Stop. It’s Potty Time?
Swee’Pea, for some time now, has understood the concept of bathroom. She learned the sign for it and would announce “bafroom” while waving her little fist in the air any time we passed by one of the bathrooms in our house. Adding to this understanding, she has begun to tell us when she has gone “poo-poo” and will ask to have her diaper changed by saying “diaper” (while also using the sign). And last week, while reading a book with Mommy, she pointed to Charlie Brown sitting in a chair and said “Potty chair”. Clearly she learned this past part from her slightly older playmates at daycare. And, just as clearly, Swee’Pea is going to be ready for potty training in the not-so-distant future. The girl is ready.
But I’m not.
I know, I know! I should be happy to get the kid out of diapers! But really, what’s so bad about diapers? You don’t have to ask if the kid has to go to the bathroom ten times an hour. And when the stench is a clear indicator that your kid has indeed done his or her business, you lay the kid down, and you have a semi-still, prone target to wipe away the goods. You have these moist, diaper wipes that magically get rid of the mess and a new, fresh, disposable diaper to get us through the next few hours.
By contrast, I’m NOT looking forward to wiping a standing, clenching, moving little bottom (or, in my case, bottoms) with dry, porous toilet paper. Furthermore, I just know that clothes will be soiled, underwear will be ruined and my gag reflex will be tested once we move beyond the safe venue of a changing table and a box full of wipes. As far as I’m concerned, they can just stay in diapers until they can take care of all the details themselves. I mean, why get all excited just because a kid can “use the potty?” Heck, I’m not getting excited until they can wipe their own butt.
So, Swee’Pea can just hold on to that whole potty chair thing. It ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. Look at TheMonk! He’s perfectly content with the whole diaper arrangement – showing no interest at all in changing the status quo. And I’m perfectly fine with that.
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Grandmother suggests:
1. Seize the day, carpe diem etc…
2. Don’t keep a girl down
3. Don’t worry be happy
Comment by Grandmother — February 3, 2007 @ 6:34 pm
First off – I love Grandmother’s post. They always crack me up.
Second – Morgan showed great interest in potty around 23 months old. She even had a few successes! I was pleased – I was pumped – and then it evaporated. At 32 months, she potty-trained. The boy – well – he shows interest, but hasn’t got it all figured out yet.
And, trust me, after 4 trips to the Target bathroom in a span of 20 minutes today – diapers aren’t so bad!
Comment by Stacy — February 3, 2007 @ 9:46 pm
I hear ya! I am so not looking forward to potty training. My kids will tell me “poo poo” when they have gone, too. While I don’t really think they are ready for potty training, I’m not sure I’m willing to recognize when they are. Diapers don’t bother me a bit (except when I’m paying for them).
Comment by Amy — February 4, 2007 @ 11:19 am
Two words: Pull-Ups.
At Costco. In large boxes. Trust me.
Yes, it will be messy. Yes, toilet paper shreds easily. (Keep baby wipes near toilet for extra wiping help, but DO NOT FLUSH THEM.) But if she’s ready, let her go. Literally.
PS – Potty chairs are just disgusting. Get a potty seat and a stepstool. It’s just easier, plus then the kid does not freak when there is only a toliet around to use and not their potty chair.
Comment by Deanna — February 4, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
You are funny,
Comment by Aina — February 4, 2007 @ 8:05 pm
I feel your pain, I truly do. One wonderful invention that you will want to have is the Flushable Wipe. Yes! They are smaller in size, but far better than the dry toilet paper that sticks. Ew! My kids are 7 and 9, and there is still a box on the back of every potty in the house. 9 year old boys have no objection to skid marks…
Comment by Melissa — February 5, 2007 @ 7:44 am
I agree with above, flushable wipes and a potty seat are the only ways to go. My son learned in the matter of a couple of days on a regular toilet (he used the potty seat as a stool) at 22 months. His aim may have been a little off those first couple of days but after that, it was a breeze. I only hope the second time around with our daughter is just as easy. I can’t wait to stop buying diapers!!!!!
Comment by Margaret — February 5, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Dude, you have issues! *smile* My boy was three by the time he was fully potty trained and do you know what a three year old’s poo looks like? It looks like yours, man, like yours! Picture being face to face with your poo with no water barrier between you… then take a sniff. (In your case multiply that experience by two.) I thank my lucky stars for no longer having to do that. Plus the cost of Pull-ups is astronomical. I’ll admit that you are right about the not getting too excited until they can wipe their own butt. Mine isn’t exactly an expert yet, but that’s what showers are for.
Comment by Keith — February 5, 2007 @ 7:20 pm
As one who has just finished PTU (potty training university) with my son (we’ve got the concept down, now it’s just reinforcement), I have to say that the moist flushable wipes that Cottenelle makes are wonderful for wiping a standing, clenching toddler. You find them by the tp in the grocery store.
And toddler diapers are so different compared to infant diapers. Once we had our little girs, when we changed our son, if felt like we were changing a 14-year-old. ick ick ick.
Comment by Redhead Mommy — February 6, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
My 2 1/2 old nephew is in the stages of being potty trained. But you know what? He knows when he poops in his diaper it shouldn’t stay there so HE TAKES HIS DIAPER OFF HIMSELF AND PUTS THE POO *ELSEWHERE*, such as the floor, the bed, under the couch, etc.
While we DO give him credit for realizing poo + diaper = bad, we’re still anxiously awaiting the day when he can just crap in the toilet. Makes it a whole lot cleaner.
I’m just sayin’.
Comment by samantha jo campen — February 7, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
My number one advice with potty training would be not to feel stressed about it. That can be tough psychologically for your kids. We let our potty training take whatever time need and it was many months. But I didn’t find the stage tough at all. A little extra wiping of poo-poo but that was about it. plus lots of time spent in the bathroom with my son who apparently can sit on the potty FOREVER.
AD
Comment by AdventureDad — February 8, 2007 @ 1:36 am
[...] Now I know that I’ve written before about how I’m not looking forward to this potty training thing. However, something just happened that makes me even more sure that this potty training thing is a bit overrated. [...]
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