Laura and Kaitlin were excitedly playing at the finger-painting station when Linda stood in the center of the room and clapped her hands loudly.
“All right, kiddos, time for potty breaks and diaper checks!” Linda and another daycare worker began to move around the room, checking on the various children and babies. Kaitlin looked over at Laura. She had been put in a short dress that didn’t hide her diaper whatsoever. Laura looked up from her painting.
“What?” she asked.
“You’ll need a change,” Kaitlin said. Laura crossed her arms.
“No. Me dry.”
“No. Your diaper’th yellow,” Kaitlin said. Laura looked down. Her jaw dropped.
“No feel.”
“You didn’t feel it when you we yourthelf?” Kaitlin asked. “Wow. You really are a baby.” Laura pouted. Linda came over to them.
“How are my new little caterpillars doing?” Linda asked.
“Laura peed,” Kaitlin said, smirking at Laura. Linda looked over.
“Yep! But she can wait a moment. How are you doing? Do you need me to take you to the potty?” Kaitlin was about to say no, when she abruptly realized that she actually did need to pee. She hadn’t noticed until Linda asked her.
“Yeth.”
“All right, let’s-” Linda cut herself off, looking at Laura again. Laura was still finger painting, but now letting out an occasional grunt. “Oh, hang on.” Laura grunted a few more times, then sighed. A putrid smell filled the air. “Sorry, Kaitlin, poopy diapers take priority. I’ll be right back after I change your sister.”
“I no poopy!” Laura said. She shifted how she was sitting. Her jaw dropped. “…I poopoo?” she whispered.
“You sure did, little stinker,” Linda said. Devastated that she had pooped without noticing, Laura let out a wail. “Aw, come here, mush tush, let’s get you cleaned up.” Linda scooped Laura up and took her over to the changing table. Kaitlin continued to sit where she was, squirming as the urge to pee grew stronger. She looked over at Linda. Laura was still bawling, despite Linda’s best attempts to calm her down. It might take a while.
Determined to not have to put on a new pair of pullups, Kaitlin jumped to her feet and rushed over to the bathroom she had changed in earlier. When she tried the handle, however, it was locked.
“Someone’s in here!” a voice shouted. Kaitlin whimpered. The loud crying from Laura had stopped. Linda reappeared by Kaitlin’s side.
“You really need to go, huh? Don’t worry, I’ll take you to the other bathroom,” Linda said. Kaitlin nodded eagerly. Linda grabbed her hand and rushed her over to a different door, near the cribs. As they passed the cribs, Kaitlin could see Laura sitting in one of them, sucking on a pacifier. Linda quickly opened the bathroom door.
At that second, Kaitlin’s control failed. Hearing a faint hiss, Linda looked over. Kaitlin hung her head in shame.
“Oh no, you didn’t make it?” she asked. Kaitlin shook her head. “Don’t worry, that’s why we have you wearing protection. Hop on the potty and try to go more, then we’ll put you in a fresh pair.”
After a few humiliating minutes, Kaitlin emerged from the bathroom. She looked around curiously. The lights were off in the main area of the daycare.
“What’th going on?” she asked Linda.
“It’s nap time, sweetie. Come on, let’s get you settled in, too.” Linda guided Kaitlin to an open area of carpet, where multiple children were already sleeping on mats. Kaitlin looked for Laura as they passed the cribs again, and spotted her, one of many toddlers and infants fast asleep. Linda indicated a sleeping mat that had been set out, and Kaitlin laid down.
She didn’t think she’d fall asleep at all, but she was out like a light.