Ann,
I feel inclined to give a report of our potty training roller coaster.
We began training mid-June, 2 weeks before we were scheduled to leave for our Michigan vacation.
DAY 1: I was horrified. I had a plan but I also knew I had no clue what it actually meant. I was super nervous and couldn't even sleep the night before. I kept thinking if I did it wrong today--if I didn't properly explain how the doll pees in the potty--then I'd end up with tweens wearing diapers.
By end of day the kids really got it and I could tell were trying, but I was on edge the ENTIRE day, chasing stray poop and sponging up pee. (Did I mention we did naked training?) Oh, and teaching Hayden not to play in the potties.
DAY 3: Twin B was basically trained by this day, stopping to play so he could poop or pee in his potty. This went on for the next week and a half. He's a freak of nature.
DAY 4: Twin A was doing fine with random accidents, sometimes uninterested in going. Fine.
WEEK 2: Twin A is bored with process. Start bribing with chocolate chips. Works for a few hours and then he just stares at me blankly when I suggest we "Use! The! Potty! Because isn't it FUN?!"
BEGINNING of VACATION: Took off on our drive, 2 froggy potties perched in the trunk. Trained twin asked us to stop every 2 hours to pee, which he produced satisfactorily, turning the 6 1/2 hour trip into almost 9.
END of VACATION: Despite occupying an entire corner of my in-laws' living room with two potties (which were used regularly), somehow by the end of vacation neither boy was trained. We were secretly happy for less hassle and a quick trip home.
FIRST DAY BACK FROM VACATION: I tell the boys we are going back to using the potties tomorrow, okay?
SECOND, THIRD, FOURTH DAY BACK FROM VACATION: I tell the boys we are going back to using the potties tomorrow, okay?
FIFTH DAY BACK FROM VACATION: Boys take it upon themselves and start helping themselves to the bathroom and using the potties.
THREE WEEKS HOME FROM VACATION: As long as boys are completely naked they are trained. They stop what they're doing to do their business, but if they're wearing a pull-up, diaper or undies, they consider that a suitable receptacle.
So, we're pretty much exibitionists around here.
Jen
-------------------
Jen,
I have no words of wisdom about potty training. It's this terrible awful dread I have ever since Catina was born. Catina wasn't fully trained until she was 3 1/2. I will always remember the horrific moment on vacation with my family in New Hampshire when Catina pooped in the hotel kiddie pool. The pool had to be vacated and couldn't be used until the following day!
Potty training is a funny thing. June was asking to go potty around Easter and I was so excited because I thought maybe this time it'd be easier. I decided to dedicate a week to staying home and gave up after the first day. To this day if I mention going on the potty she screams "No chocolate!" like it's a horrible piece of poo being forced upon her to eat. Seriously?!
I like to go with the annoying saying "They won't go to kindergarten in diapers."
Ann
Terrifically entertaining!
ReplyDelete