Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The dread of potty training

Do you remember the days of being potty trained? If so I'd love some help on what made it "click" for you! Six months ago B was super excited about all things related to the potty (exciting I know), she would tell me "potty potty mommy" and we'd run to the bathroom where she sat on the potty grinning at me simply because she was doing a "big" girl thing. Fast forward six months and she REFUSES to go anywhere near the bathroom except to walk in and interrupt anyone who might be in there. She hates diapers, doesn't want to put them on so I've resorted to letting her pick out big girl underwear. Her favorites so far are her Tinkerbell panties (she calls them "bell panties" not having picked up on the existence of another Disney character by that name) and everytime I put them on her I have to explain that you don't pee in the Bell panties (by the way, I detest the word panties and yet its amazing what you resort to when talking to a child) and if she pees in them she has to wear diapers. I swear to you not five minutes later she'll walk up me having peed in her underwear. Yes lovely I must tell you, thankfully its either been over the tile floor or a pillow we could wash, I'm dreading the day she does it when its not so pleasant to fix. Yes potty training is going just beautifully, the favorite part of raising a toddler... uh huh, I'm not crazy enough to actually believe that but if I start to discourage now I'll never make it through. My mom's peditrican once told her (when I was not doing so well with the potty training myself at the ripe ol' age of 2) that you never see a Kindergartner who isn't potty trained... Comforting thought right? Would you like to be changing diapers for the next 3 years??? Although diapers are much easier (lets face it, there's no running to the bathroom to make it in time, car drives are never a disaster and spare clothes don't have to be toted around) its the thought of never having to spend a fortune on disposable items and less mess I actually have to deal with daily. Everyone tells me she'll just figure it out one day, well I've never been one for being patient so this should be a great test of will here. Wish me luck and I fear this will not be the only time I discuss the joy of potty time. (Such a lovely and encouraging thought!)

4 comments:

  1. Personally I do not remember being potty trained, but I do indeed recall my Mom telling me about potty training me. I think it is normal for a child to take awhile to warm up and become comfortable to go potty without a diaper. My Mom said she used to bribe me to go potty by using M & M candies. She said when I did go potty in the toilet she would give me an M & M candy. I learned quickly because my Dad was a big "no candy" parent. He never had a candy much as a child and was just totally against me having candy because I guess he thought eating candy in general made children fat. So I thought candy was a huge treat. Anyways, I know potty training takes awhile, but just keep up repetition. That is what my Mom did and for me it did work. It sounds as if you daughter, B, might just be a little confused on where she needs to go or maybe she is scared of the bathroom. Bring in a favorite stuffed animal or something while she sits on the potty. My Mom used to ask me if I had to potty and if she thought I did, she would just sit me on the training potty for awhile. She said sometimes it would take hours. I guess you need patience when dealing with potty training. Your daughter, B, does sound really smart though, so who knows maybe she just wants to be her own person? I think if you practice with her enough and are patient and reward her, she will do what you need her to. If possible, try to make her think it is her idea.

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  2. I love your blog, it is such an interesting read! My parents also resorted to using small pieces of candy as a treat for using the "potty". Another idea I would definetly use is "Pull- Ups". They are made from diaper material so you dispose of them, but the toddler is able to easily take them off to use the bathroom. I still have memories of my little brother wearing pull-ups, because my parents would make him wear them to bed if he would not stop wetting the bed when in elementary school (my poor brother!) Just thank god you're not potty training a boy, I hear it's 10times worse!

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  3. Both great ideas... She loves M & M's more then anything and yet... it doesn't motivate her. Tried Pull Ups but to her their the same as a diaper. She LOVES to wear her Tinkerbell underwear which at least makes her aware when she's had an accident. This week has been full of complete temper tantrums in response to anything having to do with the bathroom. I've got her watching the Elmo Potty is Fun video which is hopefully going to get her more excited again (she watched it months ago when she was actually into potty training). I've heard people with children say that one day they just decide to do it... Crossing my fingers!!!!

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  4. Great blog, kudos. I can relate, as I had a taste of what parenthood is like helping raise my little brother and sister when I was a kid, and boy was that ever fun. (I also worked at the church "nursery" as a child and my first job was a daycare.) It was SO much fun in fact, that I may never have children.
    As for the potty thing, I don't remember anything in particular that helped the training along other than keeping a patience reserve on hand that is frequently replenished.
    Just be glad she's not crapping on the floor like the daycare kids did for me.

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