Is it okay for kids to pee on a tree?

Haha. Yeah, I let our kids do that if absolutely necessary and if there aren't many people around. I generally try to avoid the situation by getting them to pee when we're near a bathroom. I guess I also take into consideration whether it is going to make a mess, i.e. don't let them pee on the sidewalk or somewhere where it needs to be cleaned up! Anyway, the more you can get your kids to wait, the more they learn how to control their bladders. Run run run as fast as you can, you can't catch me I'm running to the bathroom man!

I feel for you! Anyone who has a little one knows where you're coming from. I totally wouldn't hold it against you either. I have a 2 year old right now too and I have had my child pee in public before.

General FYI: It's pretty much illegal to pee in public (public urination) for some the following reasons: unsanitary, "public nuisance," littering. This is based on a Court of the Appeal for the Second District (California) ruling in 2003.

Now I have everyone make regular restroom visits. When my oldest was potty training, I even resorted to carrying a training potty IN THE CAR with cleaning solvents and other items on hand to sanitize, etc.

Hope you weren't too traumatized by the verbal abuse! =o)

I am so glad you brought this up! My little boy is potty training and I have wondered the same thing! I have conflicting views. If I did not have kids and saw one peeing in the parking lot I might be grossed out, but now I totally understand how hard the kid works to not wet his pants and how urgent it is for him to go NOW.

Oh my gosh! I had no idea it was actually illegal!

Rude man was swearing at me and calling names. It was a very unpleasant experience. I couldn't think of a good come back.

Is it illegal to pee in the tree when hiking?

From Leave No Trace:
"Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished."

Personally, I'd say pee on a tree while hiking, but make it slightly off the path. If you can dig a hole first, that might be better. Honestly, pee is sterile, so except for the "ew" factor, it should be fine.

This is beyond silly. If it were your dog peeing on the tree nobody would think twice about it. Kids do a lot of things that adults would be arrested for. I'd probably object if a kid were peeing on my car, or on the sidewalk, but sometimes as a parent you gotta do what you gotta do.

Ok, I seriously cannot resist a story - my daughter was 20 months old and potty training, I was 9 months pregnant and she sent up the flag that she had to go while we are flying down the highway with no exit or potty in sight. I usually did carry a potty in the trunk, but absentmindedly, left it in a parking lot the week before. So, there we are on the side of the highway with my daughter hanging her little tushy over the guardrail, while sitting on the tip of my tennis shoe (still on my foot), and holding onto my hands, and here comes Mr. Policeman. He was laughing so hard he could hardly talk except to say "don't forget to flush before you get back in the car and take the toilet paper with you".

So apparently, public urination is not as illegal as littering...you gotta do what you gotta do, try to put the fluids in the legal place, when all else fails...find a tree.

It's one thing to politely let you know that peeing on a tree is crossing the line for him, but quite another to yell and swear. Is swearing in front of a child any better? If this person were truly concerned, he would have handled the situation in a much more mature manner. Quite obviously he does not have children your child's age and doesn't understand the motivation behind your actions. I am sure he would have been equally disgusted had your child ran thru the store to try to make it to the rest room, or heaven-forbid peed on the floor b/c he couldn't get there in time. There's just no way to win with an individual like this, so comfort yourself in knowing that the rest of us get it and feel for you. If only the rest of the world practiced more tolerance, our lives would be more pleasant b/c of it.

When my son was potty training I carried a Portable Potty in my car.. Target and Toy R Us carry a Potty whose legs fold in and it fits in a Messenger Bag. Easy clean up as the mess goes directly into the trash bag, all you have to do is take the bag out and toss it. And wipe seat with lysol wipes. Peeing on a tree is not the best practice.

I was just reminded of a story from my childhood. I used to occasionally take a car pool to school and one day I really had to go pee. I asked the car pool lady driver to pull over and she refused and offered me a 7-Up bottle. Apparently her kids actually used it! I refused and held it until I was about to die. I made it to school though!

My boys pee all over the place. I mean, really. I was really nervous when we went to Singapore because I heard they are quite strict about those types of things. In fact we were in an outdoor mall and my son started to drop his pants (he was like 2 1/2) and I picked him up and ran and held him up to a garbage can. Glad I didn't get cained.
Also for some reason my kids (2 and 5) like to run outside and pee in the grass of our yard first thing in the morning (I did not teach them this). And I started noticing patches of grass dying. So now I forbid that. For reals.

I don't think that reaction was appropriate but I would probably not let my child urinate in public. If I were right in front of a Target I would defiantly have gone back in. If it were me I would probably prefer to let them pee on themselves if they couldn't hold it and keep spare clothes in the car. Everything can be washed! :)