Cathy in the Wright

Question

Perhaps some of my male readers can weigh in on this one. Does it make you feel self-conscious, creepy, or irritated when a mother hangs out at the mens' room door waiting for her son?

Yesterday we crossed a new threshhold. I let The Senator go the bathroom by himself in a public place. Previously, I dragged him into the ladies' room with me, but in an effort to recognize his growing independence (and his assertions that he is almost a man now), I let him go urinate by himself. But I stayed right outside the bathroom door, which gave me an occasional peek of someone using the urinal. I couldn't help myself. I kept waiting for The Senator to come out and so my eye was alwyas on the door. (By the way...back view only and I looked away immediately.) I felt weird - I didn't want anyone to feel observed, but there was no way I wasn't going to be within earshot.

The second trip to the bathroom was a long one. I was beginning to wonder if he snuck a stack of comic books into the stall. I was keeping track of the men that went in and out, and I was waiting for a break so I could at least prop the door and yell to him, when a kind old man came out and said, "He's washing his hands; he's almost done." The look of relief on my face made him laugh.

So guys...sympathy for mom or call the restaurant manager to report the weirdo?