Monday, March 21, 2011
The Right Time...
The day came on Friday where we just had to get serious about potty training J. This was probably our third attempt. The second attempt was right at age 3. He was doing ok, but his acid reflux came back during that time, and we fell into the trap of using Pull-ups. So, on Friday, we gave up a playground playdate to really focus on using the potty and solely wearing big boy underwear. I also decided to be even more laid back about the whole training process, and I would be persistent as long as it took for him to get the hang of it. Still, I dreaded the day and felt like I had waited too long, because he was now showing more resistance to the whole potty idea. I knew this was a milestone that may not come easily, though he has always transitioned well to most other things that we thought he wouldn't do so well. Apparently, this was the "right" time, because it has been a success for the most part. The first morning of training, he had a few accidents, but by lunchtime, he understood my expectations, and he had been successful. The potty sang for him, he got my praise, received a few M&Ms, and got to help empty the potty, which he thought was a really big deal! I had read a lot about potty training, but what worked for us was just 1.) going straight into big boy underwear 2.) checking periodically with him to be sure he was dry & rewarding him 3.) taking potty breaks often but not requiring him to sit there forever. 4.) When accidents occurred, showing him multiple times where we was suppossed to potty. 4.) Finding rewards that worked for my boy, specifically. I also kept a log of "dry checks", potty breaks, fluid intake, accidents, etc. This helped me see a pattern. Now, with that being said, I still have to say that I have the kind of boy who does not want to stop playing to potty, so I just have to take him to the potty. He only tells me truthfully 25% of the time if he really has to potty and that is when I ask. We're still working on pooping in the potty...and, we still have some accidents and use Pull-ups during naps and bedtime.
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we have been potty training since October. I really think we might have started too early but I didn't want to go back after several weeks of trying. Jacob still does not tell us he has to go and we have BIG issues with #2. I too fell into the pull-up trap and am trying my best to not use them unless it is naptime or night time. We do try to use them when traveling to ARkansas just because of the distance but I think that has hurt us as well. Most days we have no problem with going potty unless it is to try to get him to sit for #2. I am praying that it will click one day and just happen. He no longer gets rewards for anything except for #2 and then it is a sticker and after 12 stickers he will get a package of 6 hot wheels cars. We have been on 5 stickers for 3 weeks now....ugh!!!! Praying you have a much easier time than we have had.
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