As a potty reward Nugget and my daycare boy get a sticker and an M&M. This is a great incentive for them.
And as of this morning I realized its a great incentive for Meatball, my 8 month old, as well. Changing his dirty diaper I noticed something on his bottom. I wiped, but it stuck. I wiped again, still stuck. I touched it, pulled it, and then peeled it off. What was it? Oh, just a dog sticker that Nugget had received yesterday and proudly placed on his shirt.
Apparently my little man got hold of it and decided he could use a reward as well.Funny how the acids in his stomach didn't damage it at all.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
All You Need Is Pee
"Mommy, I poop on potty."
These five glorious words were the first ones my son utter this morning.
"You have to use the potty!"
"Yeah," he smiled, proudly running to the bathroom to sit on his throne.
And sure enough, there was pee. A lot of pee!
"I'm so proud of you," I beamed.
Inside I thought, this is it. This was my boost to get me back on track after a non-consistent potty day, due to my exhaustion and lack of motivation, yesterday. We're back on track, and taking one day off didn't impact my child as much as I worried it would.
I still never got around to looking into any of my potty training books, donated from authors who I've written articles on, or searching the Internet for potty training tips, and I still don't have much energy to tackle the potty again today. But I did find out why potty training for me might be a little harder than others, despite training two kids at once and dealing with an 8 month old who screams and carries on every time I put him down to put his brother on the potty, I've kept the potty in the bathroom, have gotten both boys to use the adult potty (easier clean up)but I have to pick them up to put them on and off every time, and taken all diapers and pull ups off leaving them "naked under their clothes," as my mother referred to it in horror yesterday.
"Your crazy," Baby Guru told me. "Put the potties in the living room, keep their pants off and let them go when they need to go."
In theory this sounds much easier. No trips carrying them over the living room gate, no on and off the potty, no on and off of pants, and extra laundry trips for the accidents, and no work on my part at all really, besides a little motivation, reminders and treats trips. But there's something about a potty on my living room rug, kids peeing beside their toys and my eight month old crawling around it that makes me think twice about the luxury and label myself a glutton for punishment. Besides, wouldn't the possible accidents on the carpet and little tinkles of the floor equal just as much work in the long run?
Going on Day #9 and feeling declined.
These five glorious words were the first ones my son utter this morning.
"You have to use the potty!"
"Yeah," he smiled, proudly running to the bathroom to sit on his throne.
And sure enough, there was pee. A lot of pee!
"I'm so proud of you," I beamed.
Inside I thought, this is it. This was my boost to get me back on track after a non-consistent potty day, due to my exhaustion and lack of motivation, yesterday. We're back on track, and taking one day off didn't impact my child as much as I worried it would.
I still never got around to looking into any of my potty training books, donated from authors who I've written articles on, or searching the Internet for potty training tips, and I still don't have much energy to tackle the potty again today. But I did find out why potty training for me might be a little harder than others, despite training two kids at once and dealing with an 8 month old who screams and carries on every time I put him down to put his brother on the potty, I've kept the potty in the bathroom, have gotten both boys to use the adult potty (easier clean up)but I have to pick them up to put them on and off every time, and taken all diapers and pull ups off leaving them "naked under their clothes," as my mother referred to it in horror yesterday.
"Your crazy," Baby Guru told me. "Put the potties in the living room, keep their pants off and let them go when they need to go."
In theory this sounds much easier. No trips carrying them over the living room gate, no on and off the potty, no on and off of pants, and extra laundry trips for the accidents, and no work on my part at all really, besides a little motivation, reminders and treats trips. But there's something about a potty on my living room rug, kids peeing beside their toys and my eight month old crawling around it that makes me think twice about the luxury and label myself a glutton for punishment. Besides, wouldn't the possible accidents on the carpet and little tinkles of the floor equal just as much work in the long run?
Going on Day #9 and feeling declined.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Can I Take A Day OFF? PTD # 8
I woke up tired, sore, and in the beginning stages of my period. Though I went to bed at nine my body feels as if I haven't slept in days. I'm dragging, two cups of coffee have yet to help me, the kids are cranky (probably because I'm not up to speed, and I'm trying to think of something to do to get the kids out of the house so that my husband can catch up on a little sleep since he worked til 1 am. All in all, I don't want to potty train today. I just want to put a pull up on my son and little daycare boy and let them go in them. Is that detrimental? Could one day of slacking demise my weeks worth of training? And how do I know when they're potty trained anyway? Is there a sign, a hidden clue, a motherly instinct that will tell me? Does simply asking to use the potty mean they're trained? How about dry pull ups after nap time or an afternoon out? Lack of accidents? Repulsion to diapers? Ability to flush? How will I know?
Do these questions mean I need to read the book? Or...maybe I could work my way through it again and do it on my own....hmmm...lets search the Internet and see what it says.
Do these questions mean I need to read the book? Or...maybe I could work my way through it again and do it on my own....hmmm...lets search the Internet and see what it says.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Have I Really Done It?..Potty Training Day 5
From the start of the week, tackling potty training on the morning after Superbowl (note to self: next time begin potty training after a full nights rest), I thought about giving up, putting it off, and breaking my promise to myself that I would not by another pack of diapers.
Yet, here I am, at the end of my work week, aka Day 5 of training both kids (mine and the little boy I watch)going through all the emotions in my mind. The lows, the highs, and the confidence that I can drop the twenty minute and wait for those words.
"Potty mommy."
At first these words were more of a manipulation. A manipulation to get out of time out, to get another treat, another sticker, another hug, and some time away from his little brother when he was acting up. But now, to my surprise, they're truthful. He speaks and we run, he sits, does his business, puts his seat away, flushes the toilet, and puts the top seat down. That's more than my husband!
It's been only 5 days and we've come so far. It wasn't easy, for me that is, my two year old seemed to think it was a joy (the treats and stickers, and I think his age, helped), and I know we're not at the end of our rope yet but at least I know we're close and that, just as I promised myself at my last trip to Waldbaums, I'm not going to buy another pack of diapers for my 2 year old again.
Now, if I could just say the same for my 8 month old who seems to go through a pack a day.
Yet, here I am, at the end of my work week, aka Day 5 of training both kids (mine and the little boy I watch)going through all the emotions in my mind. The lows, the highs, and the confidence that I can drop the twenty minute and wait for those words.
"Potty mommy."
At first these words were more of a manipulation. A manipulation to get out of time out, to get another treat, another sticker, another hug, and some time away from his little brother when he was acting up. But now, to my surprise, they're truthful. He speaks and we run, he sits, does his business, puts his seat away, flushes the toilet, and puts the top seat down. That's more than my husband!
It's been only 5 days and we've come so far. It wasn't easy, for me that is, my two year old seemed to think it was a joy (the treats and stickers, and I think his age, helped), and I know we're not at the end of our rope yet but at least I know we're close and that, just as I promised myself at my last trip to Waldbaums, I'm not going to buy another pack of diapers for my 2 year old again.
Now, if I could just say the same for my 8 month old who seems to go through a pack a day.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Blizzard of '10 Really Did Hit
So, I've given Long Island a hard time. I've made fun of it's snow ways, told it to "Pull up its panties" as it closed the gym and other things around town for a dusting of snow last Saturday, and stated that "Upstate wouldn't have even closed it's schools for what they're calling a massive snow storm." In fairness I am from Upstate, real Upstate, like Syracuse Upstate, not Westchester. And in Upstate we know snow. I've spent winters waking up to a dark sky filled with snow, spending all work day looking out the classroom window at the dark sky filled with snow, and went home, tucking myself in the couch with a warm blanket and bowl of beef stew, and looked out the window at the dark sky filled with snow. I've went days, sometimes months, without sunshine, and I've driven through streets whose snow piles were so high it felt like driving through a tunnel. So when my friends cancel a date because snow has grazed Beech Street and Waldbaum's lines take an hour just to reach the check out I tend to get a little bitter, and alright...maybe I feel a little superior. "Look at these people, are they serious," my husband and I laugh.
But yesterday Long Island gained my respect. The Blizzard of 2010, Snow-pocalypse, hit with a vengeance.
"I have to go to the beach," I said to my husband. "I want to see the waves. I want to take pictures."
"Have a blast," he sarcastically stated, wrapped under a warm, blanket with the kids.
My 16 year old dog, who turns into a young pup in the snow, got a special treat as I strapped on her leash and took her to the 'dog banned' beach.
I snapped pictures of the desolate streets of Park Avenue. I trudged through the unshovled sidewalks, snapped pictures of the now masked stop signs, snow covered hanging tree branches, snow capped fences, and finally, through the sting of the snow, and the 40 minute trek that normally 5, I reached the boardwalk and saw....the beach. At least that's what I know I saw. For anyone else who didn't live here it would have been a blur. The snow was so thick I could barely make out the waves that were crashing high above the jetties (is that how you spell jetties?). Surprisingly there where four other people on the beach with me. One man in a yellow jacket who strolled along, another woman who sat on a snow covered bench and look out on to the water, and another couple, with their dog, building snow men. I snapped and snapped, until my fingers grew numb and my eyes balls began to sting from the snow flakes that seemed to gravitate into my eyes. It took me another 40 minutes to walk home and another 20 to warm up.
And my pictures...well lets just say, the memories of what I saw turned out better than my pictures. Between all the snow flakes you can't make out anything. Guess I'll just have to go back down today and get some "after the storm" pictures. They'll probably be more pretty anyway.
But yesterday Long Island gained my respect. The Blizzard of 2010, Snow-pocalypse, hit with a vengeance.
"I have to go to the beach," I said to my husband. "I want to see the waves. I want to take pictures."
"Have a blast," he sarcastically stated, wrapped under a warm, blanket with the kids.
My 16 year old dog, who turns into a young pup in the snow, got a special treat as I strapped on her leash and took her to the 'dog banned' beach.
I snapped pictures of the desolate streets of Park Avenue. I trudged through the unshovled sidewalks, snapped pictures of the now masked stop signs, snow covered hanging tree branches, snow capped fences, and finally, through the sting of the snow, and the 40 minute trek that normally 5, I reached the boardwalk and saw....the beach. At least that's what I know I saw. For anyone else who didn't live here it would have been a blur. The snow was so thick I could barely make out the waves that were crashing high above the jetties (is that how you spell jetties?). Surprisingly there where four other people on the beach with me. One man in a yellow jacket who strolled along, another woman who sat on a snow covered bench and look out on to the water, and another couple, with their dog, building snow men. I snapped and snapped, until my fingers grew numb and my eyes balls began to sting from the snow flakes that seemed to gravitate into my eyes. It took me another 40 minutes to walk home and another 20 to warm up.
And my pictures...well lets just say, the memories of what I saw turned out better than my pictures. Between all the snow flakes you can't make out anything. Guess I'll just have to go back down today and get some "after the storm" pictures. They'll probably be more pretty anyway.
Potty Training Isn't Overnight
Maybe it's his age. Nugget just turned two in December and I'm potty training. Controversial I know. But this potty training isn't happening overnight. Is it his age, my method, or something else?
I know it will come in time, but I honestly don't want to do them steps things. You know, step one switch him to pull ups and practice, step two let him get the hang of the potty at home but keep him in pull ups when we go out, step three break the pull up cycle when we go out but keep them on at night, step four tackle the pull ups at night and prepare to go commando.
In an article I just wrote for Parenting, due our in the May issue, I interviewed Potty Training Expert and author of "Potty Train Your Child In Just One Day," Teri Crane. Her method was a one day diaper swoop, offering a 98% guarantee. In fairness to myself the article I wrote was on planning a potty party, an idea she recommends to successful training that works the first time. I interviewed and wrote about HOW to get your mommy friends together and throw a potty party together. (For my own vanity issues I needed to reiterate this fact in case you're wondering why I'm writing articles about potty training, yet struggling with questions about potty training my own son and day care boy). And now, as I'm in the thick of potty training I'm wondering how her idea would work on my two boys. Would throwing a potty party with their friends, and, okay, an excuse to get some moms to come over and entertain me. Hmmmm, maybe this should be a follow up for the magazines.
Moms, if this peeks your interest, and you'd be willing for you and your child's picture to be in a magazine, send me your info and I'll get back to you.
I know it will come in time, but I honestly don't want to do them steps things. You know, step one switch him to pull ups and practice, step two let him get the hang of the potty at home but keep him in pull ups when we go out, step three break the pull up cycle when we go out but keep them on at night, step four tackle the pull ups at night and prepare to go commando.
In an article I just wrote for Parenting, due our in the May issue, I interviewed Potty Training Expert and author of "Potty Train Your Child In Just One Day," Teri Crane. Her method was a one day diaper swoop, offering a 98% guarantee. In fairness to myself the article I wrote was on planning a potty party, an idea she recommends to successful training that works the first time. I interviewed and wrote about HOW to get your mommy friends together and throw a potty party together. (For my own vanity issues I needed to reiterate this fact in case you're wondering why I'm writing articles about potty training, yet struggling with questions about potty training my own son and day care boy). And now, as I'm in the thick of potty training I'm wondering how her idea would work on my two boys. Would throwing a potty party with their friends, and, okay, an excuse to get some moms to come over and entertain me. Hmmmm, maybe this should be a follow up for the magazines.
Moms, if this peeks your interest, and you'd be willing for you and your child's picture to be in a magazine, send me your info and I'll get back to you.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Asking Questions on Day 3
Obviously overjoyed at my progress last night I went to bed feeling fulfilled, only to wake up at 4 am with questions.
Potty training has turned out easy enough so far, but is that because we've been bound to the house. The cold air and, what Long Island calls, blizzards (I'm from Syracuse, school doesn't even close for these storms)have prevented us from taking any outside destinations. So, since I sign up for every library class they'll let me, and I find any means of getting these kids out of the house, how do I handle the potty training when we're out? Suddenly it seems that diapers might actually be easier.
"What about the trip to Philly in three weeks? Do we keep stopping?"
"No, we put a diaper on him for those," my husband replies, head buried in his pillow.
"But isn't that detrimental? Isn't that confusing him? I think once we're done, we're done."
"Stop. Stop where you are going and worry about it when it gets closer."
"Well, what about the stroller? The walks I take on the boardwalk." Keep in mind I haven't walked the boardwalk in over a year.
"They pee before and then after."
Sure to my husband this sounds easy, but for some reason I can't wrap my finger around it. It's like baby food. No one else seemed to have a problem with the simplicity of introducing rice cereal and baby food, but I did. I struggled over times. Should I give him rice cereal right after his bottle or should I wait? Should I give him baby food and then his bottle for lunch or vice verse?
Regardless, today I'm struggling with questions. Do I take the diaper off him at night too? Do I drive to the store and let him pick out his big boy underwear and toss away all pull ups by the end of the week? Would putting him in a pull up when we went to library class confuse him? Do I need to carry the potty seat with me when I do take them out? And what about these 20 minute intervals? How long until I can start spanning them out of waiting for him to tell me he has to go? Is this what I should be doing now?
Sigh. My head is full of questions that I could probably find in a book, but who has time to read a book? This coming from an author of two potty training articles. If my editor ever read this they'd probably kill me.
Potty training has turned out easy enough so far, but is that because we've been bound to the house. The cold air and, what Long Island calls, blizzards (I'm from Syracuse, school doesn't even close for these storms)have prevented us from taking any outside destinations. So, since I sign up for every library class they'll let me, and I find any means of getting these kids out of the house, how do I handle the potty training when we're out? Suddenly it seems that diapers might actually be easier.
"What about the trip to Philly in three weeks? Do we keep stopping?"
"No, we put a diaper on him for those," my husband replies, head buried in his pillow.
"But isn't that detrimental? Isn't that confusing him? I think once we're done, we're done."
"Stop. Stop where you are going and worry about it when it gets closer."
"Well, what about the stroller? The walks I take on the boardwalk." Keep in mind I haven't walked the boardwalk in over a year.
"They pee before and then after."
Sure to my husband this sounds easy, but for some reason I can't wrap my finger around it. It's like baby food. No one else seemed to have a problem with the simplicity of introducing rice cereal and baby food, but I did. I struggled over times. Should I give him rice cereal right after his bottle or should I wait? Should I give him baby food and then his bottle for lunch or vice verse?
Regardless, today I'm struggling with questions. Do I take the diaper off him at night too? Do I drive to the store and let him pick out his big boy underwear and toss away all pull ups by the end of the week? Would putting him in a pull up when we went to library class confuse him? Do I need to carry the potty seat with me when I do take them out? And what about these 20 minute intervals? How long until I can start spanning them out of waiting for him to tell me he has to go? Is this what I should be doing now?
Sigh. My head is full of questions that I could probably find in a book, but who has time to read a book? This coming from an author of two potty training articles. If my editor ever read this they'd probably kill me.
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