Potty Training Boot Camp

Mommy hood brings you many moments of "OK...I will remember this forever". The first time they clap, or laugh, or smile...their first word, the first time they sleep through the night....the first day of school....the list goes on and on. Today...the whole day...was one of those moments. It's a coming of age thing for every mom, and every child, really.

Using the Potty. Potty Training. Or, as most folks call it, HELL.

It's only "hell" because your patience is tested and and you know going into it what a long road lies ahead. It's daunting, but it's forever, and one of those things that if you don't do it, your kiddo will be the one sitting in church on Easter, wearing his seersucker suit and wetting his pants at 36 years old. We just can't have that....momma wants grandchildren and what woman wants to marry a man who wets the bed?

But I digress.

So, when faced with such struggles I always call in my team of moms who have recently gone before me on such matters as "when to do the big boy bed", "pottying", etc.

This time, MH was called in. As the mom of 3 boys (well behaved and respectful, I might add) I asked her what the strategy should be. Next thing you know, we got a book in the mail: "Potty Training 1, 2, 3". It's by 2 doctors who live in Mt. Pleasant, SC and it's short and sweet.

There's really only 1 main thing taught here: DON'T REWARD FOR USING THE POTTY, REWARD FOR STAYING CLEAN AND DRY. Big difference from our instincts which tell us to raise the roof every time the little one goes tee in the potty. Big difference.

So, armed with Pull Ups, and a 2 ft. Woody (from Toy Story) doll (so Patton could "teach" him how to use the potty and watch as he ate chocolate chips for being dry) we were on our way. We cleared our schedules and did everything by the book.

We woke up, put on our big boy pants, offered Woody some tasty juice, and waited. After a few minutes we checked to see if Woody was dry. Indeed he was. We rewarded him with chocolate chips. A few minutes later, it was time for Woody to sit. He did, and (after mommy put water in the bowl) he used the potty. DOUBLE chips for that.

Patton was intrigued.

We repeated this whole process, but on the actual child this time and low and behold it worked like a CHARM. He was excited, sister was excited (even though he had a wild one and ended up tee teeing on her dress for lack of aim) and mommy was excited.

This went on all day. ALL DAY.

When all was said in done he had tee teed 9 times in the potty, and pooed once. He tee teed 3 times in his pants, and pooed once. So, as calculated by daddy, he had a 71% success rate.

Not too shabby.

When the babies went to bed, mommy ran to the store and brought home more pull ups, m&m's for treats, and this.....a cookie cake. The latter is for me and only me:) I earned it.....

Now, only 35 more years to go and he'll be squared away....

:)