A Breath Of Fresh _______

I thought that you might like a break from my recent Christmas themed posts. So I'm going to
revert back to the usual subject matter. One that is highly popular in our home...poop. Phillip hops into the van after school today, with an announcement: "I made it!" he exclaimed jubilantly. "Made what?" I asked, hoping for the news of an academic accolade of some sort. "I made it to the potty!"


I paused, waiting for the part where he normally bursts into hysterical laughter. No laughter. "Meaning what?" I peered back at him in his booster seat, with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't make it last time." His face showed signs of restrained chuckles. "Phillip, are you saying that you've pooped your pants at school before?" His little head bobbed a 'yes'. "Did you tell the teacher?" He shook 'no'. "Why not, son?" He paused a moment, "It was a secret poop." I wanted so badly to laugh, but knew that this was a serious teaching moment for he and I.


"Phillip, there is no such thing as a secret poop. If you ever poop your pants at school, you have to tell someone." His bewilderment was very apparent, "But Mom, I did tell someone. I told Rogelio!" I just had to ask, "Your class friend? What did he say?" Daniel Jr. interjected from the back of the van, "Mom, don't be mad at him. It was a fart gone wrong!" The kids could no longer keep themselves from laughing. The whole van resounded with laughter for a good three minutes. Even I couldn't hide my amusement at the pure comedic value of this conversation. After a good laugh, Phillip continued, "Rogelio said that I stink like dog poopy." At that answer, the whole van rekindled and laughter prevailed once again. When the noise finally died down, and I had a moment to think, I came to a profound realization.


"Phillip, when did this secret poop happen?" I vaguely remembered a day last week when the van reeked of manure after doing our daily school pick up. "I dunno. A few days ago. It was early day." Click! (Light bulb moment) "Phillip, I remember that day! I kept asking who stepped in dog poop at school that day, because it stunk so bad in the van! Why didn't you say something?" He looked at me as if I'd lost my last marble. "Mom! I didn't step in dog poop." The conversation was going nowhere, and quick. I just ended it with a reminder that no accident is a secret, especially at school. Then I congratulated him on his success at making it to his desired pooping destination today. After all, maybe the positive recognition will assist him in making it to the toilet in the future! It does make me wonder, though, how did his teacher fail to smell that in the classroom?