One of the hardest things as a mom to face is the joy of potty training. What age do you start to train? When do you change to pull ups? How often do you have him/her sit on the potty? Not to mention that it's impossible to stay home all the time. So therefore, one of the hardest tasks to potty training is when you are on the go.
My youngest daughter, Kaylyn has been the hardest child of mine to train. She will be three years old next month and we still have not completely accomplished this task. I started this adventure when she was around two years old. It started out talking to her about "Potty TIme" and getting outside resources to also help achieve our goal. Potty training material is not the easiest to find. However, I did find a little child's book for her about potty training that even had a button on it that you push and it sounds as if the toilet is flushing. As far as a dvd to watch, it was mere impossible to find. So I searched the internet. Site after site, I still could not find a popular kid's show today that addressed the issue. Finally I had to settle with "Bear in the Big Blue House." She will hardly watch this because it is a show more of the past. It in no way compares to "Dora the Explorer" for her, which is her absolutely favorite show. So the frustration began!
I know that you are not suppose to compare your child to others, but it is so hard. When you have a friend's child that is almost one year younger than yours potty trained while I am still banging my head against the wall. (Not literally) I am sure that you other moms know exactly what I am talking about.
We have been reading the book, watching the movie (some), talking about going potty, sitting on the potty and even taking her while me and big sister goes potty for months now and there was still no progress. :(
My mom has been a big help in this journey and without her I would have already lost my mind. She has helped me talk with her about going potty, tried taking her to potty and even helped me come up with ways to encourage her to go potty. Like candy, bubbles and many other of her favorite things including riding my parent's Gator ( the ATV kind, not the reptile! We do not live in Florida anymore. LOL). Still no accomplishment at all!!! :(
It was one day this past week when my mom called and asked if Kaylyn and I wanted to join her and my father to eat lunch at a local restaurant. As we were sitting there eating, we were talking to Kaylyn still about going potty and she told us that she would try after we ate. When we were finished my mom and I both took her to the bathroom where she went pee-pee in the potty for the first time! (WHEW) When she was finished washing her hands, she ran back to the table and loudly yelled, "Paw, I went pee- pee in the potty." People were staring and smiling, but we didn't seem to mind because we were so proud! After this we continued with the potty experience and it seemed as if we were going backwards until this morning when she for the first time ever, went #2 in the potty!!!! My husband Jeremy and I are so proud. The first thing she wanted to do was walk next door and tell Nana and Paw about her pooping in the potty. They were so proud of her. They gave her hugs and kisses and candy of course!!!
She is now wearing panties and playing in her room with her cousin Haley. I probably should go check and see if she needs to go potty again.
I am not saying our adventure is over. However, I know that it is just getting started. If anyone has any advice to share, I would love to hear it!!
For those of you who are or about to go through this adventure, DO NOT GIVE UP!!! It will happen eventually, just keep trying and encouraging them. Who knows they might surprise you!!
