I am a big fan of author Robert Fulghum and have read most of his books. I am always fascinated by how he takes life’s experiences and consistently finds important lessons in them. Here is one of those stories, taken from his book, Maybe, Maybe Not.
On a hot summer afternoon in an airport restroom in Grand Junction, Colorado Fulghum overheard the following conversation. “Please do it for daddy.” “No!” “But if you don’t do it now, you will have to go when we’re standing in line, or when we’re strapped in our seats getting ready to take off. You may have to go when we can’t get back to the bathroom and then you will mess in your pants. You don’t want that and I don’t want that so why don’t you just go now like a good little girl?” “No! This is the boys’ place.” “I know honey, but Daddy can’t go into the girl’s bathroom. Look, what will Mommy and Grandma say when we get off the plane and you’ve messed in your pants and you’re crying and I’m mad? They won’t be glad to see us.” “Yes they will!” “Look honey, we’re going to miss our plane if you don’t go now.” “I don’t care.” “Am I going to have to spank you?” “No.” “Then at least try.” “No.” “If you go I’ll buy you an ice cream cone, or I’ll buy you a present and even let you pick it out. Or, what if I give you a dollar?” “No.”
Finally, the defeated father marched his head-strong princess out of the men’s restroom. He was a big man with cowboy boots and a Stetson hat, but he had been defeated by a five-year-old in patent leather sandals. Later Fulghum saw them headed back to the bathroom, this time they were in a big hurry. Now the little girl had to go! The last time he saw the two they were sitting alone in the lobby after missing their flight.