Hiya! It’s been awhile, I know. But this weekend was definitely worth coming out from under my blogging rock I’ve been hiding under.
If you are one of my facebook friends, you may already know that I attempted potty training this weekend. It was sort of last week type decision. I originally was going to introduce it (we’ve already been talking about it for a while), but then late Friday I decided it was the perfect weekend to do the 3 day potty training lock down. I had a 3 day weekend with the labor day holiday. We had Tropical Storm Lee to keep us inside. And Nick was away for the LSU game in Dallas (GEAUX TIGERS!)
I had my stickers ready, candy stocked, 4 little potties cleaned, and my notes studied. The plan requires complete focus, dedication, patience, consistency, positive reinforcement and love. I was ready. It also requires watching the children very closely (like the only thing you will do) to 1)learn how they communicate their need to use the potty and 2)catch the start of any accidents so you can hurry to them to the potty to finish the job. According to the plan if followed properly, it will “click” with your child sometime by the end of day 3. Sounds great, right?
Before I go any further, let me just say that I consider everyday with my children a blessing. I REALLY do. It never gets old to me. Sure, I may have “grrrrr…” moments at times, but I try to have a positive attitude in most situations. Having said that, this weekend was probably in my top 5 for the most UNfun things I have ever done. Ha! So incredibly UNfun.
So. We started on Saturday. The kids were excited. I pumped the big boy and girl talk BIG time.
I didn’t get to take many pictures once the day began, but this one was definitely worth capturing. Rocco told me he had to poop. So we ran to the potty and we waited. He started to get up so I told him to put his underwear back on if he didn’t have to go. He said “no” and went and picked up some reading material and returned to his throne! Now, he didn’t really go, but I still thought it was funny!
Another highlight. My mom came over to fix us lunch so I could stay focused on them. We had the idea to go out on the front porch just to get some fresh air plus the weather, although rainy, was nice. The boys slowly made their way off the porch and into the rain. The fun ensued. They absolutely LOVED it. And to be honest, it was a much needed break for me. There probably was more than just rain falling on the sidewalk, but eh who could tell?
Back to the potty training. As the day progressed, there were accidents…to be expected. I stayed positive. They kept coming. The kids were fine when I hurried them to the potty. No crying but they just didn’t go on the potty. Although extremely exhausting, I think I could have done that for 3 days until it “clicked” with each of them. But my problem started when one would creep behind the couch or in the other room and do their business and I would miss the accident all together. It would happen so fast. OR I would catch one in the act and be tending to that kid and then the other one, two or even three would start and I would miss theirs. Are you picturing this? They totally ganged up on me! I was missing so many of the accidents. I made it half way through day 2 before I started waving my white baby wipe.
I need to regroup. Tweak my “plan” a little. Be more effective. Like keeping them confined to one room and definitely having Nick on board and available to help. Any other ideas from you potty training pros are welcomed. We will try again, but not this weekend
There have been lots of changes around here lately. We’ve moved into our new home (hence my blogging break), the kids are each sleeping in their own room for the first time ever, they start a mother’s day out program this week, so maybe we hold off a little on this potty training business. After all, no kid ever goes to kindergarten in diapers, right? But as for Mother’s Day Out, diapers we wear!
Paula will be eternally grateful to you for sending them in diapers:) Hope they have a wonderful week at MDO! Hope you have a great week too!!!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, mama (well, at least 3/4 of it!) We tried the 3 day method when the boys were a month shy of their 3rd birthday. HUGE fail. They just weren't ready. I gave up at the end of day 2. But a couple of months later, they were ready, and it was SO easy. So just be patient. You will miss diapers (but not the expense) one day!
ReplyDeleteAll 4 of my children were trained by age two and a half...although I can't imagine training 4 at once! I think my "secret" was letting them go COMPLETELY naked for at least a week at home. I really think they need to NOT feel underwear or pullups on their body in order to "get it." When they actually see the urine coming out during an "accident" as opposed to their underwear soaking it up, it somehow clicks!
ReplyDeleteI found it so stressful to catch someone going when I was watching multiple bottoms, too! That's why we ended up giving up on trying to train more than one at a time ... I know most people think I'm crazy, but it's so much easier to focus on one little bottom and not two, three, or four! We are waiting on Isaac since he has some communication delays, but the other three have been trained for months. No harm in giving it a month or two and then trying again! And yes, definitely try it again when your husband can be there to help!!
ReplyDeleteI only have one little one, but we stayed only in the kitchen and we baked a lot...the poor neighbors kept telling me they were going to get fluffy. Good luck, and maybe do two at a time. My sister in-law just did her twins with the three day.
ReplyDeleteSeriously....it's time to blog!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kami!
ReplyDeleteI am the grandmother who has really MISSED seeing the cute things they are up to.
Sandy