Thursday, April 4, 2013

On Again, Off Again-Potty Training Update

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that last week was the week. The week we jumped on the potty train, in BHG vernacular.

Since I wrote a definitive potty training post a while back, sharing all my wisdom (snort), I figured I give you an idea of what potty training actually looks like down in the trenches, with number four.
it looks like this...
Let me just say that a big reason I don't want any more kids is because of potty training. No joke. If I could get the potty trained version, you could put me down for a few more. Alas...

My philosophy is to start and stick with it. Go whole hog. Panties, candy, timer for 15 minutes. No other activities.

Sounds easy. My goal is to train them what the impulse to pee feels like, and then to take it to the toilet.

What potty training in the BHG household actually looks like is:

hours on the potty chair. (not all at once)

accidents within minutes of getting off the potty chair.

five or six pairs of wet panties and jeans-per day.

the potty chair shadowing me-in the bathroom, and the kitchen, the dining room and the living room.

triumphs-going on the potty, numerous times.

annoyance-standing up, next to the potty chair, and peeing on the floor. (this happened at least twice)

Potty training is F.R.U.S.T.R.A.T.I.N.G.

It takes the patience of Job and the fortitude of Abraham Lincoln.

It takes wisdom. Wisdom to know when to persist, and when to (temporarily) throw in the towel.

Meres is doing okay. She has went first thing in the morning on the toilet for most of the past 2 weeks. She has went throughout the day a few other times.

But she doesn't seem to be getting it. Not really. So, persist or desist?

I'm leaning rather hard towards desisting. Just for a month. Until May. It will be warmer outside. She will be wearing less clothing. And she will be just a tad bit older.

I'm thinking that tad bit may make all the difference. It did with Freckles. He wasn't ready. We were both pulling our hair out.

It pains me to give up. I'm tired of diapers. I'm tired of changing them. I'm tired of buying them. But, I (and my budget) can survive one more month.

My pride doesn't want to give up. I've written about potty training, you know?! Now, let's get with the program.

But, that doesn't matter to Meres. I need to listen to what her behavior is telling me. She will get it when she is ready. She isn't quite there yet.

I am going to put the chair away. I am going to put the panties away. I am going to put the uber tempting jar of M&Ms away.

And when the tulips bloom, and the trees bud, we'll try again.

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again...Caddie Woodlawn