Modern Mom: Potty Pressure

Finally. My daughter has indicated her interest in potty training, which, according to my pediatrician, is our green light to put her in underpants. I discussed it with her preschool teachers and they seem more than ready for the challenge. They told me that they trained 10 kids in one week a few months ago. I was delighted to hear that; if they could do 10 in one week, they could probably do my one in a day (can’t hurt to dream)! So this morning, we took our first ride to school with my daughter in her panties, and wouldn’t you know it, we got stuck in a major traffic jam. We were stalled for about two minutes, when I heard the words I was dreading from the back seat, “momma, I need to go poop.” There was no turning around, and no way to get out of the traffic line. So I tried to cajole, to reason, to guide, and to bribe my daughter to wait until we got to school. And it worked! We ran into school where I deposited my daughter, four extra changes of clothes, and six pairs of panties. And I have to admit, this is one day when I am glad she’s in child care. I can’t wait to see how much progress she makes during the day…I hope it’s enough so that our ride home is stress…and mess…free.

CommuterMom: Milestone

CommuterDad and I had a milestone moment with CommuterGirl today. We went shopping for big girl underwear.

CommuterGirl has been using the potty every once-in-a-while. She has been pretending to wear a pull-up like some of the children in her class – she tries to take off her diaper without undoing the tabs. Over the weekend I talked to her about how she could wear big-girl underwear when she started to use the potty. Well, this morning, she said she wanted underwear. Of course, we had none. So, after school today we went to Target and she got to pick out whichever pair she wanted. The first pair that caught her eye was the “choo choo” underwear. But, unfortunately, they don’t make train underwear for girls. Luckily, she then spotted her favorite, Curious George. Underwear in hand, she walked through the store and told anyone who would listen (and some who didn’t) “I have underwear.”

I’m really nervous about potty training, but her teachers are wonderful and are very open and willing to have her come to school in underwear and work with us to get her out of diapers entirely. Thank goodness they aren’t afraid of accidents. Of course, they recommended that we send LOTS of extra clothes – including a change of shoes.

On the one hand, I’m thrilled the end of diapers is nearing. On the other…my baby girl is growing up. Next thing you know, I’ll be taking her to pick out her first bra.

CommuterMom: Potty

CommuterGirl is very interested in the potty. At school she goes with the older toddlers in her class to the potty every day…she sits…she “tries”…but nothing yet. At home she likes to follow me to the bathroom and see what’s going on. I really think she just likes to pull the toilet paper off of the roll.

So, now what? CommuterGirl is 22 months old. We bought her a potty seat; do we keep sitting her on it and just wait until she does something? How long do we let her sit there doing nothing? Five minutes, 10? Do we wait until she asks to go potty or do we decide when she goes potty? I’m going to have to make a visit to the bookstore sometime soon to do some reading.

Maybe we should have tried to raise a diaper-free baby. Although, as a working mom, I have no idea how we could have attempted that one. Talk about an unrealistic request in a group care setting!