Potty Training Tuesday #13

The Beginning

Liam has finally started to show and interest in potty training.  Suddenly, about two weeks ago, he asked to sit on the potty at daycare AND actually wanted to sit!  Before this, he refused to sit on the potty.  He talked about it, said he wanted to, but when it came down to it, he refused.  But this time, he actually wanted to try.  And it continued all week.

On the weekend, we got out the potty at home.  He sat on it, playing with a spray bottle, a hair brush and brushing his teeth for a LONG time, probably close to 20 minutes!

And when he got up, the potty was full of PEE!!!!!!  We'd had our first success!  

And he was not happy about it!  He was quite upset that the potty was full of "eww!"  And even more upset that I didn't have a race car sticker to give him.  (Totally mommy fail, I know!)  So, I broke one of my own rules and gave him a lollipop!

Monday at daycare, after nap, he sat on the potty and peed again!!!

And again, he was not happy about!  He was throughly disgusted (and cried) that the potty was full of "eww!"

It's been a week now, since our two successful potty times and we haven't had anymore.  Liam does often sit on the potty at home and at daycare, but hasn't put anymore "eww" in it yet.  

He has learned (most of the time) that his penis need to be pointed into the potty.  He calls it his peenie.  And makes sure to tell all the other kids at daycare who are sitting on the potty (girls included) to put their "peenies in the poddy".

I am very please that Liam is starting to show an interest in potty training and that he has had a little bit of success.  But I am finding it harder than expected to follow my own potty training suggestions.

I am not being anywhere near as consistent as I should be with getting him to sit on the potty when we are at home.  

I am having a very hard time not insisting that he sit on it when he is resistant.

It is amazing how much harder it is when it is your own child.  And it is making me realize that I need to be a little more understanding of daycare parents.  I often push parents (politely of course!) to be more consistent at home.  I am now realizing just how difficult that can be with everything else that needs to be done after coming home from work.  I will continue to suggest consistency at home but will try to be more understanding of the people who just can't do it.

Liam has also reminded me that you NEVER, no matter how many kids you've had a hand in potty training, know what to expect.  in over 12 years of toddlers and potty training, I have NEVER had a child cry when they pee in the potty because it is "eww!"

Stay tuned for more tips, tricks and advice every Tuesday!  And please do share your own experiences!  I am always looking for ways to make potty training easier for myself, not only at work, but also at home as I will soon be jumping in head first to potty train Liam!

Potty Training Tuesday # 12

Taking A Break - Knowing When To Take a Potty Training Break

There often comes a point in the potty training journey where a parent or caregiver has to decide if it is worth while to continue full out potty training or if they need to step back and take a break.  

Taking a break is not a sign of failure on anyone's part.  It is just simply pausing until your child is really ready.

Just because your child has displayed the initial signs of readiness, doesn't mean that they are 100% ready to be potty trained.  

Here are some signs that it may be best for you and your child to take a break from potty training:

-You child is having very little of no success on the potty.

-He or she gets very upset by accidents

-Your child has become scared of the potty.

-He or she is showing a decreased interest.

Your child is completely oblivious to accidents.

Taking a break is not quitting or giving up.  It may be frustrating to have to take a break, but it is very common.  Many kids make numerous attempts before they really get it.

You don't necessarily need to quit completely to take a break.  You can still encourage your child to sit on the potty when you are changing their diaper and to tell you when they have to pee.  This lets the child know that even though you have taken a step backwards from underwear back to diapers, potty training is still a priority while eliminating the mess and stress of frequent accidents.

If you are taking a break due to decreased interest, you need to use your break to build up your child's interest again.  Talk about friends and family who use the potty.  Talk about wearing big boy/girl underwear.  Model using the toilet.  Anything you can think of that might boost their interest without causing a lot of pressure is good.

If you child has become afraid of the potty, take a few days to try and eliminate this fear.  Have the potty somewhere that it is visible more often.  Encourage them to sit on it, even with their clothes on.  If their fear seems to lessen with this, try to keep on potty training, if not, it is time to take a break.  Pushing a child to do something that they are afraid of can be very traumatizing.

When to start again?

Knowing when it is a good time to start again is much the same as deciding to start in the first place.  Watch for signs and take it step by step again - sitting on the potty regularly but still wearing diapers; wearing underwear/taking your child to the potty often to develop a routine and pattern; to finally having your child ask to go potty and eventually go on their own

Potty training is always more successful when it is done at the child's pace and comfort level, not yours!

Stay tuned for more tips, tricks and advice every Tuesday!  And please do share your own experiences!  I am always looking for ways to make potty training easier for myself, not only at work, but also at home as I will soon be jumping in head first to potty train Liam!

Good-Bye February . . . Hello March!

There is no question in my mind, I do not enjoy the month of February.  It is cold, it is dark, it is dreary, it is wintery, it brings the anniversary of my grandfather's death.

Sure, it has Valentine's Day, but that doesn't do much for me and never really has.  Family day is a nice added touch, but not enough to make up for all of February's shortcomings.  And don't even get me started on the silliness that is Groundhog's Day.

And what makes it even worse, is that despite it being the shortest month,  February always feels like the longest.  I find myself counting the days until March arrives.

March . . . warmer temperatures, melting snow, sunshine, longer days, the excited anticipation of spring.

But this year, I have to say, WOW!  Where did February go?  It seemed flash by in the blink of an eye.  It was over so fast I almost didn't have time to start despising it.  And I hardly got to complain about it!

Not sure why it went so fast.

We had Liam's birthday party on February 5th.

The dog and cat had a scramble and the cat ended up with a broken leg and jaw during the Family Day long weekend.

This past Sunday we went to the Museum of Science and Tech for the afternoon.

Other than that, we went to work, went grocery shopping on Fridays and spent the weekends hibernating, wishing winter would take a hike.

And now, February is done, history, finished.  March is here.  The end of winter is finally in sight.  We will have survived another cold, snow-filled season and soon we will be BBQing, camping and gardening instead of hibernating.