Potty Training

Potty Training? Yes, POTTY TRAINING!!!! We have been in the midst of potty training for a week now and so far so good. This is like the 3rd time I have attempted to potty train Isaiah, but this is the 1st time I had a plan and stuck to it!!! After reading a great book "Potty Training in 3 Days," I knew we were both ready for the task ahead. When Isaiah woke up from his 4 hour nap last Wednesday with a dry pull-up, I knew he was ready! The first day went great. He was excited and going on the potty most of the day. By Sunday he hadn't pooped (even in his pants) since before his nap Wednesday!! We still have not conquered the pooping on the potty part YET, but peeing has gone pretty well! Earlier this week it was one accident after another, and I was ready to give up! Of course this is exactly what the book says will happen, then all of a sudden it clicks. (So far we haven't reached that full click, but we are almost there.) :) All in all, I am very impressed by Isaiah's efforts and attempts! Remember, he is not even 2 yet!!!! So, how did I do it?

1.) Make a plan before you even attempt to do it!
2.) Make sure you and your child are ready!
3.) Commit to staying home 3 days with your child (OK we didn't do this part perfectly, but oh well!)
4.) Get rid of the diapers and pull-up and DO NOT LOOK BACK (this part was huge for us, when Isaiah woke up, we told him the plan, he went and threw away his pull-up, was on board, and ready to go! Now, I'm cheap so I didn't trash the diapers like the book instructs (I do have another kid remember) but I did make a conscience effort to never put one back on him.
5.) Pick out a potty seat with your child. We already had one from the baby shower so we skipped this fun step, but I do recommend looking for one with a very high front scoop for little boys! :)
6.) Let your big kid pick out their new undies. Again, the book recommends no training undies either so they can feel the wetness on them, but we already had some and with doing constant laundry, we needed them frequently! Also, I found some at a garage sale this summer for 50 cents for a 3 pack, I thought it would be perfect for training, and so what if they are used!!
7.) Watch their signs and signals; for a few days, Isaiah would run up to me say mom, then run to the potty; then he denied having to go; now I know when he needs to and we run to the potty. In order to help you with this step, I recommend lost of juice!!! We usually don't do much straight juice, so this was a special treat for Isaiah. Once you have them figured out, you can go back to your normal drink routine.
8.) Praise, Praise, Praise!!! When they do go on the potty praise like crazy! We even used small rewards like m&m candies. (my cousins will be happy to know the m&m system is back, they want to be rewarded when they pee even though they are in their 20s!) The toughest part about all the praise, is not scolding when they have an accident! We (dare I say it) SPANK when a child is out of line, so remembering to talk through the accidents and praise him for trying to get to the potty was not easy!!!!
9.) Keep at it, as I said before, when you are ready to give up, don't they will get it!!! Yesterday was the 1st accident free day (other than poop, but we will get there)!
10.) Scream it out! WHAT!?!?!!? Yes, I have to admit that on our accident only day, I had to walk out of the bathroom (with Isaiah attempting to go on it) and head out for a loud scream at the top of my lungs!! Honestly, this is something I NEVER do (unless I am at a sporting event and the refs are terrible hehe) but it felt good! I was calmed down and ready to start over with my little pee pants boy!

In the end, this week will be quickly forgotten and all I will remember is how well he potty trained at such a young age! Besides, he just looks so much cuter in his big boy undies!!!