“Don’t touch anything just stand still, baby. Mama has to spray the potty first.”

“There, we’re all set. You can pee now.  Keep your hands on Mama and don’t touch the seat, ok.”

“Eeek! Don’t touch the flush!  We have to get tissue first. Here spray your hands!”

If you were in a public restroom last Sunday and heard those very words, you have witnessed my daughter’s first public restroom experience.  Yup, my daughter’s turning four in less than a month yet this is the first time she’s gone out without a diaper.  You see, this germaphobic mom has a fear of public restrooms and would rather hold her pee in than use one.  It’s unhealthy, I know, but I dislike the idea of sitting in a potty where hundreds of other people have sat also.  Horrors, I have heard of some who even sit on it like a frog with both feet on the toilet seat.  I know most of you understand this aversion to using public restrooms and I know many moms also avoid having their little daughters use the restroom as well.

However, my daughter can’t be running around in diapers all through childhood so we bravely faced a diaper-free day out. I had with me my arsenal for ensuring that she has the least possible contact with germs. We had potty spray, antibacterial wipes, toilet seat cover, and hand sanitizer spray. Though it took me forever to spray the potty, to wipe it clean with antibacterial wipes, and to line it with a toilet seat cover, my little girl was able to pee properly in the potty and had no “accidents” the entire day (Great job, Jade!).

This may not be a big deal for you, but it’s a milestone for both my daughter and I. I can now proudly say that she is fully potty-trained and has said goodbye to diapers even during bedtime (finally!).