Carter is the worst. He can sit for half an hour, easy, requesting book after book from his book nook. His book nook is one of those three by three cubic storage shelf units for books and baskets. I have had to remove most of the baskets in order to cram more books on the shelves so it does not look as nice as it could but it functions well. It fits perfectly at the end of his bed in the corner of his room making a nice reading nook that I am more than a bit jealous of. It is from here that he expects all his reading material to come.
Sometimes his requests are very specific I want two Bernstein Bear books please momma, other times it is more about the quantity, momma can I have five books from my book nook? Never are the leftover books from a previous visit, even it the visit was not his but his brothers, good enough. They need to be freshly brought in for his reading pleasure. Yes, Carter does exactly what the huge Costco package of Charmin asks of him although I don’t think Charmin has much to do with Carter’s bathroom enjoyment.
There are times when I get frustrated with being his book butler, usually after his third or fourth request for more books. I have daydreams about getting a huge windfall of cash that, after donating large sums to save the whales and stomp out world starvation, I would put towards making an in-wall rotating bookshelf in the bathroom specifically for Carter and his bathroom reading needs. With a push of a button, or maybe a pull of a lever, the wall would open up revealing shelf upon shelf of books. The shelf would slide out from the wall so the “goer” could easily reach their book of choice and then slip back into the wall and remove from sight. After each use the books would be sprayed with a very fine mist of disinfectant, a spray specially designed not to damage the books. Yes, I have given this idea way more thought that I care to admit.
So if any of you have a couple million or two lying about collecting dust, or know of anybody that does, I can be trusted to put it to good use: whales, starvation, bathroom bookcase. And for the person who donates to this cause, I will be sure to stock the shelves with some of your favorite reading material, just in case you happen to be in the neighborhood and feel the need to use the loo.
Shoes On The Wrong Feet 
My youngest used to ask for a ‘story’ while he was on the potty…and then he would ask questions to extend the tale. This would not just happen at home of course – restaurants, a rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike..and I’d be asking him “Paul, are you even trying to go?” He would scrunch up his face and let out a forced “y-e-e-s-s, but you better go on with the story”…sigh..I wonder if it’s a male-thing? 🙂
I think you might be right about it being a male thing. I think if I started telling him stories while he sat he would never get off the pot! 🙂
Lol…
I’ll have to propose the bookshelf idea to one of my mechanical engineering professors as a project for future students. Then maybe you can get it for free 😉
Hehehe, sounds like a great idea. Carter can do quality control on them until they get the design just to his liking. 🙂
My son will play on my iPhone. Im not sure if that helps him go… or distracts the focus of trying to go.. We havn’t tried books on the potty yet!
I don’t let Carter use my phone to play on unless I am right there with him as I fear he may end up buying random apps or downloading strange things. As you can tell, the books are a big hit for potty time.
I have my app purchases password protected for just that reason! 🙂
Sorry – I just donated somewhere else. It’s cool that he loves reading so much.
I hope it was to a good cause! 🙂 Both boys love reading and can sit and read with me for hours (I started reading to them shortly after they were born hoping to pass on my love of books.) Most of their independent reading is done during their potty breaks.
My wife started early with our children. It also has paid off in a love of reading. I am thrilled about it. I posted about it a while back. If you want to check it out, here is the link: http://memyselfandkids.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/for-the-love-of-reading/
I will know tomorrow if I have won the lottery – if so, you will be the first to know
I am on the edge of my seat waiting to hear back. Hope it is a big one! 🙂
sorry the lottery is for Friday –so we have a few days to wait
I’m so jealous! I want a book nook (and a book butler)!
Me too! Carter is either very lucky or very spoiled, I can’t decide which.
iPad is our book butler / entertainer for long potty sits. Pre-iPad days, I served the book butler role. The long potty sits are much rarer now thanks to fiber gummies and a post dinner potty routine.
Fiber gummies – I will have to look into that for Cody. I think Carter’s long sits are more related to enjoying his quiet reading time (and the fact that I bring him books when he asks.) He might be a little drunk on his power to order around his own personal book butler. We do not have an iPad so have to stick with good ole’ books.
How lucky Carter is 🙂
I wish I had a book butler too. . .
Lovely post.
Thanks! I think he enjoys having me as his book butler just a little too much. I don’t want to discourage him from using the bathroom nor from reading so I let myself be ordered around up to a point.
I never encouraged book reading on the potty, with only one bathroom all were encouraged to go in, get it done and get out. 🙂 Your bookshelf sounds divine. 🙂
My childhood home only had one bathroom so there was no bathroom reading. We are lucky to have two bathrooms in our house, a small one off the master bedroom and the boy’s bathroom which doubles as the guest bathroom. Poor guests…