Quite awhile ago, I noticed that Addison & Mackenzie seemed to have a preference for doing their potty business at home. Even back in the diaper days, they rarely needed a change if we were out in public.
Neither Jeremy nor I are fans of public restrooms, so the fact that our children seemed to inherently dislike them may have secretly delighted us. We enjoyed so many fewer trips to germ-infested, perpetually-smelly bathrooms and changing stations during the girls' first couple of years.
Enter: potty training.
I have mentioned several times that A & M have unbelievably good control over their bodily functions. These were never the children who got too caught up in their play and forgot to use the bathroom...they just had no problem holding it until they remembered they had to go. We also didn't waste our time asking if they needed to go every thirty minutes; they go every few hours, at a maximum.
When the girls were potty trained, we realized their abhorrence of public restrooms was going to continue. Great, I thought, less time hovering in a bathroom stall, trying to keep little hands from touching any surface! Eventually, though, we realized that being out and about without diapers and with kids who would not or could not do their business in a public place could cause a few glitches in our on-the-go lifestyle.
We quickly learned to recognize the signs of a child needing to go potty. Sitting in a restaurant, just after our food was served, Mackenzie might say, "I'm ready to go home." We would explain that we just got our food, everyone was still eating, blah, blah, blah....until it finally dawned on someone to say, "OH, do you need to use the bathroom?" Now, I don't know about you, but I don't enjoy being rushed through my meal by a three-year old who just wants to go home so she can use her OWN potty. I'm sympathetic to that tendency--really, I am--but I have my limits.
We realized we couldn't drop what we were doing and run home every time someone needed to go potty. And what about the times we were out all day long? What about car trips and vacation? At times when we were out for extended periods of time, the girls were pushing even their limits to "hold it", which I knew could not be healthy. It was time to get over the public restroom hurdle.
I started encouraging the girls to try to go when we were out somewhere. From the time they were potty trained, they would usually agree to go try, but it was usually a short-lived and fruitless effort. They were scared of the loud flush, or the hand dryer, or any number of other little things that couldn't be helped. I don't really know what I did differently--maybe I display more enthusiasm and less disdain for the bathrooms? I do remember encouraging the girls to flush the potties themselves, even when they were loud (and despite those germy handles!) and to laugh over the roar to show that they weren't afraid. I remember one day specifically, in a Target bathroom, where it really seemed to click for them and they started showing much less fear of the flush and even used the hand dryer. Major goal achieved!
Since that day, the girls have used many, many restrooms. They are no longer timid and afraid, and like most curious three-year olds, they now probably request to potty more when we are out somewhere than they do at home. As my mom says, it's the stage of checking out every bathroom in the tri-state area.
But you know what? I'll take it. We aren't having to stress about making sure the girls go before leaving home, knowing it will be hours before we return. We don't have to rush through meals to get home to our bathroom. I might have to trek across the restaurant once or twice, but I can handle that. Conquering this fear of public restrooms has made our lives so much easier, and for that, I will brave the germs.
Pass the hand soap, please!
Showing posts with label potty training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label potty training. Show all posts
12.19.2011
Notes to my future self
A few reminders for next year's holiday season:
---Don't buy Groupon or LivingSocial deals for events ahead of time. This time of year is ridiculously busy, and all your family will want is a peaceful afternoon at home.
(We missed out on a second pre-paid deal this weekend, when nap only lasted 40 minutes and we decided to forgo Holiday Lights at the Zoo.)
(We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks at the theater instead...and had a pretty great time!)
---Book a photography session in October, instead of November, so you will have pictures back in plenty of time for holiday projects.
---Don't buy a movie your children loved last year...chances are, they will want nothing to do with it this year (ahem, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer).
---Let Jeremy claim a good spot to stand along the wall for the girls' MDO Christmas program, so maybe you will have better pictures than this:
---Don't buy Groupon or LivingSocial deals for events ahead of time. This time of year is ridiculously busy, and all your family will want is a peaceful afternoon at home.
(We missed out on a second pre-paid deal this weekend, when nap only lasted 40 minutes and we decided to forgo Holiday Lights at the Zoo.)
(We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks at the theater instead...and had a pretty great time!)
---Book a photography session in October, instead of November, so you will have pictures back in plenty of time for holiday projects.
---Don't buy a movie your children loved last year...chances are, they will want nothing to do with it this year (ahem, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer).
---Let Jeremy claim a good spot to stand along the wall for the girls' MDO Christmas program, so maybe you will have better pictures than this:
 |
| Can you spot my little angels? One of them is yawning... : ) |
---Do all the holiday decorating in one day. You will NOT want to start over on a new project the next weekend, so just get it all done at the same time. (This would explain why there are no topiary trees on my porch this year, as well as why the cute little snowflake decorations I bought for the girls' room are still in the bag from Target.)
---Clean out the closets in early fall to prepare for the onslaught of wrapping supplies, gifts, stocking stuffers, and craft materials...that stuff takes up a lot of room!
---Related: do not buy any more red ribbon. There are three nearly-full rolls left from previous years in the hall closet. (If you clean out the closet as planned, you will know this already.)
---Find a better hiding spot for Addison & Mackenzie's presents. They will be a little older and wiser in 2012, and might not accept that the Dora accessories set Mackenzie just found in the bottom of her mother's closet is a present for potty training and not part of Santa's stockpile.
(Yes, they got the Dora set this morning and I don't feel badly about it at all, because I have TWO POTTY-TRAINED CHILDREN!! I think that deserves the caps-lock key, don't you?)
---Related: do not buy any more red ribbon. There are three nearly-full rolls left from previous years in the hall closet. (If you clean out the closet as planned, you will know this already.)
---Find a better hiding spot for Addison & Mackenzie's presents. They will be a little older and wiser in 2012, and might not accept that the Dora accessories set Mackenzie just found in the bottom of her mother's closet is a present for potty training and not part of Santa's stockpile.
(Yes, they got the Dora set this morning and I don't feel badly about it at all, because I have TWO POTTY-TRAINED CHILDREN!! I think that deserves the caps-lock key, don't you?)
11.30.2011
Imagination Station
One of the many things I didn't realize about being a parent was just how much I would enjoy watching them learn new skills and concepts. Watching Mackenzie grasp the concept of potty training and overcome that huge step has just been amazing. I can see the excitement in her face each time she has success, and it's easy to see how proud of herself she feels. (And for the record, after more than two weeks with no accidents, I am counting her as POTTY TRAINED! One down, one to go!)
Another thing that is fun to watch is the development of the girls' imaginations, which are in full swing right now.
Not long after school started back in August, the girls started talking about someone named either "Caleb" or "Kayla"...it's hard to tell exactly how they're saying it. (Most of the time it comes out sounding like "K-love"-- a playground rapper, perhaps?) Upon checking with their teachers, we ascertained that there was no Caleb or Kayla in their class or any of the classes they come into contact with. After many instances of overhearing the girls boss "K-love" around, tell him (her?) to take a nap, buckle his car seat, and eat his lunch, we decided that Addison & Mackenzie may just have their first imaginary friend.
Having had two imaginary friends of my own as a child, I think it's pretty darn cute. (No, I won't reveal my childhood friends' names or exactly how long I carried on conversations with them!)
The pretend games have only increased since then, in both animation and complexity. The latest game involves the girls pretending to be one of their teachers, with Mrs. Pam, their Sunday school teacher being the primary character of the moment. Addison is particularly serious in her role, often completely ignoring me saying her name until she finally gives me an exasperated look and says, "I'm Mrs. Pam!". Some days it's hard to keep track of just who I am supposed to be talking to! Addison will open any one of her books and say, "This is my Bible and I'm going to read you a story. You sit down and listen."
Who can refuse such a cute demand? : )
Another thing that is fun to watch is the development of the girls' imaginations, which are in full swing right now.
Not long after school started back in August, the girls started talking about someone named either "Caleb" or "Kayla"...it's hard to tell exactly how they're saying it. (Most of the time it comes out sounding like "K-love"-- a playground rapper, perhaps?) Upon checking with their teachers, we ascertained that there was no Caleb or Kayla in their class or any of the classes they come into contact with. After many instances of overhearing the girls boss "K-love" around, tell him (her?) to take a nap, buckle his car seat, and eat his lunch, we decided that Addison & Mackenzie may just have their first imaginary friend.
Having had two imaginary friends of my own as a child, I think it's pretty darn cute. (No, I won't reveal my childhood friends' names or exactly how long I carried on conversations with them!)
The pretend games have only increased since then, in both animation and complexity. The latest game involves the girls pretending to be one of their teachers, with Mrs. Pam, their Sunday school teacher being the primary character of the moment. Addison is particularly serious in her role, often completely ignoring me saying her name until she finally gives me an exasperated look and says, "I'm Mrs. Pam!". Some days it's hard to keep track of just who I am supposed to be talking to! Addison will open any one of her books and say, "This is my Bible and I'm going to read you a story. You sit down and listen."
Who can refuse such a cute demand? : )
11.23.2011
Potty Mouth
No, not that kind of potty mouth...just lots of talking about the potty and bodily functions.
Since the last time I talked about my potty training frustrations, I pretty much dropped the subject. Occasionally my mom or Jeremy's mom would ask the girls about sitting on the potty, but I didn't really mention it at all.
Imagine my surprise then, when my mom called last Tuesday to tell me that both Addison and Mackenzie had worn panties to school! Their teachers have been telling us that it's fine to send them in panties whenever we are ready, so when they both agreed to wear them on Tuesday morning, off they went. I think they had gone without diapers most of Monday as well, but honestly, I can't quite remember.
On Tuesday, neither one of the girls had an accident at school. I could hardly believe it. Even better, they had both used the potty at school. (Remember, my girls must have amazingly huge bladders--they can hold it for hours--and they have still never pooped at school.)
Tuesday was a major milestone for our little family!
Addison had an accident at school on Wednesday, but she wore her panties again on Thursday and did just fine at school. Since then, though, she has kind of regressed and flat-out begged for diapers. After a bit of disagreement on Friday, Jeremy and I decided not to push her on it right now. Addison has not been interested in the potty as long as Mackenzie has, so I feel good about giving her a little more time and focusing on M right now.
As for Mackenzie...she has been in panties full-time since last Tuesday and has not had a single accident. AND she used the potty at our friends' house during a birthday party on Saturday! Woo-hoo!!!
I should clarify that she has consistently peed in the potty; we still have a little way to go on the poop stuff. (Sorry if this is all a little gross...we say "pee-pee" and "poo-poo" in our house...what kind of terms do you use with your kids? There is no good way to say it, is there??)
For the first few days, M would request a diaper when she needed to poop (I'm pretty thankful for the bodily function control that allows her to wait while I get a diaper!), and I was okay dealing with that. Thursday night, out of the blue, Mackenzie agreed when I suggested she try to poop on the potty. And she did! Well, a little at least. I knew it wasn't, well...enough...but hey, it's a start! She has since done it a couple more times, getting more comfortable each time.
Maybe a little too comfortable, judging by her declaration in this video...
(Yes, she will want to kill me for this someday, so I am making a mental note to remove it before she gets old enough to be embarrassed by it. In fact, this entire post should probably be made private at some point in the future...)
I am SO incredibly proud of my big girl. I am also very proud of my Addison, who has handled all the extra attention directed at M with very little drama. I know she will be ready before too long, and she will get her turn with the attention and praise.
While we can't throw out the diapers just yet, diapering only one child (plus honoring the occasional request for a diaper from Mackenzie) is already much easier on the wallet and on this mama and daddy. These are exciting days in our house!
Since the last time I talked about my potty training frustrations, I pretty much dropped the subject. Occasionally my mom or Jeremy's mom would ask the girls about sitting on the potty, but I didn't really mention it at all.
Imagine my surprise then, when my mom called last Tuesday to tell me that both Addison and Mackenzie had worn panties to school! Their teachers have been telling us that it's fine to send them in panties whenever we are ready, so when they both agreed to wear them on Tuesday morning, off they went. I think they had gone without diapers most of Monday as well, but honestly, I can't quite remember.
On Tuesday, neither one of the girls had an accident at school. I could hardly believe it. Even better, they had both used the potty at school. (Remember, my girls must have amazingly huge bladders--they can hold it for hours--and they have still never pooped at school.)
Tuesday was a major milestone for our little family!
Addison had an accident at school on Wednesday, but she wore her panties again on Thursday and did just fine at school. Since then, though, she has kind of regressed and flat-out begged for diapers. After a bit of disagreement on Friday, Jeremy and I decided not to push her on it right now. Addison has not been interested in the potty as long as Mackenzie has, so I feel good about giving her a little more time and focusing on M right now.
As for Mackenzie...she has been in panties full-time since last Tuesday and has not had a single accident. AND she used the potty at our friends' house during a birthday party on Saturday! Woo-hoo!!!
I should clarify that she has consistently peed in the potty; we still have a little way to go on the poop stuff. (Sorry if this is all a little gross...we say "pee-pee" and "poo-poo" in our house...what kind of terms do you use with your kids? There is no good way to say it, is there??)
For the first few days, M would request a diaper when she needed to poop (I'm pretty thankful for the bodily function control that allows her to wait while I get a diaper!), and I was okay dealing with that. Thursday night, out of the blue, Mackenzie agreed when I suggested she try to poop on the potty. And she did! Well, a little at least. I knew it wasn't, well...enough...but hey, it's a start! She has since done it a couple more times, getting more comfortable each time.
Maybe a little too comfortable, judging by her declaration in this video...
(Yes, she will want to kill me for this someday, so I am making a mental note to remove it before she gets old enough to be embarrassed by it. In fact, this entire post should probably be made private at some point in the future...)
I am SO incredibly proud of my big girl. I am also very proud of my Addison, who has handled all the extra attention directed at M with very little drama. I know she will be ready before too long, and she will get her turn with the attention and praise.
While we can't throw out the diapers just yet, diapering only one child (plus honoring the occasional request for a diaper from Mackenzie) is already much easier on the wallet and on this mama and daddy. These are exciting days in our house!
10.12.2011
Potty training may be the death of me
I swore to myself a long time ago that I would NOT stress out about potty training. I would not get all worked up trying to get them to train on my schedule, and I wouldn't rush the process. Other milestones have been relatively easy for us, so I thought if I just let it happen in its own time, surely potty training would be too.
To which I now say: HAAAAAAAAA.
I realize that A & M are still relatively young; there are lots of kids who are not potty trained at two and a half. I'm still choosing not to stress and still trying to believe that the girls will use the potty when they're ready.
See, the thing is, I think they ARE ready...they just don't want to do it.
The girls have an interest in wearing "big-girl panties" and they seem to be tired of wearing diapers (they fuss about the diaper fitting wrong, etc.). They know all about the process of using the potty, and Mackenzie had a day or two last week when she went and was excited about it. The biggest sign that tells me they are physically ready, though, is the fact that their diapers are staying dry so often and so consistently.
Both girls wake up every single morning with dry diapers...and they sleep an average of twelve hours a night! They hold it several hours at a time during the day, often not even needing a diaper change during school hours. Mackenzie especially will tell us when she pees, and will often demand a new diaper immediately.
Even with all these signs, and even with the offer of nearly any treat imaginable...they STILL don't even want to talk about using the potty. And if they happen to be in panties and need to poop, forget it...they are going to beg for a diaper. Ahhhhhh, so frustrating!! They're ready physically, but not mentally, I guess?
So what should I do? Is it time for a potty-training boot camp, where I just throw out the diapers and spend a few days letting them feel the consequences of not using the potty? (I feel like Mackenzie is even closer to being ready than Addison...she even wore panties overnight and stayed dry one time last week...so I'm not opposed to doing it one at a time.)
Ideas? Opinions? Suggestions?
Help me!!
To which I now say: HAAAAAAAAA.
I realize that A & M are still relatively young; there are lots of kids who are not potty trained at two and a half. I'm still choosing not to stress and still trying to believe that the girls will use the potty when they're ready.
See, the thing is, I think they ARE ready...they just don't want to do it.
The girls have an interest in wearing "big-girl panties" and they seem to be tired of wearing diapers (they fuss about the diaper fitting wrong, etc.). They know all about the process of using the potty, and Mackenzie had a day or two last week when she went and was excited about it. The biggest sign that tells me they are physically ready, though, is the fact that their diapers are staying dry so often and so consistently.
Both girls wake up every single morning with dry diapers...and they sleep an average of twelve hours a night! They hold it several hours at a time during the day, often not even needing a diaper change during school hours. Mackenzie especially will tell us when she pees, and will often demand a new diaper immediately.
Even with all these signs, and even with the offer of nearly any treat imaginable...they STILL don't even want to talk about using the potty. And if they happen to be in panties and need to poop, forget it...they are going to beg for a diaper. Ahhhhhh, so frustrating!! They're ready physically, but not mentally, I guess?
So what should I do? Is it time for a potty-training boot camp, where I just throw out the diapers and spend a few days letting them feel the consequences of not using the potty? (I feel like Mackenzie is even closer to being ready than Addison...she even wore panties overnight and stayed dry one time last week...so I'm not opposed to doing it one at a time.)
Ideas? Opinions? Suggestions?
Help me!!
12.07.2010
Bodily (Dis)functions
Every school day when the girls and I get home in the afternoon, I look through their lunchboxes for the art project of the day and to find the report from their MDO teacher. Pretty much every day it looks like this:
Occasionally, if they haven't been feeling well, the note might say they picked at lunch or didn't take a good nap. Thankfully, for both us and the teacher, those days are very rare.
However, one part of their daily report is exactly the same, without fail.
My kids have never pooped at school. Not even once.
Once I started thinking about this phenomenon, I realized how little Addison and Mackenzie actually poop somewhere other than our house or my mom's. It is not often. I can easily count on my two hands the number of dirty diapers I have changed in store or restaurant bathrooms. Granted, we aren't out and about too often, but we aren't exactly homebodies either.
I have gone off without my diaper bag numerous times, but unlike some people I know, I don't freak out and turn around to go get it. Now I realize why...more than likely, my girls won't have diaper explosions while we are away from home.
It's becoming clear to me that they just might have issues pooping in public.
Now, I don't want to go into too much detail here, but have you ever heard the expression "They get it honestly"? Around here, we say it when referring to something a child does that is just like their parents. It's a trait they get 'honestly' from one parent or the other.
Let's just say that Addison & Mackenzie get this poop thing honestly...especially from their dad. We have had to rearrange plans on more than one occasion to accomodate someone's issues with public restrooms.
If the girls really have inherited this...quirk...potty training should be lots of fun. We won't leave the house for months!
Occasionally, if they haven't been feeling well, the note might say they picked at lunch or didn't take a good nap. Thankfully, for both us and the teacher, those days are very rare.
However, one part of their daily report is exactly the same, without fail.
My kids have never pooped at school. Not even once.
Once I started thinking about this phenomenon, I realized how little Addison and Mackenzie actually poop somewhere other than our house or my mom's. It is not often. I can easily count on my two hands the number of dirty diapers I have changed in store or restaurant bathrooms. Granted, we aren't out and about too often, but we aren't exactly homebodies either.
I have gone off without my diaper bag numerous times, but unlike some people I know, I don't freak out and turn around to go get it. Now I realize why...more than likely, my girls won't have diaper explosions while we are away from home.
It's becoming clear to me that they just might have issues pooping in public.
Now, I don't want to go into too much detail here, but have you ever heard the expression "They get it honestly"? Around here, we say it when referring to something a child does that is just like their parents. It's a trait they get 'honestly' from one parent or the other.
Let's just say that Addison & Mackenzie get this poop thing honestly...especially from their dad. We have had to rearrange plans on more than one occasion to accomodate someone's issues with public restrooms.
If the girls really have inherited this...quirk...potty training should be lots of fun. We won't leave the house for months!
9.22.2010
Lady Luck
I am starting to think Jeremy and I need to make a trip over the Mississippi line to the casinos in Tunica while we are in Memphis next month... I have won prizes in THREE online giveaways in the past week! I won the new Tinkerbell movie from the Multiples and More blog party, then I won a necklace from Lani's giveaways. In addition to those, I won a free photography session from a college friend who has started her own business. (I am ridiculously excited about letting the girls watch Tinkerbell, by the way. Every time it comes on, they point to the tv and grin.)
If only my girls weren't suffering from their first ear infections, I might say this was my luckiest week ever. The poor things had runny noses over the weekend, then have had a couple of rough days this week. Yesterday, Mackenzie had a fever and just really was not herself at all, so we went to the doctor. She has infection in both ears, and Addison has it in one. They got a prescription for antibiotics and numbing drops, and after a battle with the pharmacy and the insurance company, we headed home for a night of suprisingly good rest for all of us. (WHY is it so hard to understand that yes, my two children have the same birthdate...it's called TWINS, people!) After spending the previous two nights holding Addison all night long, sleep was much needed. Addison was well enough to go to school today, but Mackenzie stayed home to rest another day. Addison was excited to get to school and gave her teacher "love", while Mackenzie was mad that she had to stay home. Jeremy reported that she was carrying her lunchbox around the house this morning. It makes me so happy that they love their school...even if it did lead to their first ear infections. Seventeen and a half months without one was pretty good, I think.
In other kid news, Mackenzie has begun telling us when she is using the bathroom. We have been teaching her to say "pee-pee" and "poo-poo" (yes, because it's funny...I never said we were mature), and she is catching on to the concept. Twice on Sunday, she came over and said "poo-poo" just before filling her diaper. Now, if we can get that warning to come more than five seconds before she starts doing the deed, we might be ready to talk about the potty. Which, oh Lord, I really don't even want to think about right now. Addison doesn't say the words, but she has definitely started letting us know also. She will grab at her diaper and start toward her bedroom when she's wet. I am in no rush to potty-train AT ALL, but I do find it encouraging that they are picking up on the concept and showing a little interest. Has anyone had any luck with early training? Actually, I would prefer an easy potty-training experience over an early one, hands down.
Oh, and hey! Now that y'all guessed Jeremy and I are going to Memphis in a couple of weeks, I need restaurant recommendations. I have the Rendevous on my list, but what else do I need to check out while I'm there? After all, food is the most important part of any vacation, at least in my book. I've seen Memphis barbecue mentioned on the Food Network, so we will probably find at least one restaurant along those lines. Other than that, I'm pretty clueless about Memphis. I have only been to there once before, despite having an aunt who lived in a nearby suburb, and all I remember is the pyramid and the zoo. Help me out!
If only my girls weren't suffering from their first ear infections, I might say this was my luckiest week ever. The poor things had runny noses over the weekend, then have had a couple of rough days this week. Yesterday, Mackenzie had a fever and just really was not herself at all, so we went to the doctor. She has infection in both ears, and Addison has it in one. They got a prescription for antibiotics and numbing drops, and after a battle with the pharmacy and the insurance company, we headed home for a night of suprisingly good rest for all of us. (WHY is it so hard to understand that yes, my two children have the same birthdate...it's called TWINS, people!) After spending the previous two nights holding Addison all night long, sleep was much needed. Addison was well enough to go to school today, but Mackenzie stayed home to rest another day. Addison was excited to get to school and gave her teacher "love", while Mackenzie was mad that she had to stay home. Jeremy reported that she was carrying her lunchbox around the house this morning. It makes me so happy that they love their school...even if it did lead to their first ear infections. Seventeen and a half months without one was pretty good, I think.
In other kid news, Mackenzie has begun telling us when she is using the bathroom. We have been teaching her to say "pee-pee" and "poo-poo" (yes, because it's funny...I never said we were mature), and she is catching on to the concept. Twice on Sunday, she came over and said "poo-poo" just before filling her diaper. Now, if we can get that warning to come more than five seconds before she starts doing the deed, we might be ready to talk about the potty. Which, oh Lord, I really don't even want to think about right now. Addison doesn't say the words, but she has definitely started letting us know also. She will grab at her diaper and start toward her bedroom when she's wet. I am in no rush to potty-train AT ALL, but I do find it encouraging that they are picking up on the concept and showing a little interest. Has anyone had any luck with early training? Actually, I would prefer an easy potty-training experience over an early one, hands down.
Oh, and hey! Now that y'all guessed Jeremy and I are going to Memphis in a couple of weeks, I need restaurant recommendations. I have the Rendevous on my list, but what else do I need to check out while I'm there? After all, food is the most important part of any vacation, at least in my book. I've seen Memphis barbecue mentioned on the Food Network, so we will probably find at least one restaurant along those lines. Other than that, I'm pretty clueless about Memphis. I have only been to there once before, despite having an aunt who lived in a nearby suburb, and all I remember is the pyramid and the zoo. Help me out!
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