Magic Pee

Yes, Shane is drawing in his toilet bowl.

And he is pumped about it.

I ventured into the wilds of a seemingly normal Virginia neighborhood to try and document this rare and extremely secretive ritual.

The toddler who is potty training is taught that their pee has magical properties. In the early stages, the tribal leader (hereby referred to as a "Nana") draws a symbol in the potty with a washable marker. The marker is reserved for this purpose and this purpose alone.

The toddler, excited by the imagery and newness of the experience, loses all hesitation to use the toilet.

There is much rejoicing when the image disappears under a stream of urine. Peeing has become fun.

Simple parents like myself have spit in toilets ("Pop the bubbles!") and dropped small, flush-able items like Cheerios before.

Magic Pee takes it to a new creative level!

Once a toddler is 'indoctrinated' they earn the right to doodle their own scribbles in the potty.

If done early enough, the toddler will have no recollection in adulthood that they used to enjoy making artwork in a commode.

My name is Mike and I used to draw in toilets. I did not know until my son followed in my footsteps.

Nana specializes in trying to make little kids eager to do what she wants instead of fighting it.