A few days ago Jaixai, my 2 year-old daughter, said something that made me conscientious of what I say around her. Two year-olds are good at forcing self-reflection, as they will repeat nearly everything you say, even if you only say it once. In this particular case it made me reflect on how I view the impact my UC has on my family.
The statement Jaixai made: “Daddy, I have to go use the potty. I’m sorry.”
Like any recently toilet-trained child a trip to the washroom is always announced. However, I found it odd that she apologized. I first wondered if I had seemed inconvenienced when she went in the past. After some thought I realized that it was probably because I apologize myself anytime I have to use the washroom out in public (usually the reason for apology is because she has to join me). She was simply repeating what she had heard me often say.
In the past, when I was experiencing flares, I felt that I was inconveniencing my family due to frequent washroom visits (in some cases I was inconvenient - although my family has always been supportive). This is when the habit of apologizing for washroom visits developed and, regardless of frequency, the habit stuck.
Now that I am in control of my UC, it is not necessary for me to apologize any more than it is for Jaixai to apologize. I will now be more aware of my use of apologies; after all, I am human and must occasionally use the washroom.
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