Our Next Big Adventure: Potty Training
In less than two months, my "little" guy, Jack, will turn 3 ... which means we're about to embark on our next big adventure ... potty training!
As you can imagine, being the editor of a parenting magazine I've read about the basics of potty training more than once <tiny bit of sarcasm>. You would think this means that I am more prepared than the average parent to potty train my own child. But that couldn't be further from the truth. To be completely honest ... I'm stressed about it already and we haven't even officially started! Reading the books and having head knowledge is one thing, but actually carrying it out correctly and effectively is another!
We've been talking it up for a few weeks with Jack and he's starting to show a glimmer of interest in the idea of using the big-boy potty. We even bought a potty chair this weekend to help him get used to it. He's very intrigued by the new addition to the bathroom. I am borrowing books and DVDs from friends to help engage him even more in the idea. We've even cultivated his love of M&Ms (not hard to do) in preparation for positive reinforcment! Everything is starting to indicate that he might finally be ready ... now if only I was as ready as he is!
I'm not sure why I'm not anxious to get started. I think part of me realizes that it is a HUGE milestone that officially marks the end of babyhood. As annoying (and expensive) as it is to change diapers, it is at least one way Jack still needs me. Once diapers are a thing of the past, he is one step closer to being independent. Next thing I know, he'll be moving out of the house (deep sigh)! OK ... maybe I'm being a bit overdramatic!
However, in reality, potty training is a big step ... one that should be celebrated! There's nothing left to do except to push aside the drama-queen thoughts and go for it!! I know it's a process that takes time ... but I'm hoping by the fall we'll have this potty-thing under our belts and be enjoying diaper-free freedom!
What potty-training tips do you have for me? What worked with your child? I'm all ears!
Comments (4)
Hi Jodi! I just tackled this with my daughter a month before she turned 3. The things that worked for us:
- introducing the potty super early and talking it up for a while before we went for it.
- making her go potty before bed and first thing in the morning for about 2-3 weeks before we actually trained her so she started to understand the idea of emptying her bladder.
- planning a big potty party weekend where we went cold turkey from diapers to underwear complete with prizes, a chart with stickers and a big family party on Sunday evening to celebrate her success. It was tough to be confined to the house for 3 days but it worked.
She only had 2 accidents post potty party weekend and we're going on two months! I think waiting until she was almost 3 was key.
I posted a blog with a complete overview of our plan. http://thepregnancycompanion.com/2011/04/11/potty-training-triumph/
Good luck!!
Posted on May 19, 2011 2:45 PM
Wow! This is awesome! Thank you so much, Jessica!
Posted on May 19, 2011 2:50 PM
Potty training to me was the pits, to be honest. We tried the "celebration weekend" mentioned above but that was not as successful for us (I had a boy though, like you, and rumor in the parenting world is that they are harder to work with). My first potty trained child, however, was just over 2 when we started, so that might have played a difference.
In all honesty, I found that the biggest key is just resources (books, movies) to help the child grab on to the idea and then time for it to be fully put into action. By the time my second child arrived, my first was potty trained, which was the ultimate goal.
Here is a blog post with some of the resources we used and found helpful: http://thevfiles.wordpress.com/2009/01/28/potty-talk/
Good Luck!!
Posted on May 19, 2011 3:33 PM
Jodi, we did basically the same thing with both of ours. We introduced the potty very early and just started talking about it. We would always sit on the potty after baths and almost everyday she would use it. We made those special times and celebrated. With our oldest she decided she was ready for big girl pants and we went straight to underwear with only 2 accidents.
The younger one was a little more challenging and after we had talked about it for a while, a long while, we decided to give a time when we were going to stop using diapers. She would use the potty too before bed and after baths. We talked about that day everyday and had her very excited so when it got down to it, we made the change. The weekend we made the change was a birthday party for a friend and she did very well. Had a few more accidents than her big sister (some of those were probably our fault for not going potty before getting in the car) but all in all no issues.
My biggest comment is to not make it a bad experience by making him feel pressured to do it. Always praise him for the tiny steps along the way and give him lots of hugs and kisses.
Posted on May 19, 2011 5:22 PM