Filed under: Kids 5-7, Kids 8-11, EducationWhenever my 7-year-old girl has a friend over, I've noticed that they always want to accompany one another to the bathroom. I can think of no good reason to make potty breaks a group activity and therefore discourage this. I think this must be a girl thing because I've never noticed boys pairing up to go potty. But boy or girl, students at an elementary school in North Carolina are required to have a partner when using the facilities.The potty partner rule has nothing to do with safety, rather it is intended to discourage graffiti in the bathrooms. Apparently artistic expression on the bathroom walls has been an ongoing problem at Burgaw Elementary school and this is their solution. School officials sent a letter home to parents informing them that from now on, children will only be allowed to go to the bathroom in pairs or as a class.And they mean business, too. A child found guilty of the offense of going to the bathroom alone will be punished with public humiliation: a silent lunch eating at a table alone.Predictably, parents are upset. One mom refers to it as "cruel and unusual punishment" and some parents are organizing efforts to put an end to it.I also think the punishment is severe, but it's the rule itself I question. At an age whenchildren are learning to be independent and do things on their own, it seems somewhat counterproductive to inhibit that. What do you think? Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Posted on Sun, 18 May 2008 12:01:00 EST at http://www.parentdish.com/2008/05/18/par...ry-school/
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