Hey guys!
Fun
fact of the day: a newborn pees about every 20 minutes while a 6-month toddler
pees roughly every hour. (http://facts.randomhistory.com/baby-facts.html)
You
may be wondering why I have chosen to talk about babies and peeing - wonder no
more: I felt like it!
Having
recently come back to Puerto Rico, I have been asked to help out with a baby
and an elderly woman. The age gap allows for a pretty obvious contrast, however
it surprised me how similar they can also be.
For
example they both pee – A LOT. But Frances! Not everyone is the same! True… I
guess I really shouldn’t generalize seeing as I have only two subjects to base
this on. But then again, I guess I can say I will only base this post on these
two subjects – problem solved!
Now
where was I again? Oh yes, peeing.
I
find it fascinating (I’m weird I know) how pee and babies relate. Like, how can
they be completely comfortable peeing in a diaper while walking? Or how can
they pee in front of anyone and everyone? Or how come they don’t care if it
stinks, stains or leaks at all? Honestly, there are no fudges given
by babies when they pee. None whatsoever – and don’t even get me started on
pooping.
On
the other hand, the elderly (and even adults) see peeing as a social torture.
Why do I have to pee again? Didn’t I just pee an hour ago? What will my friends
think if I say I have to go to the restroom again? Omg... they want to come
with me, but like, what if it stinks? And that’s only when you can do it by
yourself- imagine having people help you do something you have been able to do
for years! It’s embarrassing.
Wait!
Hear me out.
I’m
not saying that needing help is embarrassing but, as a person who has been in
that situation before, the experience makes you feel weak, incapable and
shameful.
But,
why?
I’m
not really certified to give a professional opinion, so instead, I am just
going to give a personal opinion.
Somewhere
along the way someone (I don’t know who but it sure wasn’t Peter Pan) told us
to grow up and fend for ourselves. There was no manual or guide to help us,
there was just a curt “grow up” command. So we did. We learned to walk, run,
dance, get money, pay bills, find a mate, grow a family, and build a legacy.
Then we forgot about how at some point in our life we would be caught in what I
like to call the “Benjamin Button Effect.” This well-known phenomenon consists
of feeling/becoming a child again (be it physically, emotionally,
psychologically or socially). Our society often associates children with
dependence, thus when we feel/become dependent on others we feel like children.
Simple, right?
This
explains why the elderly woman feels ashamed to tell me she needs to pee.
This
explains why she refuses to let me help her clean up.
This
explains why she looks away when it becomes inevitable for her to do it on her
own and needs to ask for my help.
But
the thing is that I don’t find it shameful or weak at all. In fact, I’m happy
to do it because: 1. It is natural for our bodies to release waste, 2. I’ve
been in that situation before, 3. She did it for me when I needed it and 4. She
is my grandma and I love her very much.
Yeah,
I’m obviously not going to lie and say it has all been peachy and rosy, but
helping my nephew and my grandma has taught me that we all need help at some
point. Maybe we won’t become dependent again or maybe we do, but that is ok. It
doesn’t make us children – it makes us human.
So,
remember! If babies don’t give a fudge – why should you? If you need to pee 24
times a day: be a baby and *Shia’s voice* Just Do It! If you need
help peeing or doing anything else you have been able to do by yourself for
years but are too afraid to ask: be a baby and *Shia’s voice* Just Do
It!
Lol
worst comes to worst, if you need help, just know I'm right here :)
zozo
Frances aka Fez aka Su Majestad
[Photo by License CC. Some Rights Reserved]
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