Potty Training

So I think I have changed the last diaper of children I’ve given birth to (knock on wood).
Oliver started his potty training yesterday. Its not going too bad actually.
It started off rocky, but doesn’t it always? He wet his pants twice in a row. Then he stayed dry through his nap and let it loose after he woke up. He didn’t have any more accidents the rest of the night.
This morning he woke up dry. Ricardo tried to take him potty but he wouldn’t. He let loose all over a chair in the family room. Other than that he had no other pee accidents today. Pooping is another story…He went twice in his pants and it was diarrhea. How could you be mad at that? Hopefully he thought it was so disgusting that he’ll never want to do that again. We’ll see.
According to the Farmers Almanac I should have started on the 2nd of July or waited until the 19th. I’m hoping to prove it wrong.
I am glad to know that the bull out back that needs castrating can happen on the 21st.
It even tells you the dates to pickle vegetables or cut your hair.
Anyway, I hope the pooping thing goes better.
Here are some of my tips for potty training:
1. Go cold turkey. Pull ups feel like diapers, so they will treat them as such. I would use them at night. We call them “nigh nigh time undies.”
2. Rewards, rewards, rewards. Their wish is your command. I have a jar of M&M’s in the bathroom. He gets one just for trying. If he pees, he gets a few. At this point he can have the world for poop, but we’re negotiating with big marshmallows (I like to call them “baby crack”).
3. Speaking of rewards…There was nothing more rewarding for my children than making me proud. You have to play it up. When he finally does go, jump up and down, dance, scream, clap, etc. He will get the point!
4. Quantity, not quality. Forcing your child to sit on the toilet until something comes out will only make you and him frustrated. Sit your child on the toilet for a minute or two. Let him know its time to go potty. If nothing happens after those few minutes, take him off and try again in 5 or 10 minutes.
5. If he has an accident, put him on the toilet and let him know this is where we go potty. Never yell at your child for having an accident. Most children (Piper Ann is an exception. I wouldn’t let her change into multiple pairs of new underwear, so she peed in them. That way I had to change them.) don’t do it on purpose.
6. I don’t really have a preference for potty seats. The seat on the toilet has always worked best for me. We had a free standing potty seat, but they just thought it was a toy.

I could go on and on. I consider myself a pro at this point. If you need advice, feel free to ask.