Granddaughter can’t take a ‘wee in the woods’

Very surprised at this thread! Growing up, later with my own 3 DDs and now all of them with their own daughters weeing behind hedges, trees etc was only ever contemplated in real desperation. And no one ever thought that fussy or strange. It was just factored in all the time.

I love the wee tree! It think it’s easier for boys as they don’t need to remove clothing probably. I’ll try to avoid it as she clearly isn’t keen, but the camouflage is worth trying if needs be. It didn’t become a battle Hithere, but we were all disappointed to leave so soon. Indeed, pick you battles has been my mantra since having children, and even more so with somebody else’s children I think. Thank you all. X

"This will trap us to staying close to home which is a shame"

Anybody is disappointed when they are having fun and it needs to end, for one reason or another.

"Shame" and "trap" strong words for such a non issue - overblown way out of proportion. So overdramatic.

I read post from GNs that make life so much more difficult for no reasons, such as this one.
I wonder why some gps' main goal in life is a replay of their kids' lives and rearing with their grandchildren.

It also makes me very uncomfortable when gc's details that do not belong in the internet, even children deserve privacy.

Can't see any privacy issue, there is nothing identifying anybody.

Is the issue just weeing outside or weeing on any toilet out of home or familiar places?

45 minutes seems a long way to go home. Was there not a public toilet close enough to not have to end the outing?

Would it help to research where a close public toilet is in advance? Do you have an app or search function like we do in Australia to locate public toilets?

You can download an apt on Google Play store titled Where is public toilet, I'm in England but it even works in Turkey.

If desperate I'm not adverse to having a wee behind a bush myself if on a long country walk.

As I've lived most of my life in the countryside, I've never had trouble having a 'tree wee' (that's what the rangers at our local outdoor activity centre call it ?) if necessary, and still have to do it quite regularly.

Both of my young granddaughters struggle to do this, however. Early attempts led to the wee either running down their leg or into their lowered pants/trousers. Female anatomy can be very impractical in this regard! Not surprisingly, this has made them very reticent to repeat the experience.

Like a poster upthread, I have been caught out on one occasion. I was in a vast wood. Not a sound to get heard. Knowing I couldn't hold it in until I got back home, I stepped into a shallow ditch. As I reached the point of no return, a family appeared as if from nowhere! There was no way they could have not seen me, in my bright red anorak.

Privacy seems to be the main issue here. Perhaps you consider a tiny pop up loo tent?

I love the wee tree. Her daddy used to say he was ‘watering the grass’.

Goodness me Hithere. A little overblown and dramatic indeed…..

I recall when I was a child and we were out driving somewhere if I wanted to 'spend a penny' so I said 'yes' so we stopped in a lay by and I got out and asked where the shop was so I could take my penny and spend it!

I have vague memories of being like this and think it was the pressure to "go" at that moment with others waiting for me. Glad to say soon grew out of it.

I agree Sasta A little overblown and dramatic indeed ..... As has already been suggested, this could be a privacy issue. My brother in his mid 60's is still unable to use a public toilet unless he can access a private cubicle. He simply can't wee in 'public'.

Thank you for the numerous thoughtful suggestions, really helpful for my first post ?

A lot depends on what the child's parents attitude to this is.

If she has been told it is dirty to wee outside then you will get nowhere encouraging her to do so.

Have you mentioned the matter to her parents and asked what they would do?

If they have not strictly forbidden her to wee outside in privacy, tell her next time that you cannot just pop back home, so she will need to wee behind a bush.

Just make sure you have spare underpants with you if she refuses and finishes up wetting herself.

Is there not a child's version of the she-wee?

The thought just struck me.

It reminds of this little boy.

Jamie Oliver's son goes out for a pee in the middle of the shoot

We were in a small but busy tourist town with three of our grandchildren, three year old wanted a wee, I knew where the nearest ones were, but it was still quite a hike.
Got there, and a sign said they were closed on Sundays. What kind of madness is that?
So I just let her go where we were, in a busy built up area, we weren’t going to get to the next ones.
She wasn’t slightly bothered, but I felt a bit self conscious.

Sasta

I love the wee tree! It think it’s easier for boys as they don’t need to remove clothing probably. I’ll try to avoid it as she clearly isn’t keen, but the camouflage is worth trying if needs be. It didn’t become a battle Hithere, but we were all disappointed to leave so soon. Indeed, pick you battles has been my mantra since having children, and even more so with somebody else’s children I think. Thank you all. X

The “easier for boys” is supposed to be the point behind the Shewee. It can be put in place discretely without having to disrupt too much clothing and used from a standing position. Probably best to try it in the shower as a test. I looked for one online recently and there are loads of different ones. I hope the lady who invented them protected her project. (The correct word has escaped me, AGAIN!)

Hithere, I’m sure the OP didn’t see it as a “non issue”, and I didn’t see it as overblown or dramatic either.

Sasta I was exactly the same as your granddaughter . I wouldn't wee anywhere other than a toilet all my life. I am 64. But it didn't stop me going into the country side. My parents took us to places that had toilets near by. I would use the toilet before near to the countryside and only have sips of drink if I wanted one. My parents never made an issue out of it and understood .

With our own children we never made them wee outside unless they where happy. My son was ok but not our daughter so we always found a loo.

When they where toilet trained and up to they where 3 we always took their toilet chair out with us in the car. And shielded them if they needed to use it so no one saw.

Even now if I need the loo when out if it's dirty I will find another one.

I’m unsure of the protocol, but would like to thank everybody for the various suggestions. There were no public loos for miles. She’s happy to use any loo, just not outdoors, and I will download the ‘find a loo app’, thanks again. Deffo going to look into a shewee and a ‘modestly cover’ like you see at the beach. xx

I had a thought last weekend when I was away, so late posting. Would it help the privacy issues if you took a windbreak on outings. Your granddaughter could be completely enclosed and feel private to use the ground or shewee.

Thanks Aldom, that’s the type of thing we are going to try next time it arises and see how it goes.