Today's topic: Public Restrooms

Public restrooms.  Oh how I have a love/hate relationship with you.  Often times I find you very convenient.  Other times when I step foot in you, I feel like gagging.

I don't think businesses know how important it is to have clean bathrooms.  I just cannot stand walking into one and finding that 5 out of the 6 stalls have pee or poop in the toilets because no one flushed.  What is so hard about flushing a toilet?  Come on people--you're killing me here.  I also cannot stand to find remnants of someone's pee or poop on the toilet seat.  UGHHHH!  Ever since I was a little girl, my mom taught us to put toilet paper down on the seat before we sit on it.  I still do it to this day.  Sometimes that is even not enough.  Another pet peeve is when I hear the person next to me flush the toilet and walk out without washing their hands.  I think an alarm and flashing light should sound each time someone does this so the whole store or restaurant knows to avoid them and their disgusting pee or poop hands.

I haven't blogged for awhile because two weeks ago I ended up in the hospital with a bacterial infection called C-Diff.  Ever heard of it?  Google it.  It's NASTY.  You get it from taking antibiotics (not my case--I wasn't on any antibiotics) or from fecal-oral transfer.  You do the math---yes, I ate someone's nasty $hit (not knowingly!).  My fellow Americans---wash your hands after using the restroom!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, I need to get back on track here. The main reason I am writing today about public restrooms is because now that I am a mother, I have a new annoyance with public restrooms.  It's not a big dump sitting in the toilet, it's not pee all over the seat, it's not no soap or paper towels, it's not someone not washing their hands.....

It's NOT HAVING A BABY CHANGING STATION?!?!?!?!??!?!?

Men's restrooms have urinals for their convenience.  Most bathrooms have a handicap stall.  This is catering to specific needs.  But who is thinking of a MOTHER'S needs?  Not all businesses.  And it makes me mental.  I don't know how many times I've gone into a public restroom and there is no baby changing station.  Before I had Landyn, I wouldn't have thought twice about this.  I don't know how many times I've had to change him on a sink counter or on the floor (good thing we have a diaper changing mat that I have to disinfect every time I do this).

I think it should be a state law that all bathrooms have a baby changing station.  I can't imagine they cost that much.  And I can't imagine they are that hard to install.  I am drafting a letter to Governor Walker as I type this...not really, but I should. 

Anyone out there feel the same way?  I can't be the only one!