A Houston mom is outraged over her children’s school policy regarding bathroom breaks. Jessica Wells has two elementary school kids who are required to “earn” passes to go to the restroom. In the past, she has tried to exempt her children from this policy with doctor’s notes, but she recently discovered a couple of the passes tucked away in her sixth grader’s binder. She expressed to a local news outlet that she’s “done” with her kids having to prove they need to use the bathroom, which she believes is a completely natural need.
Is It Okay to Make Kids “Earn” Bathroom Breaks?
Is it really okay to make young kids “earn” the right to use the restroom? The school district claims that this policy is intended to motivate students and help them maximize their learning time. They argue that it teaches kids about time management and planning their schedules. While managing time is definitely important, I can’t help but feel uncomfortable knowing that kids might be restricted from using the bathroom when they actually need to go. Let’s be real—it’s tough enough for them to adjust to being away from home all day, and expecting them to control their bodies during scheduled breaks might not be practical. I know as an adult, I struggle to go on command when someone else decides it’s “break time.”
Health Risks of Restricting Bathroom Access
Rather than punishing all kids for the few who might take advantage of bathroom breaks, it seems like a better approach would be to address the real over-users. Forcing kids to “hold it” can lead to serious health issues like urinary tract infections. A pediatric urology expert has noted that many kids develop harmful habits that result in incontinence and even kidney damage because they aren’t allowed to go when they need to.
Sure, some structure is necessary, but let’s not penalize all students before we even see if there’s a problem. Making kids “earn” bathroom breaks is just plain silly.
Further Reading
If you’re interested in more parenting insights, you might enjoy checking out this article on home insemination kits, or explore the terms and conditions related to it for a deeper dive. For those navigating the journey of pregnancy, this resource on what to expect during your first IUI is definitely worth a look.
Conclusion
In summary, the idea of requiring children to “earn” bathroom breaks at school is not only unreasonable but could also have negative health consequences. It’s vital to approach such policies with common sense and compassion, ensuring that kids can attend to their natural needs without unnecessary restrictions.