Potty Power

Potty Training. I mean how hard can it be, right? Sure you're trying to change a habit for a kid that has never had to really rethink going pee in his pants for all the years of his mortal life, but who likes the soggy feel of a wet diaper on their bottom? When they feel the dry comforts of cotton undies it ought-ta be an easy adjustment.

I have to admit I was a bit shocked when Braylon arrived with more diapers then clothes. I had assumed that  by getting a three year old we would be pass the diaper/potty training stage. Probably more selfishly then wanting to help I began planning out the potty training debut from the moment I pulled out a package of Mickey Mouse underwear from the DCFS goodie sack.

The day after Braylon arrived he asked to wear his Mickey Mouse underwear. We tried it out but had two accidents and diapers went right back on. I didn't know enough about the whole process to help and I figured we needed to wait until after a weekend spent up in Heber.

Well with the stomach flu potty training got moved to yesterday. I read up on the "Potty Training In a Day" and really liked a few sites (http://www.thenaturalmommy.com/2009/07/31/potty-training-in-a-day/). After printing off a Lightning McQueen Potty Chart from Pinterest I figured I was ready to go, though Kurt had plenty of reservations. 

Friday November 16: 

I prayed earnestly that the Lord would help Braylon to pee in the potty at least once knowing that would be the start of our successful training. At 7:30 I woke up Braylon and was going to wait until after breakfast to start the undies but he had wet through his diaper so we started early. I set the timer so that we would know to visit Mr Toilet and practice the whole routine: pull down pants, sit on toilet, flush toilet, pull up pants, wash hands, dry hands and receive a treat. I felt like I was really fighting him just to get him to pull up and down his own underwear. 

Finally after some tears from both of us, a couple outfit changes and a McDonald's bride we heard pee pee hit the toilet water! And then there was rejoicing:

Finally a sticker was placed on the chart. Sadly it would be the only sticker for the day and more tears would be shed as well as a quick departure from McDonald's.

 Needless to say sleep was welcome by us both but I couldn't go to bed without first realizing that my prayer was answered, Braylon had experienced his first ever "I Went Potty!"

Saturday November 17:

I woke with a different outlook on how the potty training should go. Today I would simply set the timer and we would go sit in the potty every 15 mins but I wouldn't force the conversation to only be on  the potty and I would allow him to play in between our practice sessions.
Our progress was met with another sticker on the chart by one happy kid. By this time he was a pro at pulling up and down his pants.

Kurt came home from scout camp and got to help with a couple yucky accidents after a dry nap time. I was starting to feel a bit frustrated and had just been told by Braylon that he didn't want to go to the potty any more. Failure. When from heaven above I get a text from a neighbor friend asking if I wanted to borrow her DVD "Potty Power." I said yes and she dropped it off to me by 3:30ish that afternoon. I stuck in the movie and we watched it about 5 times. Braylon kept requesting me to play it again which I happily fulfilled. After dinner he went potty and received sticker #3 and then maybe 45 mins later Braylon came running in to me and said he needed to go potty and was shortly awarded sticker #4.

It may be a coincidence but I truly believe the movie sparked a desire in him to be independent and maybe gave him the excitement I just couldn't seem to ignite. Sure the constant trips before hand prepared him to know how to do the movements alone but I did nothing on his last potty except tell him to run to the potty. 

Again I feel my prayers were answered. I'm just so happy for the success of a cute 'lil boy that finally had something "click" today. May the smiley face stickers keep popping up on Lightning McQueen. 

And to any of you just starting out your potty training debuts...may God bless your soul and send you a neighbor with "Potty Powers."