Posted by Blanquis in 
I asked my coworkers that very question today while taking a poll.
When you’re the only girl, do you ask your boys to leave the toilet seat down? Common courtesy on their part is to leave it down so their mom won’t fall into it in the middle of the night!
My oldest son and I have debated over this issue.
He states that I’m outnumbered being the only girl, and I should make sure it’s up for them! yeah right!
He does have a point, to a certain extent, but I am the mom!
I have talked to him and told him that it’s about building good habits and that his future wife ( 25 years from now!) will thank me.
Raising boys has it challenges, one of them being the constant “why?” questions.
I’m not always as patient as I would like to be. I want to avoid resorting to the “because I said so!” answer, but sometimes I can’t help it.
“Our Kids are brats, but they’re our brats!”
My closest friend says this all the time.
Do you set yourself up for debates if you allow your children to question you?
I want them to be able to talk to me about anything at any given moment, but my patience is tested when my middle child asks, why he should pick up the toys at night, since he is playing with the toys first thing in the morning anyway.
( Smart, is he not? )
I anticipate great relationships with my sons, due to the fact that I welcome their questions.
They can ask away, at any given time, as long as they respect me and the people around them. Am I setting myself up for future debates?
If so, my attitude is…
“Bring It!”
Looking forward to the constant “thank yous” from my future daughter in laws.
if a man is the only man in the house, yes, he has to leave the toilet seat down. he is in the minority, and in this case majority rules. but if the woman is the only woman in the house, shouldn’t it be only fair that the men leave it up? why can’t women LOOK BEFORE THEY SIT!!!
The real issue is the fact that women have to sit down to pee. It’s not a common courtesy, its giving women a little something back because they have to suffer the cold seat for the rest of their lives.
But, you can be thankful that they do actually lift the seat. Almost worse than falling in the toilet is landing on a cold puddle of pee.
I think my mother trained me quite well on the subject. My education has baffled a (male) roommate or two – - but I can safely say every girl I have ever dated has appreciated my “model behavior.” The toilet seat down instructions have, of course, been passed down to my son.
Actually the best thing to do, is use the toilet at the full extent, and it means use the cover. That way everybody will have to uncover (and lift the seat if necessary).
It’s also the more hygienic way, and the cover is intended to be used. (it’s also a great way to avoid objects falling into the toilet).
Nice article.
Regards,
Blanquis,
My feeling on the toilet seat up or down is this. It should be left down as a courtesy to the female in the house. As far as a majority rule, I think that is bunk. As a man it is our job to be polite, use our manners and act like gentlemen. Period
KJ
Your raising smart young men. I wonder how are you going to help them understand the balance between treating women like fragile creatures that need protection and treating a woman as an equal with a brain that can accomplish as much as he can. Chivalry is a wonderful thing until you realize its chauvinism dressed up.
Jorge has it right. Seat down cover closed is the natural position of the toilet and technically, especially for the germ-a-phobes in the house, the lid should be closed before flushing. I read recently how far small mist flies from the toilet bowl upon flushing and it was an impressive distance.
Cover closed reasoning takes debate out of the he prefers/she prefers realm.
With 3 young boys in the house I might opt for Levi’s reasoning though. In the long run it maybe the kindest, most hygienic & chivalrous thing your boys can do for you in leaving the seat up and not peeing on it.