Thursday, May 1, 2008

Potty Training, Take 2 (sort of...)

You'd think that at this point in my children's lives, I would realize that they are very different. And, that because of those differences, I need to tailor my parenting to their uniqueness. For some reason that lesson hasn't totally sunk in yet...

With T-Man, potty training was very straightforward. I told him that there were no more diapers for him, put him in undewear, and then off to the potty we went. I reminded him to go, I didn't have to make it fun--he just did his thing, hopped off, got dressed, washed his hands, DONE. After a week, we had a few accidents, but for the most part we were finished.

With Fearless?...umm, not so much straightforward...in fact, it's totally a game. Remember my last post saying we were taking a break for my sanity's sake?? Well, Fearless has decided that now that mommy's not into it, HE is going to be into it, so he's been asking to use the potty, is successful, etc. (As long as I read his Elmo potty book to him!) I suppose he just wants to go about it his way.

While I don't think this is anything to battle about, my biggest fear is his approach to the whole situation. I think I'm going to have to get much better at making him think that what I want him to do is really HIS idea. I think if I don't become expert in that, I could be in for serious trouble during the teenage years!

3 comments:

Joni said...

Oh, potty training. I think that may be the ultimate lesson in how different kids can be. Maggie was like Tate...one week and done. We started Nora about 3 weeks ago and I think we may finally have it down (crossing my fingers). Of course, she is 3 months younger than Maggie was when we trained her. Now I'll be asking you for advice on training a boy when it's time to train Henry Max!

Lacy said...

Isn't that always the truth, that kids want opposite of what we the parents want. No matter what combination of clothing options I give Josie she always chooses the one I like least.

abi said...

ooohhhh...potty training horrors. Going #1 wasn't too bad for Zane. I did the whole "naked" thing. Probably easier to do when they are your only kid. He had #1 down well before 3 years old. #2 however...holy cow. It was almost a year. He was almost 4. He just would not do it until he was ready. The Dr. told me that it was normal for boys to not do that all the way up to 5 years old! Can you imagine?! Once he decided, no accidents, no problems.

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