Potty Training Thoughts

When you decide to start potty training, there’s a plethora of information at your fingertips.  There are ebooks you can buy, pretty potty inserts, toddler toilets with bells and whistles, pull ups that have disappearing images or change temperature, cloth trainers, etc.  I think we’ve tried them all.  As we near potty training success, here’s my thoughts on what has or has not worked for us.

ebooks – You know all of the “Get Rich in a Week” books and tapes?  This is kind of like that.  “Potty train in only 3 days” screams at you when you go to the websites.  A friend of mine bought an ebook, let me look at it before I decided whether or not to make the investment.  Maybe if I was at home and had nothing to do but potty train, it may have worked.  If you have to work, clean, have other kids, etc, I’m not sure it’s worth it.

Elmo’s Potty Time – Very entertaining DVD, did nothing for our potty training efforts.  I still recommend getting this, simply because it has some good lessons in it.  One of the best is Grover talking about accidents.

Cloth Trainers – If you’re looking for them, they’re with the baby layette items, nowhere near the diapers.  They do hold in some of the accident, but you’re still going to have to clean up the toddler and the floor.  There are covers for them, but they can be hard to find.

Pull-ups – After debating myself on whether or not to attempt Pull-ups, I broke down and bought them.  I was set against them, they were another item on my “I’ll never” list.  I went so far as to buy the cool effect ones that were supposed to get cold when wet.  My justification for spending more money was that if they worked, we’d need to buy fewer packs, therefore making them a bargain.  I didn’t notice a difference.  The ones that had hearts that would disappear when wet helped me know when she had an accident but she certainly didn’t watch the hearts to see if they were still there.

Toilet insert vs. Toddler Potty – Being on this side of potty training, I’d say skip the fancy potty and get an insert.  After our sitter started having more success than we did, I looked in her bathroom.  She didn’t have a special potty, just an insert.  I was worried that it would be too big for Khaila, but she loves it!  She likes feeling like a big person.

Who’s Training Who?

It seems that my daughter has everyone in her life trained.  If we ask her, she will use the potty without fail.  We’ve even had days with no accidents.  Unfortunately, she won’t tell us when she has to go.  She’s really good at telling us as soon as she does it though!

Yes, I think it’s turning into adult training.  Once addicted to my morning cup of coffee, I now get up and race her into the bathroom.  Then, we become parrots, knowing that she won’t tell us.  I really hope we can get past this phase!

The Saga of the Potty

This week, Khaila did pretty well at Millie’s house.  Early in the week, she’d have one accident a day and then do fine.  Wednesday, she was with my mom.  Another excellent report, no accidents.  So WHY wouldn’t she go for me?  I was firmly convinced that she just doesn’t want to give up the control or something equally stubborn (after all, she is my child) and that she’d be wearing diapers at home until she goes to school.

This morning, I noticed something I’ve never seen before.  A dry diaper!  Yes, my little girl, my baby, woke up dry!  Knowing she would have to go, I took off her diaper and put her on the potty.  At first, she wasn’t sure about this.  We have a good routine going.  She gets up, comes in to our room where I’m usually watching the news, we turn on “Super Why” and cuddle.  Her routine doesn’t include a pit stop.

After about a minute, I heard the wonderful sound of a big girl!  Yes, my little girl started out the day with celebration.  She also got fruit snacks before breakfast.  Millie gives her a Tootsie Roll (must remember they’re for Khaila, NOT for me to eat) but I figured I’d try something a touch healthier at 7am!

I’m hoping we’ll continue this progress.  I almost feel bad for the run down that the hubby is going to get in the morning.  I want to make sure he knows EXACTLY what we’ve been doing to work with her so he can keep it up while I’m stuck slinging pizzas for 10 hours.

Attempting to Potty Train

It’s been over a week since we decided to give potty training a try.  K seems ready, everyone agrees that she seems ready.  When she goes, she tells someone immediately.  She has the process down to an art, telling you what to grab next.  For instance, if her backside is a bit raw, she can feel that and will tell you to get the cream.

The other thing she is, stubborn!  I know she can do it, she does it at the sitter’s house unless she’s having a particularly bull-headed day.  The sitter was amazed the first time she headed down the hall and announced that she had to go potty.  She even poops in the potty, which I’m told is usually the last thing kids want to do.   Up until today, she only had a couple of accidents.  Today, she was being a turkey, and didn’t use the potty once.

At home and at Nana’s, it’s a different story.  She’ll sit on the potty, but she won’t go.  It’s like she’ll hold it until she’s back in her pull-up or training pants and then go.  It’s beginning to frustrate me beyond belief because I know that she *can* do it, she just won’t!