Potty Training

Uhg....

You're right!  Keeping Hailey is diapers was easier ;)  Potty training is NO fun....

Hailey is fairly co-operative and has been pretty good 'training'.  She has wanted to go potty and wear panties and (once she was ready) hasn't refused to go.  Yes there have been accidents of both varieties (which I would rather clean up than puke) but that isn’t the frustrating part.

It is the constant back and forth to the toilet, no matter what you were in the middle of.  It is the waiting and checking and reading and waiting.  It is the running out of the bathroom with poop on her bum/hands telling me that she pooped and I should come see…. Most of all it is the new ‘excuse’ to get out of bed that I can’t refuse her because she is learning to control her body (even if she really doesn’t have to go and just wants out of bed).  That is what makes me snap!

I am so proud of Hailey!  She tells me when she needs to go (most of the time), she stays dry through naps and nighttime and she loves her big girl panties!

We aren’t past accidents yet and that is okay.  She will get there and in the meantime I am trying my best to remain patient with the 300% increase in daily bowel movements.

Two Cents' Worth - Potty Training

Potty Training....

sigh

I'm beginning to think that keeping children in diapers is WAY easier.

We spent the entire morning on the toilet (at least 10 separate occasions) trying to get Hailey to poop on the potty.  Nothing.... even though it is her 'usual' poop time.  I've got all the tempting treats and prizes and she wants to go.... but just doesn't know how.  She will pee anytime we put her on but still doesn't tell us when she has to go.  She probably just isn't ready yet.  I will likely wait till after Christmas to really focus on training her.

Until then I will enjoy not having my day revolve around bathroom visits every 20 min (that is even more frequent than pregnancy bathroom visits).

So today I am asking for your tips and advice about potty training.  How did you get your children to use the toilet?

Check out this blog for the MOST HILARIOUS cartoon depictions of motherhood!  The latest post was on potty training as well!

Is this really happening?

It started off as a premature purchase (to say the least).  I had bought this adorable little potty chair before Hailey was even one.  I was optimistic and hopeful that she would train early.

It sat in her closet for about a month then I realized it wasn't doing any good in there so I moved it to the bathroom.

A shocking realization for me as a mother was that I would be 'observed' going to the bathroom for probably a few years to come.  I was not too pleased with having an audience but what else do you do with your little one when you just have to go?!?!?  It doesn't bother me anymore.

It was during this 'observation' time when I would sit Hailey on her potty as well and say we are going to the bathroom (she had her clothes on).  Gradually she began to come in and sit on it herself while I was going.  Then for the last month or so Ian has been sitting her on it naked just before bath time telling her "it is time to go potty".  Nothing came from that until this week.  One day she just did it.  She peed in the potty.  We were so proud of her and she was so proud of herself.   We figured it was probably just a fluke but tried again the next night... natta!  But that is really okay considering Hailey is only 13.5 months old.  We aren't pushing it at all since I have heard that can be disasterous.

Last night however was my turn to bathe Hailey as Ian was off at YM.  I did the same thing and put her on... and she did it again.  Maybe this could be a trend?  If it is, or isn't, we are okay with that.  But of course having a kid fully potty trained by 18 mths would be super awesome.  Heck, we may never need size 5 diapers for this kid :)

Anywho... Hailey is learning more everyday and it astounds me.  I get such joy from seeing her grow up and don't know how any Mom's (except obviously the ones that have to work) can miss out on this amazing experience.