Potty Training 101: Day Two and beyond

Day One advice and suggestions were posted here.

Well if you make it to day two, then buckle down. This has typically been the most difficult day.

It is filled with accidents, just like day one. Though your child might experience some success by the end of this day. They might pee on the potty at least once or twice.

But I warn you that your frustration level AND their frustration level might run high. If you can plan day two on a weekend, then a spouse can pitch in or at least provide some support!

Just keep at it. Lots of liquid. Potty sitting every 30-45 minutes. M-M's to get them to stay on the potty.

Goal: Get them used to the feeling of "peeing in the air" while on the potty as best you can!

Our stories

I hardly remember much about K's second day. I do know that I was ready to rip my hair out and she was upset about the accidents.

I know that my husband stayed home with T on Day Two while K and I went out to breakfast. He is more patient and it worked out well. She experienced success after he kept her on the potty for about 1.5 hours. CRAZY. But she was so excited and things went uphill from there!

D was my only child to have success on Day One, so Day Two was pretty good! He had some accidents, but he really began to "get it". He would start to pee in his underwear, but then he learned to hold it and get to the potty! It was GREAT!

Day Three

Typically this is the day that success kicks in. It is rewarding for everyone involved. Something seems to "click" and your child will begin to use the potty!

The goal: At this point the goal is peeing on the potty!

Now, some children will be able to use the potty on command. Others will be successful when they "feel" the need to go. There are advantages both ways and disadvantages as well. Go with what your child needs.

Stay home
Stay off the phone and computer
Stay focused.

This is the day that things will start to kick in.

Day Four and Beyond

You marked off two weeks on that calendar. Don't be tempted to go out somewhere. You need the full two weeks of a potty on hand to make sure your child really gets it! That is often hard for me. D "got it" so quickly that I was ready to go do things. DON'T. Let it sink it and let other things progress.

As your child progresses, work on walking slowly to the potty in order to help them learn to hold it. Eventually the potty can go in the bathroom and you can take your time to get there.

You'll probably be able to play outside in your yard at some point. I think I took a potty outside with me for awhile.

Keep a potty close by!!!!

The next goal will be to get rid of the little potty. We begin to use the regular potty by the end of week three so they'll be able to handle the potty elsewhere without having to have a little one. I have a great fold out seat that I can take with me to public restrooms that makes the hole "smaller" for awhile. Work toward the end of the little potty!
*Obviously, this is personal preference. If you like the little potty at home, then keep it around. You'll just want to make sure they can use the big one for when you are out. Because after two weeks, it is time to go out!

Eventually you will make it to friends houses and other places with IMMEDIATE access to a potty. With D, we even made it to gymnastics class every Thursday because there was a bathroom right there in the waiting room.

Keep potty use in the forefront of your mind. Remind your child to use the potty at frequent intervals throughout the day. After 2 weeks when you are ready to leave the house, always take the to the potty first!

Final Thoughts

Poop.ie on the potty is a whole different ball game. It comes in its own time. I won't embarrass my kids with names...one of them got it in three days and never had another accident at night or nap or anytime again. The other two used their pull up at nap time for quite some time.

Nighttime is a different ball game in this house and it isn't something we push at all. At potty training time, we do switch over to regular cups after 4 PM to encourage less liquid. At some point we move our two year old to a big bed and that allows the freedom to use the potty as needed.

Maybe this method will work for someone out there and encourage you to hang in there! Feel free to email me on day two when you need someone to remind you to STICK WITH IT!

Potty Training 101: Day One

We just "finished" potty training D, our 2 year old. Each of my children has been potty trained before 2.5 years old. And so tons of folks ask us how we do it.

I often hesitate to share our method because it isn't for everyone. Some of you will think I am nuts. Some of you will think I am mean. Some of you will think it is brilliant and will give it a whirl.

Just keep in mind that this is what works for us. It suits my "get things done" personality, my schedule, and our parenting. If it begins to rubs you wrong, don't read the rest! But I will assure you that the friends who have jumped on board and done the same thing have been so glad! So I am going to go ahead and share the family potty training method.

The Basics

YOU determine when potty training will commence and there is NO alternative and NO turning back. This date is picked at your convenience at a time when you will commit to TWO weeks of staying home. (clearly this eliminates anyone working full or part time unless you take some time off)

Unlike popular theories of "waiting till your child shows interest", you just pick a date between the ages of 2 and 2.5 years that will work for you. Mark two weeks off the calendar and don't make ANY plans.

(this is where most folks lose it because it is hard to be focused on this and home for 2 weeks. It was tough for us with child number 3 because numbers 1 and 2 didn't want to be home all day)

Basically, the diapers just go away. BAM! Gone. Your child wakes up and from that day forward, there is only underwear.

(In our house, naptime and nighttime are the exception and we use a diaper or pull up. My cousin does the whole thing at once with success, but I don't have that level of patience)

Day One
1. Have your little potties in the main rooms, easily accessible.

2. Have a stack of pants, underwear, and socks ready in a main area. You are going to need a lot of clothing changes today and you don't want to have to frustrate yourself by running to bedrooms for them.

3. Have M-M's around. I use these on day one just to keep my child on the potty when I KNOW he/she has to go and can't make it happen. Some folks use them as rewards for success, but I wouldn't do that on Day One because you aren't going to see lots of success.

4. Pick out a bunch of books to read on the potty and have them within reach of the potty area.

5. DVD's and VHS tapes as well as TV shows will be your FRIEND for the next 2-3 days. Just accept it. If you normally have big time limits on TV, as do we, then try to let that go for the next few days.

6. Continually keep your child's sippy cup filled with liquid - ALL DAY LONG! Keep them drinking constantly because you want them to have to go to the potty constantly. Give them their favorite drink. Once again, typical limits on juice and such aren't enforced!

There aren't any real rules for this day. Just expect a lot of accidents and frustration. It is tough, but hang in there. Each of my children have been totally different and I have had to "go with the flow" for each one.

Don't expect your child to make it to the potty AT ALL on day one. (I know that shocks many folks who then quit because their child doesn't "seem ready", but only one of mine made it to the potty on day one)

Keep sitting them on the potty every 30-45 minutes and praise them for sitting there and trying. You'll begin to see how often they need to go after drinking a sippy cup of liquid.

Our stories

With K, we talked about the potty for days and had it around. We read books about the potty and had her "prepared" for the change. She had played with her underwear and was quite excited about the whole thing. She did NOT like being messy and that helped. Yet she never made it to the potty all day.

T loved watching TV and that helped keep her on the potty. Unfortunately, she would stand up, walk away and then go to the bathroom. It drove us insane that she would walk away from the potty and then go. AHHHHH! AND she was NOT upset about being completely soaking wet. Sometimes I didn't even notice she had gone until I saw her pants were soaked. This scared me because you often hear that it means the child isn't ready. But we stuck it out.

D was upset about the whole thing. He wanted his diaper on and cried and cried when I put on underwear. I tried three types and finally let him go without underwear and he wore just his sweatpants.

(His protests didn't change the date of training - you just go with whatever they throw at you)

He was the ONLY child to make it to the potty one or two times on Day One. That is because I physically held him there against his will when I KNEW he had to go. I bribed him with M-M's and then just held him on the potty while encouraging him to go. He was so thrilled (and shocked) when he did.

Hints for Day One

1. Keep it upbeat. NEVER punish for an accident. NEVER yell or get frustrated. Just say, "Opps. Let's get you changed." Continually praise and encourage them just for sitting on the potty!!!!

2. Expect accidents ALL DAY LONG or you will get frustrated, which you shouldn't do. (see hint #1)

3. Try to get your child to sit on the potty every 30 minutes or so. During the day, monitor the length of time from when they drink a cup full of liquid to when they have to go to the bathroom.

4. If you have older children, see if you can't have them play at a neighbors. Or have a friend come over with children their ages to play with them while you focus on your potty trainer.

5. The goal of this day is that your child becomes aware of the physical "feeling" of going to the bathroom. The diaper hides that feeling really well and they are about to experience for the first time. It might scare them, upset them, or the might ignore it. But they will get it!

MOST OF ALL...
stay IN the house
OFF the phone
OFF the computer
and stay focused on the task at hand.

And get ready because Day Two is often much more frustrating!!!!

(This post has gotten long, so I'll do the rest in a post tomorrow)

My Eight

Shawntele tagged me awhile ago with the "My Top 8 Things" meme and I have been meaning to get to it.

So here goes...

The Rules Are As Follows
1. Mention the person that tagged you.
2. Complete the list of 8's
3. Tag 8 other bloggers
4. Tell them they have been tagged.

8 Things I Look Forward To
1. meeting baby #4 - June 26th.
2. laughing with my kids
3. getting D (age 2) out of his crib in the AM. he is so darn cute.
4. our homeschool studies continuing in the fall
5. quiet time in the evenings with my hubby
6. quiet time during the day in The Bible
7. talking on the phone to good friends
8. the return of Jesus! (I agree Shawntele!)

8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. got my haircut
2. took the girls to their last gymnastics class
3. blogged
4. played cars with D when he asked, "Come play cars with me mom" in that cute 2 year old voice
5. watched Curious George episodes with the girls
6. rested while a friend took my kids to the swing set out back
7. assured my husband that nothing is wrong and I am just tired
8. had hubby bring me a Rita's

8 Things I Wish I Could Do
1. sing well
2. get a full night's sleep
3. read, sleep, and blog at the same time
4. afford a babysitter several times a week
5. be a pregnant woman with tons of energy in the last month
6. be a foster mom
7. cook well
8. understand the choices some people have made

8 Shows I Watch
1. CSI: Vegas
2. Greys Anatomy (on the CSI: Vegas commercials only - amazing how little of that show you actually have to see to keep up)
3. Criminal Minds
4. CSI: Miami (reruns only)
5. NCIS - seems to be on constantly these days - rerun after rerun
6. Law and Order reruns
7. Law and Order SVU reruns
8. Project Runway...when will this return???
(yeah, I basically only watch TV on random occasions so it is usually reruns)

I'll pass on tagging anyone, but feel free to grab it if you want!

Wordless Wednesday: Big Raft = Big Fun

It was a great Memorial Day weekend with family and friends and that was just part of it!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
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K (age 6): Mom, I read the word spitefully.
Mom: Wow. That is a big word. Do you know what it means?
K: No. It says the goblin laughed spitefully.
Mom: That is laughing in a mean way.
K: Like Goliath.
Mom: Great example! You are right. Goliath would have laughed spitefully.
K: But we don't really know that he laughed.
(I love the growing vocabulary that reading provides!)
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T (age 4): How do people die?
(this gal always drives us into very interesting conversations)
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D (age 2): I go pee-pee!
(YAAAAY for potty training)
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K (age 6): Mommy. I miss my Explode the Code.
(seriously???)
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T learned to swim underwater this weekend using snorkel gear. The snorkel gear took away the "water up the nose" issue and she could just kick and paddle underwater as long as she wanted with no worries. She love it!

Of course, now she is convinced that "the snorkel makes me float".
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Your turn:
(The code for the Mr. Linky is here, but the site is having major issues, especially for "standard" members. If the Linky doesn't show up, just leave a comment with your blog address so I can come by!)

Bible Class

My children and I were able to participate in a great bible study program this year. Each Tuesday morning while I attended bible study with a small group of about 15 women, my children were lovingly cared for and taught about God and His Word.

D (age 2) mainly played in the nursery. There was a theme for his room each week and he occasionally did a coloring page.

T (age 4) completed a craft, bible story, and memory work. She also had some great play time with unique games and activities.

K (age 6) attended an amazing bible class for homeschooled students in K - 5th grades. The completed an in depth study of the Old Testament, Genesis through Joshua. I am overwhelmed and amazed by the amount she learned. This class has provided an amazing springboard for some great discussions in our home. Of course, they made a craft each week and had some great game time together as well.

The last bible study was a celebration time. Each age group performed for the moms. My girls were so excited about this! As was I! There is truly nothing as precious as your children being excited about God's Word and what they have learned.

T's class learned two songs to perform for us. The first song was Zacchaeus. She finally sees me near the end of the song - so cute!



Next was, "I am in the Lord's Army".



K's class completed an amazing amount of memory work during the year. For the closing celebration, they recited the books of the bible:



They had also memorized Hebrews 11:1-9. Each child (or group of children) recited a different verse:

"By faith, Noah when warned about things not yet seen built an ark in holy fear to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."



It was a great year! I can't wait for next year. We have already kept our schedule free on Tuesdays so we won't miss this precious time.

Mostly Wordless Wednesday

Only a kid with the name, Ka.yleigh would come up with these phonics:


(We need you badleigh daddy)

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday helps parents focus on one of the many joys of parenting - the funny things that our little ones (and sometimes big ones) have to say.

Join in the fun and record the Tiny Talk overheard in your house! Publish a post on your blog and link us to the laughs. Then be sure to link to the blog carnival on this post so more bloggers can join in the fun.

The guidelines can be found here if you need them.
___________________________________________

T (age 4) informed me the other day that, "We don't know what people taste like because we don't eat people."
____________________________________________

T (age 4) and K (age 6) were playing Barbies in the tub at their Grandma's. Grandma relayed the following conversation:

T: This Barbie died. (threw Barbie out of the tub)
K: Why did that Barbie die?
T: 'Cause God choose her to die. (and she left the Barbie out of the tub for the rest of the bathtime)
(wow. that was deep theology there.)
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T's full name is actually Pat.rici.a Ela.ine and D's full name is Dav.id Ga.rner.

When D (age 2) got mad at his sister the other day, he yelled, "Patri.cia Ela.ine Garn.er" at her.
(Yes this mommy is guilty of yelling the full names when I mean business!)
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Your Turn:

Adventures in Pregnancy

Each pregnancy has come with its own set of adventures and this one is no exception.

I have been experiencing some internal pain near my right hip for about a week. It felt like the baby kicked me and literally gave me a bruise INSIDE. OUCH! Everytime the baby gets near that spot, I cringe.

Slowly, but surely the pain has gotten worse.

Until, doubled over in pain, I ended up in the hospital on Saturday night.

Thankfully the baby was fine and doing great. After bloodwork, an ultrasound, and various other tests it was determined that I was doing fine too.

I was sent home on some pain medication and told to take it easy. I have lived on the sofa with a heating pad on an off since that time. My mother yells at me if I get up to get anything. In fact, she is here with the kids today so my body can continue to heal.

Apparently, it won't heal if you don't rest.

Hmmmmm.....

But, I was 1 cm dilated and 40% effaced on Saturday night. Apparently this can be typical at 34 weeks with a fourth pregnancy. But just in case, I will be returning to the midwife today. We want to make sure these Braxton Hics aren't "real" contractions that are causing my body to progress.

So what else have we been up to in these last 2 weeks?

I attended a homeschool convention (this was BEFORE the pain kicked in)

my hubby replaced the shutters and planted some grass

we potty trained little D (can't have 2 in diapers again)

we ended our school year (except a little math)

and K and I attended our county review for the year and were given the GREEN LIGHT to continue homeschooling.

Busy? Yes.

But now I just sit and stare at the things I should be doing. My main task is keeping this baby happy and his mommy feeling good.

Library Adventures

"Mussss - liiiim"

"Iiiiiis - laaammme"

I heard my daughter, K, reading a story to her siblings in the other room.

Muslim? Islam? What on earth is she reading?

I walked around the corner. We had just gone to the library and the books were scattered around the room. Three children were sitting in the midst of the pile.

K, what are you reading?

She holds up the book.



Uh...why don't you let mommy take over this one for you?

A nice reminder for mommy to scan those books BEFORE they come home with us! I was a bit distracted that trip and four came home with us that I didn't scan.

Thankfully, it was harmless and a bit comical this time!

One of "those" people

I am 34 weeks pregnant today and boy do I know it. My right hip is in so much pain. This baby must hit or kick it constantly. I think the baby sits right on the hip or something.

I am certain I have a bruise. Maybe two in that area inside my body.

And boy does it hurt.

So as I was washing dishes today, thinking about the horrible pain I was in, I thought to myself:

Why on earth do people keep doing this to themselves over and over? I just don't know how they do it.

Then it occurred to me.

Perhaps being on my fourth pregnancy in 6 years qualifies me as one of "those people" who just "keep doing this".

I laughed.

Tonight I'll sit and rub my hip and assure myself that I will get through this yet again!

Vacation. Day Six.

After some time at a local science center in Daytona, we hit the beach.

So in no particular order...our day at the beach:

















D is not sad in this one...he wants someone to trace his head in the sand:





What a GREAT time!

Wordless Wednesday: Boys will be boys

A boy and his dirt...

a mommy and her new camera...






Pure joy for boy.

Pure joy for mommy.