The boy's going to be three in March, he doesn't like wearing diapers and he definitely knows 'the baby' wears them. But, he doesn't like the potty; we don't think he's afraid of it, he watches us, tries to flush and used to wave 'bye bye'. But, he also doesn't like new things and potty training is definitely a change. I don't want to physically force him and I don't want to make it hard for him, but I've suspected for a while he was ready.
Then on Thursday he asked for 'no diapers', which I allowed, but as soon as I stepped into the kitchen he started peeing, all over his brother's new Amazing Animals Sing & Go Choo-Choo.
I don't necessarily think it was completely intentional, but I don't necessarily think it was coincidental either.
I asked on Twitter and Facebook and came across some good reading about a 3 day potty training plan. It makes sense to me, don't confuse the kid by sometimes wearing diapers and sometimes wearing underwear. Just slap on the big boy pants, tell him he's a big boy, give him lots of praise and make your entire day (well 3 days) completely about his pee.
Yesterday we went for it.
I had one of my best friends and her son over for the morning, which meant I had an extra pair of hands to help out with the boys, and the hubs had a half day at work for the new year, so I wasn't on my own.
Yesterday, we learned the boy has some serious bladder control.
He danced, he bounced, he squatted and of course he assumed the position; knees together, hands between the legs. He didn't want to pee in those big boy pants, but he sure didn't want to go in the potty either. He made it about 2.5 hours all toll and he spent over an hour putting off the accident.
Today, we got him to sit on the potty.
A definite improvement on crying 'no' and standing up immediately. I took a suggestion to 'find his currency' to heart and we've given a few Hot Wheels for his big achievements and designated a Lightning McQueen notebook only for use on the potty. Then, around 4 this afternoon, we pulled the potty into the living room and got him to sit down (in the midst of an accident) with a new Dora book he got for Christmas and he finally relaxed.
Success! He peed in the potty.
It only happened once, but its still pretty fantastic all things considered. Thank goodness the hubs was home, we're both exhausted and the boy is too, but I think we'll all be happier when the boy's out of diapers.
