Wednesday, April 20, 2011

adventures in potty training

"It's been said that adults spend the first two years of their children's lives trying to make them walk and talk, and the next sixteen years trying to get them to sit down and shut up.  It's the same way with potty training: Most adults spend the first few years of a child's life cheerfully discussing pee and poopies, and how important it is to learn to put your pee-pee and poo-poo in the potty like big people do. But once children have mastered the art of toilet training, they are immediately forbidden to ever talk about poop, pee, toilets and other bathroom-related subjects again. Such things are now considered rude and vulgar, and are no longer rewarded with praise and cookies and juice boxes. One day you're a superstar because you pooped in the toilet like a big boy, and the next day you're sitting in the principal's office because you said the word "poopy" in American History class (which, if you ask me, is the perfect place to say that word)."  
— Dav Pilkey (Captain Underpants And The Preposterous Plight Of The Purple Potty People)



Super Dude has been exposed to the potty for a while and he loves it.  He's not afraid of it (whew!) and thinks that flushing and washing his hands are the best things ever!  The few times he has been successful, we danced and we sang...and he just laughed.  Best. Entertainment. Ever!  His preschool teachers told us that he's exhibiting the signs of "readiness" (whatever that means) and they've been working with him consistently on potty training.  The problem is....mommy & daddy. We're not consistent because we are clueless.  And if he's only getting consistency 3 days a week when he's at school, he's going to be in diapers until he's in high school.  From what I remember of my high school days, it's not cool (that's probably not even a cool word anymore) to wear diapers. 

If you search for "potty training" books on Amazon, you get 869 books; search for "potty training" in baby products, you get 1,214 items. What's a clueless parent to do? Why, turn to the blog of course!

Now's your chance to share your tips and advice.  SPILL IT!  Give us the secrets, oh wise ones. We're not afraid of a little self-humiliation or bribery, so don't hold back.   And if you peepee on the potty, you can have an m&m...oh sorry... got side-tracked for a second.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Remember when you house trained Lucy? Consistency, perserverence and LOTS of patience!!!!!

Elizabeth said...

Honestly - it is consistency - when they are ready. Just like the NICU knew when he was ready - or you knew he was ready to let go and walk on his own - so you all are not clueless at all!

I found that with both a boy and a girl - when they were ready - go for the underwear - and be prepared for "axidents". It happens. Taking them 50 times a day - and eventually - usually in a week or two they "get it". Not to say that accidents will not happen later. When they happen - best they realize the consequences and not make a big deal of it.

Trust me - in a year - you all will be old pros ;)!

Ginny said...

My best advice is not to rush it -- our Ben, his Benjamin and Skylar were all a little over 3 years old when they got it. Skylar took a little longer on the poopoo part. Today's disposables are (thankfully) so comfortable and convenient there's less incentive to do something different. By this age they're only using a few a day anyway. He'll take to it when he's ready and the less drama and hoopla, the better -- IMHO.

Unknown said...

I don't have any tips but I will definitely be watching the comments! :)

I'm feeling outside pressure to toilet train Alina and I just don't think she's quite ready. I don't want to force it because (a) that seems mean and (b) it also sounds like more work for me.

Dale Budd said...

Taking him to the potty every 45mins. to an hour at first, to just get him into a routine, and hopefully a couple of lucky pee-pee's, might help. If he has a potty chair, that he can get on himself, could help also.I always let the faucet trinkle a little bit. Hearing the water sometimes gets great results, and once they are able to release, and feel themselves going, it can have a big impact. My girls were easy, but my son was over 3, before he was trained, and then it just happened, and he was trained day and overnight. They are all different, but Carter will not wear diapers to school, trust me!
Good luck with however you do it.
Love the picture, with him using the potty seat as a frame! He is just the cutest Dude!!!
Sending Hugs!
A Mom-Mom in NJ

Jen said...

Patience is the key. We've been at this since June and Sofie was just really ready in the last 3 months to ditch the pull-ups. One day we tossed em' and made the switch to big girl panties and she didn't have any accidents. But we had tried this a few times before and she just peed right through her underwear. Just have to wait until they decide they're ready to do it. We're still working on poopies!