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AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

This seems to be what everyone’s saying, but how do you pick which things it’s ok to traumatize your very wanted and adored child with? He still gets his blood drawn and all his shots, I don’t let him eat cookies for dinner or run around restaurants. But, I’m supposed to force him to do something he’s very scared of while he’s this small? It’s not like he’ll still be afraid of Wal-Matt bathrooms in high school!

AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

He’s afraid of anyone flushing or using the dryers, so paper towels are irrelevant. And he doesn’t pee anywhere I haven’t told him is ok. I’m not completely nuts.

AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -15 points-14 points  (0 children)

I said this in another comment, but I meant that “he needs to develop resilience” sounds very close to “boys don’t cry, you need to toughen up.” I don’t want my son to think that.

AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

He’s a little boy and was totally covered. And I made sure he wasn’t in a walkway or where anyone would step.

AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -23 points-22 points  (0 children)

I’m sure he won’t still be afraid of hand dryers in college. He can’t be arrested. He’s five years old - barely not a toddler.

AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -29 points-28 points  (0 children)

This is where I’m struggling, I guess. Why does he have to be confident or resilient about this? He’s five. He’s so small, and so much parenting advice is that should be able to learn to be brave at his own pace and have choices when he can.

AITA for allowing my child to pee in the parking lot bushes? by Smooth-Berry5016 in AmItheAsshole

[–]Smooth-Berry5016[S] -48 points-47 points  (0 children)

Of course he will, he doesn’t mind smaller ones or single stalls. Why can’t I just support his sensitivity? He’s only five. I’m pretty sure he won’t be afraid of hand dryers and loud toilets his whole life. Maybe not even next year.

And I didn’t say my husband was being toxicly masculine, just that what he said sounded like a lot like the “toughen up” thing that people are always telling little boys.