The original title of my post was "Potty Training is a Crappy Experience." Actually, substitute crappy with an even more vulgar word, and you've got my original title. Moms are notorious for talking about their kid's poop troubles, achievements, and abnormalities to anyone on the street. It can be annoying. I even get annoyed with it, and I am a mom!
But this post is not technically about poop. It's about potty training, a related but completely different topic. Potty training can really get a mom down. It's one of those things like thumb-sucking, or bed-wetting that you know has to end eventually. I mean, kids don't go off to college still sucking their thumbs. But you just don't have any idea in the world how it is going to change because all of your efforts so far amount to nothing but frustration. This is where being the mom of three comes in handy. I've been down this road many times before. Every time I feel there is an insurmountable problem in front of me...something my child will never learn or outgrow...it somehow works itself out without too much trauma. And worry has never helped it resolve any faster. So after beating my head against the wall, tearing my clothes, and sprinkling ashes on my head over Nate's inability to use the toilet instead of his pull-up, I finally calmed down about it. I decided to put him in real underwear every minute of every day and just clean up the accidents, even if it killed me.
The first four days were torturous. I spent a lot of time rinsing out underwear in the toilet. Not my favorite job in the world. I had to do laundry every other second to keep up with the massive demand for clean underwear and pants. I felt like giving up. But I knew he was so close to figuring it out that I had to keep going.
Suddenly on the fifth day, he sprang from the couch, announced he had to go potty, ran into the bathroom, and proceeded to complete the entire process- hand-washing and all- all by himself.
That was a week ago. Since then he has had only two accidents.
Yet again, a monstrous problem has worked itself out before my very eyes. The same time as this potty-training problem, I was also having a problem about weaning Lucas. It seemed like it would never happen. He was too interested in nursing, not drinking enough regular milk, etc. Suddenly, he weaned. He hasn't nursed in 2 days. I'm not even sure how it happened. I thought it was going to be an awful drawn-out ordeal. Nope.
So, I am reminded again that time takes care of these little milestones for us and our children. We may put forth a little effort, but really it is going to work itself out, sometimes even in spite of our efforts. So technically, this post isn't about potty-training. It's about worry-free parenting. It's about refusing to obsess over every new little problem that presents itself as your child grows and meets new challenges. It's going to work out, trust me.
5 comments:
I totally relate to what you are saying. I thought weaning would be awful as well - as everyone knows K was addicted. But it was easy! Then moving her to the big girl bed I thought would be stressful but it has been pretty easy as well - we may miss a nap here and there but she will sleep if she is tired enough. I pray Potty Training will work out as easily as well. I guess we will find out this summer.
That's a valuable lesson to learn, I think. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Becky.
When I lived in Idaho about 25 years ago there was a lady who had two children that she potty trained at the age of 9 months and 11 months. Don't know how she did it, but know it's true because I had them in the nursery with no diapers!! Of course I don't remember them every having to "go" where I remember how they would have told me at that age?? I think she just had them frequent the toilet if I remember it right.
I will need all of your helpful hints when we get to that point with JD! I hear potty training with boys is just a mess! Congrats on making it through with Nate!
I am a big fan of the "no diapers/pullups" during potty training. (They are ok for long trips, overnight.... but not while at home for sure). As long as they have that "net of security" it seems to be harder to fully migrate to the potty. The hardest part is the know when/what age to pull out the "net." Congrats on Nate! I know that feels so good as a mom!
Post a Comment