There are so many milestones for parents to treasure: first smile, first laugh, first word, first step.<\/p>\n
Now allow me to add one to the mix that may not immediately come to mind: last diaper.<\/p>\n
Yes, it’s a big deal. First and foremost, they’re expensive. Secondly, they require their own bag. Then, there’s the coordination.<\/p>\n
Seriously, shuttling supplies from parent to parent, to grandparent or baby sitter and back is a choreography in itself that goes with diaper duty.<\/p>\n
I was thrilled when my daughter made up her mind that she wanted to wear “big girl” underwear. (Less thrilled when I discovered that she grabbed a package of Disney princess underwear and stashed them into her backpack undetected during the Christmas shopping craze, but that’s another story!)<\/p>\n
She was determined to get out of diapers, and she did. She didn’t even want to use Pull Ups. She was so proud to wear her new underwear (which I did pay for after I discovered what my dear daughter did). She also wanted to make sure every successful trip to the toilet was announced and applauded.<\/p>\n
Potty trained. The end of our diaper-buying days – a great gift, for sure.<\/p>\n
But I was unprepared for phase two of the process for child No. 2. Not long after that, my daughter started kicking me out of the bathroom.<\/p>\n
She wouldn’t just shoo me out. She would say, “Get out, Mommy,” or my personal favorite, “Don’t bother me!” Heaven forbid I attempted to help her with toilet paper or flushing.<\/p>\n
I can live with that, but lately a new toilet-training issue has popped up.<\/p>\n
This has to do with those annoying automatic toilets.<\/p>\n
Just about every restaurant, shopping center or hotel seems to have them. The new and not necessarily “improved” toilets replace manual handles with infrared sensors.<\/p>\n
They’re often loud, have a mind of their own and splash you with a premature flush. I’ve been frustrated by them. Imagine my 2-year-old daughter’s reaction.<\/p>\n
I can tell you from experience. We went to a hotel restaurant bathroom recently and she proceeded to say “Don’t bother me” and lock the stall.<\/p>\n
All was fine, until she started doing her business and the toilet kept flushing, automatically.<\/p>\n
Apparently, it’s common for children to have issues. Their small size and fidgety behavior challenge and confuse the sensor.<\/p>\n
Well, I finally diffused that situation, only to run into another one right after that.<\/p>\n
You know those automatic hands-free faucets?<\/p>\n
Don’t get me started.<\/p>\n
tjoaquin@hawaiinewsnow.com<\/B><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
There are so many milestones for parents to treasure: first smile, first laugh, first word, first step. Now allow me..<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5251],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tannyas-take"],"yoast_head":"\n