Potty training in public places

Zachary has become very adept at going potty on the "big boy potty seat"; he's just taken to refusing to go at home, unless it is just before bathtime at night. I tell you this only to help you understand my newest dillema: public toilets. Specifically, Zachary is only interested in going to the bathroom if we're in public.

So, picture this: we're at Starbucks this morning. I'm halfway through my Pumpkin Latte, Zachary is chowing on his donut. A man passes our table and enters the men's room. Zachary jumps off his chair and shouts "Zarachary go POTTY!!" and runs to the bathroom. I grab my diaper bag and try to catch up with him quickly without knocking over our entire table and making a further scene.

So--as with every other public bathroom experience thus far--this is how the potty time goes: 1)take off the shoes, so I can 2) take off the pants, so I can 3) take off the diaper, so we can 4) put a toilet protector on the seat--at this point, Zachary, in just socks and a shirt, runs over to the garbage can, and sticks his hands right in--I catch him, then get him on the toilet. He goes, SCORE! Now, we have to do everything in reverse, without him running out into the store completely naked. My friend, Lil, has perfected putting diapers on her son while he stands...I, however, have not. Therefore, I hope and pray Zachary's diaper will stay on the rest of the time we are out and about; at least on enough to catch the inevitable...

This scene has played out in church, a funeral home, the library, and several other places. I look forward to the time when he is completely trained so it doesn't take 15 minutes to go to the bathroom. I don't understand his obsession with public toilets--I'm a little grossed out by them myself--but, we moms do what we have to do, right? Ahhh, the life of a mom!