Thursday, September 23, 2010

Potty training my toddler

Posted by Unknown at 7:51 AM

We had begun potty training Aurelia before she hit 2 years old. See, she was doing amazing at this younger age with potty training. At the time she wanted to be a big girl and was ready to GO! It was going so well, I couldn't imagine all these mommies and daddies complaining about having issues. I had ideas running through my mind of my baby genius and her eventual journey to  Dean's list at M.I.T.

It was going so smooth... until we moved.

Suddenly, she refused the potty. She was afraid of anything potty-like. I did some research and found out that moving at such an important time was just about the worst thing we could do. However, I had hope it would pass quickly once she felt like this new home was her home

All the younger kids in the family began to pass her by and rid themselves of diapers. She would get motivated by seeing a cousin using the potty, for a day or two. Then her smaller infant cousins would visit and she'd immediately revert. "No mommy, I'm a BABY, not a big girl!". It wasn't two steps forward, one step backwards. It was 2 steps forward, 10 steps backward then a tumble down the stairs in my mind.

Stubborn like her dad!



We tried numerous training diapers for motivation, new training potty's, potty training videos, massive amounts of encouragement and no complaining. Nothing worked. Eventually I sat back and enjoyed the ride. Family would ask why we hadn't potty trained her yet. It was followed by that look that rivals the looks given to child abusers and mass murderers. In there minds we were awful parents. I shrugged and told them to back off.

She'd let me know when she was ready.

Fast forward till after her third birthday (way after). One morning she says to me "Mommy, I have to go to potty". She was no longer comfortable using her diaper for two-sies. This went on for a few weeks, although she still wore diapers and had NO intention of peeing on the potty right away. I knew she was ready, and I also knew that pushing her could blow up in our faces.

My aunt-in-law and I went out and purchased her TONS of cute(read: expensive) underwear. Ones with special characters she likes, or designs and bows. We, as a family, made a HUGE deal about how cute they were. Aurelia got so excited about them, so excited she wanted to wear them right away.

Aurelia made it through the first week with only one or two accidents. She'd ask for a diaper sometimes and I'd offer her options. I'd bring down the most undesigned-lame looking diaper and a super designed pair of undies. "You pick" I'd say to her. Usually the underwear won, but not always. However, she was so happy about using the potty she'd rip off the diaper herself and use it. A week or so after that she was wearing underwear from wakeup until bedtime with no problems.

My father offered up some advice. He said to me soon she'll be asking to wear underwear to bed, let her. Let her take the reigns and run with them - so to speak. He was right, she was ready! That night she asked to wear undies to bed, and so I let her. We woke up nice and dry in the morning. I was so happy, I went to high-five her and she gave me a weird look, and kept walking.

At that moment, I knew she was thinking 'are you crazy mom, it's what I'm supposed to be doing'.

We have been diaper free and accident free 24/7 for a week now.

14 comments:

Unknown on September 24, 2010 at 9:28 AM said...

Glad everything is working out :)

Judy Joyce on September 24, 2010 at 10:08 AM said...

I'm having the hardest time with mine and she's 3!

Following from Mom Bloggers Club at http://healthbeautychildrenandfamily.com

Ruthie J. on September 24, 2010 at 10:44 AM said...

Not having an easy time with my almost 3 y.o. either!

Following from MBC at http://www.myhomeschoollife.com

Lisa C. on September 24, 2010 at 8:11 PM said...

woot woot... We had the same issue with our girls.. the move 2 months ago has set us back not only on the potty training, but the night time routine too.. lol.. We had they completely potty trained no problem by the time they were both 26 months.. /sigh/ and all of a sudden.. hahahaha

I am your newest follower….. We hope you have a great weekend...

Lisa C. @ Mommying On The Fly

http://mommyingonthefly.blogspot.com/

Dirt On The Rocks on September 25, 2010 at 1:03 AM said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
abby on September 25, 2010 at 1:04 AM said...

That was a nice story and a pretty hard stage to try potty training. I actually am nowhere near that stage with my son yet, and I'll definitely keep that in mine when I start training him. Although, I'm glad your darling daughter finally got the hang of it. I suppose patience really is just the key :) No worries you're a good mommy and I'm sure there are a lot of parents out there struggling far worst with the potty training. Keep it up mom!

Unknown on September 25, 2010 at 6:22 AM said...

Youthful Tips & My Homeschool Life,
People kept offering me all sorts of advice. I feel the compelling need to share it but NONE of it worked except just relaxing about the whole issue. It took a lot longer than expected however, she didn't really get into the swing of things until she was a few months after her 3rd birthday.

Abby,
We started before two because she wanted to. The move, however, was really last minute and un-expected. I probably wouldn't have encouraged her so much. What was worse, is I totally told EVERYONE how awesome she was for potty training before her 2nd birthday. That sort of backfired.


Lauren

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm following you back! My son is 2 and everyone keeps telling me he HAS to be potty trained now! Yea....not so much! He'll do it when he's ready! :)

Unknown on September 25, 2010 at 7:54 AM said...

Kim,
I guess being a mom is all about unsolicited advice. :)
Once they're ready, they're ready

Tena on September 25, 2010 at 10:50 AM said...

best of luck! My son is 3 1/2 and talk about stubborn, still won't potty train. Better to wait till they are ready than fight them on it is my motto. It would be nice if he could figure it out since we have a new baby that should make his arrival in about 7 weeks.

Hope your having an awesome weekend. I am your newest follower

Dawn Lopez on September 25, 2010 at 12:18 PM said...

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Veronica Lee on September 26, 2010 at 9:41 PM said...

Best of Luck!!! Glad my days are over!!!

Hi! Stopping by from MBC. Great blog.
Have a nice day!

Natalie Charlotte Turner on September 28, 2010 at 8:38 AM said...

Wow the dress is beautiful! Such a shame it was so pricy! But no wander, look at it! :D
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Kate on September 28, 2010 at 9:07 PM said...

love reading about you and Pysiu!

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