*WARNING: This is a really long blog for anyone who is planning on potty training in the near future, has already potty trained and totally gets it, or someone who will never have to potty train and just wants a good laugh (ie. LeAnn). DUE TO THE GRAPHIC NATURE OF THIS BLOG, VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
The out of control feeling I am getting is a big bundle of a lot of issues. I feel like this is worse than the beginning stages of having a baby on the move. At least when you have a baby who isn't walking, you can tie them down for periods at a time and not worry what they are doing (ie. swing, jumper, play pen, etc.). When a potty training child is tied down (ie. sitting in chair eating lunch, riding in the car seat, sleeping in bed) their pee and poop follow them where ever they are. This has created a very stressful and out of control feeling in my life. I feel like I have to be a mind reader and CONSTANTLY be watching Aubrey more than I ever have in her entire life. I have to always be available to drop whatever I am doing (at that moment) to help her go to the bathroom (even if I am separating and cutting raw chicken).
For the first few days (except the first day which was clearly a total fluke) Aubrey didn't tell me she had to go which meant I had to closely be watching for the potty signals and make sure I ask/take her every 15-20 minutes. My life was on a timer and I felt like I could get nothing done which made me feel completely out of control in my own home. I had no idea how long kids can hold it or how often they needed to go so sometimes I would completely forget she was wearing underwear only to realize she had already had an accident (if you know me well, you already know how bad I was at changing diapers in a timely fashion anyway, so I have completely had to retrain my brain from 2 years of hardly ever changing a diaper unless it was dirty). I feel like I can't keep anything clean (floors, carpet, outside, toilets, Aubrey's butt, clothes) because the minute I clean it, it gets messed up again.
Today is day 9 of potty training and Aubrey hasn't had an awake accident in 2 days and she has woken up dry in the morning 2 times and nap most days. I am so proud of her but…
HERE IS MY HONEST OPINION OF POTTY TRAINING: I envy those who still have kids in diapers, I would so rather waste money on diapers for the convenience of not ever having to worry about it, I would choose changing a poopie diaper over cleaning a poopie toilet any day, it was never a competition for me to get her ahead of other kids her age she was just showing signs of being ready, I don't see "how it will all be worth it" as everyone says and I don't see any positives for the end result. Having a potty trained child or potty training in general is inconvenient, time consuming and exhausting. Yes, the days get easier but sometimes I wish I could wear a diaper because I don't like stopping what I am doing to go to the bathroom nonetheless stop for my child. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND POTTY TRAINING UNLESS YOU ARE 100% READY AND YOU REALLY WANT IT FOR YOUR CHILD. I see nothing wrong with waiting until right before they enter school to start potty training…even just before kindergarten…yeah it may not be socially acceptable, but who cares! I wouldn't judge you, I would envy you!
Things I learned the hard way:
*Get everything set up ahead of time. Create potty stations, with everything your child needs to get the job done (ie. wipes and toilet paper at every station, trash can, bags, books, flashcards, etc.)
*Do not, for any reason, allow your potty training child to eat endless amounts of apricots from your tree over a three day period because on day four, you will regret it!
*Don't cheer for your child until after they completely finish their business because if you cheer too soon, they will get excited and not empty their bladder in turn requiring another trip to the bathroom only minutes later.
*Naked in the house- bad idea unless you love cleaning peed on carpet.
*When they say they need to go…they need to go NOW! No putting on your shoes first or finishing a phone call or watching the end of a show…it is NOW!
*Child-size toilet- bad and good…good because it is convenient for outside, but bad for day four after your child has eaten too many apricots…cleaning it completely grosses me out and I am on the verge of barfing every time I clean it.
*Protect them at sleep times with some sort of diaper or pull up and if they wake up dry for 2 weeks straight, then put them in underwear…unless of course you love changing the crib sheet and doing endless amounts of laundry while still having endless amounts of real laundry to do.
*Do not leave the house until they have gone potty- unless you like to strip down car seats and wash them and you love putting the covers back on the car seats.
*Do not have friends over to your house on day two of potty training and expect your child to tell you when they need to go.
*Once you start it, be consistent and continue with it until they have completed the process…Clear your calendar of events for at least a week straight and plan not to leave the house and go a little crazy.
IF SOMEONE CAN SHARE THE BENEFITS OF POTTY TRAINING BESIDES THE COST OF DIAPERS…PLEASE LET ME KNOW…I AM DYING TO HEAR IT!
My poor Emily! You have been working hard with Aubrey and you are pooped! I haven't had to go through the potty training process, but I know that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow will be within your reach soon. It's just like teaching (I imagine). The beginning is hard and you have to be consistent every single day, (even those days when you're tired). Sometimes you want to let down your guard, but you can't because the students need to know that you have expectations and you need to remain (that dreaded word) consistent. You're doing just that. All that consistency will pay off because just like your students at the end are well behaved, your daughter will also end up a well trained potty student. She is your first "student" and it was bound to be a little tough, but you are learning a lot along the way and before you know it, it'll all be over and she'll be 100% potty trained. Sure, it's been a tough 9 days, but 9 days or 10 or 15 or even 30 will be worth the time NOT having to change diapers. You're doing great Emily! The time will come when I will be envying YOU for not having to change a diaper:)
ReplyDeleteI laughed out loud when I read this!!! Too funny and so true! Diapers are way more convenient and potty training is not easy or fun. It is a pain in the butt! I think Sammy may go to kindergarten in diapers sometimes. I feel like he could care less if he is wet or poopy. At least Aubrey isn't as stubborn about potty training as my two-year-old :)
ReplyDeleteGood job cuz!! You'll look back on this experience and forget what a mess it was and remember how smart your child is to be potty trained at such a young age; a proud mama! Baby #2, maybe you'll have it down pat by then as well as a little help from their older sister. GOOD JOB AUB!!!!
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