tips and tricks

The Pottytraining Finale: I’m Pooped

We did it! We did it!

I think it’s Dora who chants that line at the end of her show, isn’t it?

Anyhow, here we sit at the end of a marathon potty training endeavor, and I think we have actually done it. Or CJ did it, anyway.

So, for posterity, here are the LESSONS I LEARNED along the way:

1. The child has to be ready.
It doesn’t matter how ready YOU are- you’re already potty trained (I hope). Key signs of being ready include:

• Regular BM’s at the same time each day
• An interest in the toilet
• Awareness of when he’s gone, or ideally when he’s about to go
• He doesn’t like having a dirty diaper, and asks you to change it.
• He is coordinated enough to do things like: pull his pants up and down.

2. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the bathroom. And then to spend some more time there.
What I didn’t expect, wasn’t prepared for, and probably the reason our previous attempts failed miserably, is that you end up spending a LOT of time sitting in the bathroom. He didn’t know how to do it, so it was a matter of waiting for it to happen (like watching for the pot to boil, if you know what I’m saying). With that in mind, here are some tips:

• Have books to read in the bathroom (what man doesn’t like a good read on the john?!) Toy catalogs work really well too.
• Reserve special toys that are only to be played with while on the toilet.
• If you’re the kind of person who would rather do something than sit in the bathroom for extended periods of time, OR if your child wants privacy, consider getting a mini DVD player (you can get them for just $100) and letting them watch DVDs on the toilet. Worked like a dream for me!

3. Underwear are messy, but pull-ups don’t work
The first several times that we tried, we used pull-ups. Then someone told us that PULL-UPS DON’T WORK; you have to use underwear. So we tried that. But after 4 or so BM’s in the underwear we ran back to Pull-ups with open arms. It’s a no-win situation to be sure, but the simple fact is, Pull-ups don’t work. I’ve been there, got the T-shirt. They’re too comfortable, too easy… the reasons that YOU like them are the same reasons why kids want to keep wearing them. So, make sure you’re in a mentally stable state of mind and then COMMIT… underwear and only underwear, no matter what. It’s a little like wedding vows… through thick and thin, dry and wet… (that’s not what they say, is it? Oh well it’s been almost 10 years since I said mine…)

4. Repeat after me: “My child is unique.”
Seriously. It’s easy to get disheartened by your neighbor’s story of her 2-year old who potty trained in a day. But every child is different. If this is your child’s battle, so be it. Your neighbor will probably end up with a kid on parole (or so you can tell yourself in the more depressing moments). What worked for that other kid (or my kid) might not work for your kid. You just have to keep trying until something sticks.

Good luck! (you’re going to need it)

Related resources that I found helpful:
- Potty Training Tips (website)
- Baby Center: Toilet Training Preparation (website)
- Potty Training articles on About.com
- Dr. Greene on potty training (website)
- Potty Training topics on Keepkidshealthy.com
- Everyone Poops (children’s book; very graphic but informative)
- Sam’s Potty (children’s book)

The whole series:
1. The Potty Training Blues
2. The Potty Training Initiative: Transformerations
3. The Potty Training Saga: Constipation Nation

Yesterday, after popping out a big one, CJ said to me, “I’m a good pooper, aren’t I mom?” Yes you are. And some day those words WILL be used against you (evil laugh).