Rule 1: Don’t use the bathroom on a home visit. Just don’t. Trust me.

Ah, the home visit—the key ingredient to supporting families in their natural habitat. We all need to use the bathroom. It’s part of being human. However, is it just me, or is using the bathroom in someone else’s domain an awkward risk?

This the beginning of the series of the Rules of Early Intervention.

The last time I broke Rule #1. Picture this: fancy neighborhood, picture-perfect home. I needed to use the potty. I thought it was safe. What I thought was a simple Number 1 turned into a Number 2. Upon flushing, the water rose up like it was supposed to, but instead of going back down, it rose higher and higher and…I almost died waiting for it to almost not quite overflow.

This harrowing experience begs the question: Do other Early Intervention superheroes avoid the home visit bathroom, or is it just me? Here are other examples of times I should NOT have used the bathroom on a home visit.

• The secret hoarder: You never know what awaits you behind that common living room area. Think piles of overflowing bins except for a narrow path leading to the bathroom.
• Something is missing: There’s always something missing. Toilet paper, soap, hand towel.
• Something I should not see: Something embarrassing may be lying on the floor that missed trash. Think safe sex.
• Well, this is different: Once, I just happened to use the bathroom on the day the family got their water cut off, so they were flushing with a bucket of water from the pond.
• Cleanliness is subjective: What one family considers good enough might send another running for the disinfectant wipes.
• The Unexpected: Hello there, Kitty Cat! There was a hole in the floor that the cat up from under the house. While I was on the potty. What the heck?

My own personal conclusion. Just don’t do it.

So, how do we, simple humans of Early Intervention, conquer this challenge?

• Pre-Trip Preparation: Plan to potty strategically! Plan your route to include familiar bathrooms that meet your standards at places like gas stations, libraries, or the occasional “potty tax” snack at a fast-food place. Your bladder will thank you.

Remember, holding it in all day is not good for your health,  so let’s raise a metaphorical glass to avoiding the home visit bathroom and embracing the power of strategic pit stops!