It's been about 3 weeks since we began potty-training. And, shockingly enough, it's going quite well. Just know, that I am knocking on every piece of wood I can find as I type this because I don't want to jinx anything. It probably helps that I was prepared for and expecting the absolute worst, so I guess anything above that means it's going well in my book. I have to give Finn lots of credit--he has adapted pretty well to these major changes (for the most part). Diapers are history (even the night time diapers). We donated our leftover ones to the church. He wears underwear mostly, except to school and at night.
The first two weeks, it was all up to me. I probably asked him one million times a day (not an exaggeration) if he had to go to the potty. He always said no. Big shocker there. Around the 45 minute mark, I put him on the potty regardless. He always got a "potty treat" immediately after, even if he only tried. And let me say this, different strokes for different folks. Finn is a candy feign, through and through, so that is his major motivation. He just laughed at me when I offered him a sticker at first. I just have to keep changing it up with new, improved candy offerings. Although, by the time we are done, he will be one gigantic skittle. This past week, he has gotten pretty good at telling me when he has to go. A welcome change from the broken record I had become. We've had a couple of accidents here and there but no major ones (if you catch my drift). Then again, we only take short car rides and go places where there are a plethora of facilities, but hey, a win is a win!
Three weeks does not make me an expert, but I have noticed a few things about potty training that I will share with you now, mainly so that you can have a good laugh at our expense.
Lesson #1: Potty training is not for the faint of heart, mind (sight or smell)
I don't know why but for some reason, anything in a diaper is more manageable than anything outside of a diaper. I have literally been sick while cleaning out the potty bowl. Maybe because you have to be prepared at any given moment to make a run for it . . . and usually that moment comes when I have just sat down to eat something.
Lesson #2: There's no shame in his game
I will apologize in advance if you or anyone you know happen to unsuspectingly choose the bathroom stall next to us, especially when Finn has to poop(which was the case at the Air & Space museum). Some things you may or may not have heard include the following: "it's a hard poop mommy," "can you go outside mommy, this one stinks," "i need the water on to help me," "tell me a story," "mommy, do girl's pee out of their penis?" "it's stuck" and much, much more. Usually there is snickering next to us. Also, when he has to go, he has to go, so abandoning a cart of groceries or peeing outside at the playground is also a possibility.
Lesson #3: It's a team sport
In the beginning, we were spending a good amount of time just sitting on the potty, maybe something would happen and maybe not. But while he was sitting, he wanted entertainment. Sometimes I would read to him or tell him a story or bring toys to him, but mainly he wanted company. Which means anytime I went to the bathroom, he knew he had a captive audience and would drag his potty and books into the bathroom with me for a potty pow-wow.
I'm sure there are many more, but that's all that comes to mind right now. We still have a ways to go, but progress is progress. Our first big test will come in a few weeks when we travel to New Orleans to visit my parents. This may be TMI for you, dear readers, but since this blog basically serves as my baby book, I need something to look back on to help me remember. And no, I don't have pictures of him sitting on the potty (actually, I do, but I won't post them).
One of our potty stations, complete with entertainment
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