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The Potty-capades, Part 2
I introduced the girls to the potty chair on Sunday morning. They were more than excited to sit on it off and on (and off and on and off and on) all day on Sunday, but I don’t think we had any actual output.
On Monday, Baby A had a small performance, which was met with much praise. Since the girls were all about flushing the potty (when we were using the potty ring), I decided their “reward” would be helping Mommy deposit the contents of the bowl into the big potty, still allowing them their beloved flush. That seemed to click, at least with Baby A, and we had a pretty good day.
Tuesday was quite grueling, but Baby A had a lot to show for herself. She had three very successful trips, one in the morning, one after lunch, and one before supper. She still used her diaper a little bit, but I would wager that more than half of her production for the day went into the potty.
So what was grueling about that???
Putting the potty seat in the kitchen, adjacent to the den, has alleviated some of our challenges. I can now have a good handle on both girls – the one on the potty and the one playing solo in the den.
But Baby A seems to have a preternatural gift…the ability to tee or poop a tiny amount at a time…which has added a new element to this adventure.
I am not kidding when I say that each of her three potty times lasted about 30 minutes. She would tee an ounce or two, and then want to empty the cup in the potty. At first I thought she was done, but she was adamant about sitting back down. She did this again and again and again, with pee and then with poop. I’m guessing we made no less than 12 or 15 trips between the potty chair and the bathroom per session. (I guiltlessly considered that my workout for the day.)
I’m hoping some of that will resolve itself as the novelty of the potty chair wears off, and/or I may look to tweak my process a bit.
I am so very appreciative of the advice, words of wisdom, and the encouragement from my post on Monday.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am reminded that this is all part of the fun…it won’t last forever…it has been done before and will be done again…and – in the words of Gloria – “I will survive…hey, hey!”
So, what’s the game plan?
I feel that Baby A is “ready”…or if she’s not ready, I’m not sure how to stop her from taking off her diaper and making a puddle on the floor (or smearing poop in her crib after nap, which may or may not have happened yesterday). While I reserve the right to change my mind in the next couple of days, my gut is to officially start training her this weekend.
I’m going to give both girls the next couple of days to continue to get accustomed to the potty chair, and maybe to hone the “dump and flush” procedure. I bought a jumbo-sized package of teeny-tiny panties, and Baby A and I are going into the trenches on Saturday morning.
Daddy will be home to lend a second set of hands – I expect to largely keep Baby B at bay, who I don’t think seems “ready” just yet.
I’m planning to stock the pantry with some reward chocolate (for me), and maybe get some of those Skinnygirl margaritas to try (for me, as well). I’m thinking take-out pizza one night, and maybe take-out sushi the next…after the girlies are in bed and I can relax for the day.
I’m setting myself up to go with the flow as best I can (no pun intended). This, too, shall pass! [So many wonderful word plays when it comes to potty speak…so little time!]
Stay tuned for the next exciting installment! :)
Ticker
8 comments:
I really hope this works. I am baffled as to how to tell a child to finish their business. Best of luck, you'll need it I'm sure!
You are hillarious! It would seem there are many potty puns :) Good luck!
Those Skinnygirl Margaritas are pretty delicious! They will go well with that delicious sushi and pizza :)
Good luck! Hope it goes well...I will take notes, if so!
P.S. Share those M&Ms with the girls...it just might work wonders!! : )
Yay for progress!!! I hope you have super luck this weekend! I am so totally jealous of the progress your girls have made, but very happy for you and them! :) I really wish there was a weekend bootcamp that I could drop my 2 off at. Wouldn't that be awesome to drop them off untrained Friday night and pick them up Sunday night trained!! Someone should totally start that business! :) Don't know how sanitized that place would be though with all the pee pee and poo poo flying around!!
I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for you! If you get A done this weekend can I please fly mine too you??? ;-) We can trade for a weekend! Wouldn't that be fun....think about it?!?! Just saying!
Have a great Thursday!
It sounds like you've got a good plan of attack. I didn't attempt to train both of mine at once, but found the one-at-a-time approach to be very doable (still exhausting, but doable). For us, talking matter of factly about the whole process seemed helpful to the kids. Buba was a withholder. He'd go a bit on the potty, and then hold the rest in, go a bit more, and hold the rest in. Talking to him about stilling and letting it all come out (just like the big kids and Mommy and Daddy do) was helpful.
Good luck with the training. Your plan sounds great and you've got a great attitude about it as well. The rewards (for yourself!) sound awesome too. Smart thinking! :o)
When my daughter started potty training, around 30 months old, she was going a tiny bit like every 30 minutes or so. It was exhausting, lol. Don't worry, it will get better! The novelty will wear off and they will gain better control. Brooke now usually goes 1-2 hours in between potty breaks and is finally to the point where I don't ever have to tell her to go (she just turned 3 last month). It was quite awhile before she didn't need reminders and then still she was having a few accidents a week. Now she very, very rarely has accidents. The last time was a couple weeks ago while she was eating dinner and didn't want to stop to go, lol. Potty training definitely involves a lot of stamina and patience!
the scary thing about your post is that your girls are only 6 months ahead of my two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and I am nowhere near ready for this stuff!
Sarah was about 2 years, 5 months when she was fully trained. She had been really resistant to the idea and then suddenly, it clicked and she was perfect within a week. Jacob took much longer - we started at the same time but it took several months longer. He also could make himself pee, even the tiniest bit, every.single.time. he went potty...but never stayed dry for any length of time then.
Adam's still totally against anything with the potty...so we wait!
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