Let’s talk about something that’s been bothering me: the way schools handle bathroom breaks for kids. It’s absurd and, honestly, harmful to our children. My youngest, Alex, was a late potty trainer. He had accidents until he was 8 and wore pull-ups at night until he turned 10. Despite my efforts to limit his liquid intake before bed or waking him up for a bathroom run, nothing seemed to work. Now that he’s 11, he knows when he has to go, and trust me, there’s a very slim gap between that urge and the actual “emergency.” I even keep empty soda bottles in my car for those unexpected moments!
I started worrying about this when Alex was just 4, especially since his older siblings didn’t have these issues. My pediatrician reassured me that every child develops differently and that forcing the issue could make things worse. She emphasized that shaming kids for accidents only heightens their insecurities, which can worsen the situation.
Then, when Alex entered elementary school, I discovered that his bathroom access was restricted. I wasn’t thrilled. What about kids like him, whose bodies don’t function the same way as others? As my doctor pointed out, kids should be able to use the bathroom whenever they need to, not just when it’s convenient for the school. Unfortunately, many schools have rigid bathroom policies where kids get only a handful of passes per month.
For instance, Alex’s fifth-grade class allows just three bathroom passes monthly, or they can go during “transition times.” If he doesn’t use his passes, he gets a reward—lunch with a teacher and a cookie. Seriously? A reward for holding it in? Ridiculous!
Some folks worry about kids “abusing” bathroom privileges, but I think that’s overblown. If a child misuses their allowance, they should be dealt with individually, not penalizing an entire class for a few. Plus, offering a prize for not using the bathroom sends the wrong message. For kids who have struggled with potty training, recognizing the urge can take longer, and sometimes it only hits them when it’s almost too late. Creating a situation where a child might have an accident because they’ve run out of passes or want that cookie is just unacceptable.
Dr. Sam Rivera, a pediatric specialist, echoes this sentiment, saying, “Kids should be allowed to answer the call of nature when necessary—not 10, 20, or even 60 minutes later. It’s a health concern.” Holding in urine can lead to serious issues, including urinary tract infections and even lasting damage to their bladders. It’s even worse when they hold in poop; I can’t tell you how many times Alex has come home saying he had to go but held it all day for a special lunch and that cookie.
As an adult, I can’t imagine dealing with scheduled bathroom breaks, and my bladder is much more developed! We can allow our kids to use the bathroom when they need to and still set consequences for any misbehavior, like messing around in the hallways. But restricting bathroom access and rewarding them for not going isn’t helping anyone.
As Dr. Rivera points out, “Children are damaging their internal organs and their self-esteem. Nothing is more embarrassing for a child than having to walk to the nurse’s office in wet pants.” Going to the bathroom is a natural bodily function, not something that can be timed or scheduled. It’s essential for their well-being and should never be treated as a privilege.
In short, it’s time to rethink how we handle bathroom breaks in schools. Let’s advocate for a system that respects our children’s needs instead of punishing them for simply being human.
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Summary: Limiting bathroom breaks for kids is not only unreasonable but can also have detrimental effects on their health and self-esteem. Children should have the freedom to use the restroom when they need to without facing restrictions or penalties.
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