**I promise I will eventually stopped giving daily updates about this subject.**
Day 7: I think it finally clicked! I am going to say that by Day 7 that Cole has completed the daytime portion of this potty training process. We still have lots of work to do for naps and overnight sleeping, but it may be an age thing, individual bladder thing, or something I don't know about yet. We will continue to work towards sleeping without wetting the bed. We are considering pull-ups for this, strictly for sleeping only, but I am nervous because the method we choose to follow is VERY clear not to use them and he is doing so well during the day. I don't want to do anything to mess that up. But I also feel terrible for him waking up every day soaking wet, clothes, blankets and everything. At least with a pull-up, it would just be that.
Accident Report: Zero full spills, 1-3 leaks, but were able to get to the potty.
Outings: Chickfila, Baskin Robins and Zacs house to hang out with friends.
We were out so long that we had our first public restroom experience and Cole was a CHAMP!
Day 8 & 9: We had a busy weekend and Cole kept up just great and because he will use the restroom in public we are back to running all our errands again. We had trips to Lowe's, our first family mission outing at a local apartment complex, and his first trip back to church since we were out of town two weeks ago and potty training last Sunday. I was a nervous wreck for the first time EVER leaving him at preschool at church. It has never bothered me to leave him or him to be left. We both love all those people that work in preschool. But this was the first time he had been out of sight of me or Brent since the potty training had began. I felt horrible about leaving him. What if something happened? He is not great about telling us or anything. haha. After talking to Kasey, the preschool director, I felt better. His teachers were ready. I wrote notes, of course, I left them at home and had to re-write them in the car. So sloppy. But I was so relieved to hear, he was accident FREE and went to the potty for them!!! YAY!! I now, feel like we can return to normal life. I know Cole is glad too. About half way through last week, he was BEGGING for his friends.
Showing posts with label potty training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label potty training. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Potty Training Day 6
Day 6:
We had a bit of regression today. Cole did not pee in the potty until almost 6pm tonight. He just refused any other time we went to the potty.
He definitely has the ability to hold it and does for long periods of time when he chooses to, but I also think we are now dealing with his will not to tell us and refuse to go on the potty. Stubborn. He did better tonight, so hopefully all will be back on track tomorrow.
Accident Report: 2 (breakfast and snack) I have to admit that I relaxed with him a little today and maybe I shouldn't have just yet. And of course, nap and overnight still not holding it.
Outings: Trip to the bank and Lupe Tortilla. Both accident FREE!
I can definitely handle a few at home. I know they will happen in public most likely but come on, I can wish and hope, right?
We had a bit of regression today. Cole did not pee in the potty until almost 6pm tonight. He just refused any other time we went to the potty.
He definitely has the ability to hold it and does for long periods of time when he chooses to, but I also think we are now dealing with his will not to tell us and refuse to go on the potty. Stubborn. He did better tonight, so hopefully all will be back on track tomorrow.
Accident Report: 2 (breakfast and snack) I have to admit that I relaxed with him a little today and maybe I shouldn't have just yet. And of course, nap and overnight still not holding it.
Outings: Trip to the bank and Lupe Tortilla. Both accident FREE!
I can definitely handle a few at home. I know they will happen in public most likely but come on, I can wish and hope, right?
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Potty Training: Day 4 (afternoon) & Day 5
I am happy so very happy to report progress!!
Day 4 (afternoon):
Nap- Still wakes up wet and dirty.
Accident Report: Only 2 in late evening.
Day 5:
Woke up soaking again.
This morning we went to the library for Toddler Time. Cole did super! He played and we were accident free the whole morning.
He held it from 7:30am to 11:30am!
Nap: Again, woke up wet and dirty.
Accident Report: ZERO for the entire day!!!
Progress is fantastic! We are not giving up. It is taking longer the the 3 day method but it is working. Our main objective now is to work on nap time and overnight staying clean and dry.
Day 4 (afternoon):
Nap- Still wakes up wet and dirty.
Accident Report: Only 2 in late evening.
Day 5:
Woke up soaking again.
This morning we went to the library for Toddler Time. Cole did super! He played and we were accident free the whole morning.
He held it from 7:30am to 11:30am!
Nap: Again, woke up wet and dirty.
Accident Report: ZERO for the entire day!!!
Progress is fantastic! We are not giving up. It is taking longer the the 3 day method but it is working. Our main objective now is to work on nap time and overnight staying clean and dry.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Potty Training: Day 4 (morning session)
Okay, I have been posting at the end of the night but our morning has been too good so I have to brag on Cole during his nap time in case the afternoon doesn't go as well. And of course, I am hoping and praying it will, but you know expectations...
Woke up at 7:20ish. Not a fan of that. Usually he plays in his room awhile, but now that we are without diapers that is not an option so I have to spring out of bed immediately. Oh and he was the most wet so far out of this process this morning. We are cutting off liquids at 6. Should we go even earlier? The method we are trying says a big NO to pull-ups. I will stick with that for a whole week or two for sure, but after that I may make some adjustments.
We tried to potty straight out of bed, with no luck. Put of fresh underwear and kept them dry for 3 HOURS!! We even with for a car ride to Target, shopped, and made it home without an accident!! Yes! He loves Icees from Target so as his reward for staying dry, we had Icees. :)
When we got home, we read and watched some TV. He was laying on the couch with me so I had an extra close eye on him. He still isn't telling me with words that often that he needs to go, actually none today at all, but I am proud to say I think I am learning his signals. He is also dripping less like I said yesterday so every time he would ever so lightly drip I told him it was time to go run to the potty.
He would take off, we would read the Ernie Potty Book, so he could be reminded how Ernie stopped playing, watching tv, reading books, etc. and went to the potty. He went every time!!!
This morning, we are accident FREE!!
Now, he is down for his nap. We had a long talk about keeping our underwear clean and dry while sleeping and that there would be a special prize when he woke up if he did so. Sleeping is our biggest accident area as of now. I better get busy thinking of a special prize.
Woke up at 7:20ish. Not a fan of that. Usually he plays in his room awhile, but now that we are without diapers that is not an option so I have to spring out of bed immediately. Oh and he was the most wet so far out of this process this morning. We are cutting off liquids at 6. Should we go even earlier? The method we are trying says a big NO to pull-ups. I will stick with that for a whole week or two for sure, but after that I may make some adjustments.
We tried to potty straight out of bed, with no luck. Put of fresh underwear and kept them dry for 3 HOURS!! We even with for a car ride to Target, shopped, and made it home without an accident!! Yes! He loves Icees from Target so as his reward for staying dry, we had Icees. :)
When we got home, we read and watched some TV. He was laying on the couch with me so I had an extra close eye on him. He still isn't telling me with words that often that he needs to go, actually none today at all, but I am proud to say I think I am learning his signals. He is also dripping less like I said yesterday so every time he would ever so lightly drip I told him it was time to go run to the potty.
He would take off, we would read the Ernie Potty Book, so he could be reminded how Ernie stopped playing, watching tv, reading books, etc. and went to the potty. He went every time!!!
This morning, we are accident FREE!!
Now, he is down for his nap. We had a long talk about keeping our underwear clean and dry while sleeping and that there would be a special prize when he woke up if he did so. Sleeping is our biggest accident area as of now. I better get busy thinking of a special prize.
Monday, July 05, 2010
Potty Training: Day 3
Cole is off to bed. We had some success and a little regression today. We only had to use 5-6 pair of underwear today instead of 20-40, so that is progress. But his communication with us about needing to potty did not continue. He only told us once and that was about an hour ago. We had two successful trips to the potty when he actually did something and 3-4 accidents. Not terrible but we definitely are not finished with this process. We will continue our training process tomorrow. He also did not drip as much today which I thought was progress and kept his underwear dry for a 3 hour stretch this morning. I think we will get there. It is just going to take more time. This last accident/telling us he needed to potty, it seemed like he got it more as far as the feeling of needing to go or that something happened. So maybe that is a positive sign. Time will only tell.
Books that we are reading/bought yesterday:
The Potty Book for Boys by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
Too Big for Diapers (Sesame Street) by Random House
Books that we are reading/bought yesterday:
The Potty Book for Boys by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Diapers Are Not Forever by Elizabeth Verdick
Too Big for Diapers (Sesame Street) by Random House
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Potty Training: Day 1 and Day 2
Well, it is end of Day 2 and I thought I would give a small update, but also write down some of our trials, errors, failures and successes so I do not forget them later when we have to do this again for Baby #2.
Day 1:
We started at 8am. The first hour was great. He kept his big boy underwear completely dry.
9am. Lowe's showed up to give us an estimate on windows. Brent was here so he could handle that but they were standing in our living room so I was a little distracted, so that was not the best thing. During that time, we had our first accident. We rushed to the potty.
At this point, we had a potty seat like this:
He went a few times on it, but let me tell you it was traumatic for him. The 3 day book says not to make them try. It says not to let them just sit there. So that's what we were sorta doing. But it was so hard because as soon as you would take him off he would pee, so then you are putting him right back on and he stops, of course. Yikes. To keep calm was a serious challenge. Also every time he starts to pee in the living room, you are to rush him to the potty. Did I mentioned that I am 22 weeks pregnant?? That is hard and painful after a couple of trips. My back is throbbing. Brent is here and helping but if I am the one seeing it starting then of course I will be the one scooping him up and running to the potty.
During the course of the day, Brent went to get this kind of potty chair:
After getting it out of the box, we decided not to use it at that point. The reason Brent went to get it is because Cole is huge and this potty seats are almost too small for him. This one seemed smaller so we didn't want to waste the money if it wasn't going to work either.
False Expectations/Assumptions We Had Going In:
**Of course, I kept telling myself before starting this process that I wouldn't set the bar too high that I know he is still young but we were still going to try. If it didn't work fine but we were going to try before the next baby came. Apparently, you can say that all you want but it isn't true. You still will have expectations, even if they are unspoken.**
1. Cole is a great communicator. We thought it would be so easy for him to tell us that he needed to go potty. Wrong. So wrong.
2. So many things Cole has caught onto or given up without a fight and quickly, so we thought surely this will be the same way. Wrong. Giving up the pacifier. Easy. Sleeping and staying in his big boy bed. Easy.
Overall, Day 1 was a bust. I am not sure how many accidents. I was going to keep track but Cole is like a leaky faucet and just dips almost constantly, which we were counting as accidents on Day 1. Actual full on pours onto the floor I would say about 5-7. But we went through all 17-20 pair of underwear at least twice yesterday. He also wet the bed twice during nap. We were however pleasantly surprised with him sleeping through the night last night. We cut off liquids at 6pm and he was slightly damp this morning but not soaked. His crib mattress pad was not wet at all.
Day 2:
We started about 7:30am. Cole kept his second pair of underwear this morning dry for 2 hours! I was so thinking, "yes! something clicked overnight." Wrong. He still was not communicating the way we thought he would that he needed to go potty. The 3 day book said they did not have to communicate with words to be communicating with you. It could be a dance, a shake, him pulling us by the hand, anything. So that's our learning assignment. What is Cole's way of communicating with us??
From 10:30 to nap time (about 12:30pm), it was a battle. We were all so tired. Hurting. Frustrated.
He only slept an hour and a half and woke up soaked and dirty for the first time. Sorry Brent. He dealt with that one since I was taking a nap break too.
I was so beyond tired and hurting today that it was so hard to hide my anger and frustration. I didn't want to show that to Cole but we had no progress at all. I needed to get out.
A few things I wish we had done before starting this process:
1. Buy potty books and read them to Cole over and over for weeks or months before beginning this process.
2. Read the 3 day book a couple more times.
3. Researched other methods.
4. Taken parts of the method that fit us and go with it. I know this method has worked successfully for others and it still could for us but when you are trying to follow something so clearly to a tee but it doesn't answer every question and it hasn't been studied over and over then mistakes will happen, you will feel like a failure and think constantly "what am I doing wrong here." At least, that is how I felt today.
So at 3:30pm, I went to Barnes and Noble. I took a break. I got Starbucks and went to the children's section and read EVERY potty training book for kids they had. I only liked 3 and edited one of them that used diapers more then I liked and substituted the word underwear for it instead. In almost every book, they made a huge deal about the child getting a present and in that present they found a potty chair. In one book, the child got to pick out his brand new underwear.
Hello to Leigh Ann!! I didn't do any of this. A light went on. I was calm again. I thought "I will try anything at this point." I didn't let Cole pick his underwear or potty seat. There was no big presentation. Sure we showed it to him but it wasn't wrapped or made a gift or anything. Well, that's just what I did when I got home. I wrapped the 3 books I just bought and the potty chair Brent had bought the day before. Cole never really saw it, so it is new to him.
He unwrapped those books, we read them, and then he was given the "big box" present all the books talked about. He was so EXCITED! He carried that potty chair into the bathroom himself.
Breakthrough?? Didn't know at that point. We were still looking for his way of communicating. But you know we were reading those new books over and over. Cole loves to read and remembers books so well. Why didn't I think of this earlier?? It didn't matter, we have them now.
He was a different kid on HIS new potty chair. It seemed to be less threatening to him then the potty seat on the BIG toilet. He could get on and off by himself.
We also decided at this point to let the "dripping faucet" go because we would be rushing to the toilet EVERY second almost. He needed to learn to fully empty his bladder when we went to the potty. This helped. But the 3 day method didn't speak anything about boys and leaky faucets, unless I missed it.
At 6pm, we had our FIRST major breakthrough!! Cole told me, in words, that he needed to go POTTY! We made it to the potty without peeing on the floor and he went a ton in the potty!! Yes! Progress. I felt refreshed. Like a new person. It is SO much easier to be positive, stay calm when you are seeing progress. Not that I shouldn't if I am not seeing progress, but come on you all know seeing progress in anything helps you stay at it.
After that, he told us a few more times. We had a couple more spills but there were more times then before that we were making it to the potty. I am so thankful.
Tomorrow is Day 3. Let's see what that has in store for us. Keep praying for our patience, perseverance, positive attitudes and our progress. I will keep you posted.
Day 1:
We started at 8am. The first hour was great. He kept his big boy underwear completely dry.
9am. Lowe's showed up to give us an estimate on windows. Brent was here so he could handle that but they were standing in our living room so I was a little distracted, so that was not the best thing. During that time, we had our first accident. We rushed to the potty.
At this point, we had a potty seat like this:
He went a few times on it, but let me tell you it was traumatic for him. The 3 day book says not to make them try. It says not to let them just sit there. So that's what we were sorta doing. But it was so hard because as soon as you would take him off he would pee, so then you are putting him right back on and he stops, of course. Yikes. To keep calm was a serious challenge. Also every time he starts to pee in the living room, you are to rush him to the potty. Did I mentioned that I am 22 weeks pregnant?? That is hard and painful after a couple of trips. My back is throbbing. Brent is here and helping but if I am the one seeing it starting then of course I will be the one scooping him up and running to the potty.
During the course of the day, Brent went to get this kind of potty chair:
After getting it out of the box, we decided not to use it at that point. The reason Brent went to get it is because Cole is huge and this potty seats are almost too small for him. This one seemed smaller so we didn't want to waste the money if it wasn't going to work either.
False Expectations/Assumptions We Had Going In:
**Of course, I kept telling myself before starting this process that I wouldn't set the bar too high that I know he is still young but we were still going to try. If it didn't work fine but we were going to try before the next baby came. Apparently, you can say that all you want but it isn't true. You still will have expectations, even if they are unspoken.**
1. Cole is a great communicator. We thought it would be so easy for him to tell us that he needed to go potty. Wrong. So wrong.
2. So many things Cole has caught onto or given up without a fight and quickly, so we thought surely this will be the same way. Wrong. Giving up the pacifier. Easy. Sleeping and staying in his big boy bed. Easy.
Overall, Day 1 was a bust. I am not sure how many accidents. I was going to keep track but Cole is like a leaky faucet and just dips almost constantly, which we were counting as accidents on Day 1. Actual full on pours onto the floor I would say about 5-7. But we went through all 17-20 pair of underwear at least twice yesterday. He also wet the bed twice during nap. We were however pleasantly surprised with him sleeping through the night last night. We cut off liquids at 6pm and he was slightly damp this morning but not soaked. His crib mattress pad was not wet at all.
Day 2:
We started about 7:30am. Cole kept his second pair of underwear this morning dry for 2 hours! I was so thinking, "yes! something clicked overnight." Wrong. He still was not communicating the way we thought he would that he needed to go potty. The 3 day book said they did not have to communicate with words to be communicating with you. It could be a dance, a shake, him pulling us by the hand, anything. So that's our learning assignment. What is Cole's way of communicating with us??
From 10:30 to nap time (about 12:30pm), it was a battle. We were all so tired. Hurting. Frustrated.
He only slept an hour and a half and woke up soaked and dirty for the first time. Sorry Brent. He dealt with that one since I was taking a nap break too.
I was so beyond tired and hurting today that it was so hard to hide my anger and frustration. I didn't want to show that to Cole but we had no progress at all. I needed to get out.
A few things I wish we had done before starting this process:
1. Buy potty books and read them to Cole over and over for weeks or months before beginning this process.
2. Read the 3 day book a couple more times.
3. Researched other methods.
4. Taken parts of the method that fit us and go with it. I know this method has worked successfully for others and it still could for us but when you are trying to follow something so clearly to a tee but it doesn't answer every question and it hasn't been studied over and over then mistakes will happen, you will feel like a failure and think constantly "what am I doing wrong here." At least, that is how I felt today.
So at 3:30pm, I went to Barnes and Noble. I took a break. I got Starbucks and went to the children's section and read EVERY potty training book for kids they had. I only liked 3 and edited one of them that used diapers more then I liked and substituted the word underwear for it instead. In almost every book, they made a huge deal about the child getting a present and in that present they found a potty chair. In one book, the child got to pick out his brand new underwear.
Hello to Leigh Ann!! I didn't do any of this. A light went on. I was calm again. I thought "I will try anything at this point." I didn't let Cole pick his underwear or potty seat. There was no big presentation. Sure we showed it to him but it wasn't wrapped or made a gift or anything. Well, that's just what I did when I got home. I wrapped the 3 books I just bought and the potty chair Brent had bought the day before. Cole never really saw it, so it is new to him.
He unwrapped those books, we read them, and then he was given the "big box" present all the books talked about. He was so EXCITED! He carried that potty chair into the bathroom himself.
Breakthrough?? Didn't know at that point. We were still looking for his way of communicating. But you know we were reading those new books over and over. Cole loves to read and remembers books so well. Why didn't I think of this earlier?? It didn't matter, we have them now.
He was a different kid on HIS new potty chair. It seemed to be less threatening to him then the potty seat on the BIG toilet. He could get on and off by himself.
We also decided at this point to let the "dripping faucet" go because we would be rushing to the toilet EVERY second almost. He needed to learn to fully empty his bladder when we went to the potty. This helped. But the 3 day method didn't speak anything about boys and leaky faucets, unless I missed it.
At 6pm, we had our FIRST major breakthrough!! Cole told me, in words, that he needed to go POTTY! We made it to the potty without peeing on the floor and he went a ton in the potty!! Yes! Progress. I felt refreshed. Like a new person. It is SO much easier to be positive, stay calm when you are seeing progress. Not that I shouldn't if I am not seeing progress, but come on you all know seeing progress in anything helps you stay at it.
After that, he told us a few more times. We had a couple more spills but there were more times then before that we were making it to the potty. I am so thankful.
Tomorrow is Day 3. Let's see what that has in store for us. Keep praying for our patience, perseverance, positive attitudes and our progress. I will keep you posted.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Potty Training
Tomorrow is Day 1 of our potty training adventure. I had it calendared for next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but since it is raining this weekend and Brent will be home the next 3 days we decided to start tomorrow instead, so I would have a back-up and relief even for a moment or two. Please pray for our patience, Cole's ability to understand the process and for all of us to stay positive.
I think we are ready. I need to go over the book, Potty Training in 3 Days, I read with Brent since he will be helping but other then that we have our reward items, big boy underwear, and potty seat.
We will be in our house for the next 3 days. Insane. I hope I don't go insane. But that's pretty much what we do on raining days anyway so hopefully all will work out. I am excited for the process to be over and the thought of no more diapers for a few months, but getting there is a little scary.
I will update you on our success and failures. :)
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