed, I don’t give up because I want to be the best for her.

3. SHE’S POTTY TRAINED, I PROMISE: She’s honestly been potty trained for MONTHS – but for some reason, the second we walk into the bathroom she “doesn’t need to go anymore.” Maybe she just wanted to go to check out the foam soap or maybe it’s the loud hand dryer that she used to be scared to death of, but now LOVES – but I walked all the way to the bathroom, so I REALLY need her to go!

4. YES, WE MADE UP A SONG ABOUT POOP: I used to be cool – but yes, today you heard me sing a song about poop at the top of my lungs. I will do anything and everything for this girl. If a song is what gets the job done then I will sing it over and over and over until she sees success. It may seem a tad ridiculous to you but hey, I’m a mom and I specialize in ridiculous.

5. DON’T CALL THE COPS, I’M NICE I PROMISE: I was once that woman who said, “When I become a mom, my kids will NEVER cry and NEVER have tantrums, especially in public.” Well, as you are well aware of now – I was wrong. I quickly learned EVERY three-year-old has tantrums. EVERY three-year-old cries. What you heard in there wasn’t pretty I am sure, but that bathroom doesn’t exactly bring out the best of me.

6. WE ALL STRUGGLE SOMETIMES: Life gives us all opportunities to grow and it’s true, the times that try us the most aren’t exactly glorious. As we share this bathroom together and you hear me grow through my experience, I hope it brings you back to a time similar in your life. Sure, maybe you have never bare backed a poop stained Wal-Mart toilet before like I am now but you have had a moment when you grew from a trial. Next time you see a mom go into a bathroom say a little prayer for her and bless her with patience.

7. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CONSTANT CURIOSITY: Questions are abundant  when you’re three years old. Our usual subjects include, but are not limited to… our body parts, smells and sounds. No matter how exotic the question, I have learned to not be embarrassed and just laugh when she says crazy things. And I hope you will laugh along!

8. I LOVE BEING A MOM: Although you left the bathroom before you heard my girl FINALLY go, you would have heard us both jump for joy and have a party in the bathroom together! You see, when it comes to being a mom – you can go from being completely stressed one second, to completely falling more in love with your kid the next. The good outweighs the bad and I am willing to do it over and over and over again.

So, dear woman in the stall next to me, I may never see you again, but as we share this public experience filled with such unfortunate potent memories, I thank you for understanding my struggle and seeing me for the warrior I am even in some of my weakest times.

Danielle is the owner of Today's the Best Day. She strives to provide creative and uplifting content in order to enrich the parenting experience for women everywhere. Danielle hopes to help you and your family to make every day the best day!

March 23, 2016 by Danielle Davis | 2 Comments