Previous to that we hadn't thought he was anywhere close to being ready for potty training (um, "potty learning"), but this new found awareness convinced us to pull out the toddler potty that a neighbor had passed on to us, as well as a couple of potty books that we picked up in the past few months.
We asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty, to which he enthusiastically replied "Yeah!" He sat there and we read him his potty books and, of course, nothing happened. He did remain interested though, and has done regular duty (no pun intended) on his 'seat'.
We are by no means pushing Lukas on this at this point, but rather letting him choose to try and use the potty when he feels like it. In the morning and before he goes to bed at night, we will ask him if he needs to use the potty, which he will usually reply "yes." He will push and grunt with "I'm giving it all I've got!" abandon (while Mrs. LIAYF and I attempt to stifle our laughs) and has, on several occasions, succeeded in his efforts.
However, we recognize that this is a far cry from him recognizing when he really has to go and letting us know beforehand, which he still doesn't do.
For now, though, it is a great start to basic training and gives us hope that he will be out of his diapers on the early side of the curve. That would be a nice bonus since he is still in cloth diapers, the cost of which can certainly add up. Every little bit counts.
Especially when you are trying so hard.
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14 comments:
Well I'll be interested to read about how you get on... we haven't even remotely begun to think about potty training our 2 year-old boy. Though the thought of no more diapers (for one kid at least) is very appealing right now.
All I'll say is this: when you start in earnest, don't "go back". We made that mistake once (we had her pee in her pullup instead of taking her to a public toilet like she asked) and ended up back in full diapers for 2 more months.
Consistency is key.
Our four year old is still working on it. He still wakes up with a wet diaper more often than not. Got to go with the flow, so to speak.
Sounds like you have the right attitude, just take it as it comes. We just let Amy choose her own time when she wanted to start using the potty and everything worked out fine. People can get really hung up about the whole process.
Oh this takes me back! The others are all absolutely right - be chilled about it, it's not a contest. Boys are often a lot later than girls (a year later between my 2). I did bribe with Smarties though - I have no shame ;o)
Welcome home...
All of this is building a foundation. We handled this with being a "big boy" or a "big girl"...and set everything up for that day...we set the day of the third birthday as the time someone becomes a "big boy" or "big girl". My oldest started on that day with underwear never to return...my daughter decided she wanted to be "big" early.
Two down and one to go...
@Lady Mama - Will keep everyone posted. Gaad, I hope we are not doing this for a couple of more years.
@Scifi - Thanks for the advice. I have heard that once you start not to go back, but that is a bit of a clarification.
@Captain - Going with the flow is exactly what we have in mind. No pressure.
@Dan - That is exactly our attitude towards it. For now at least. It's all good as long as things are working themselves out, so to speak.
@Penelope - Bribes for various things have been know to happen in our household. But no plans for that with this though. Not yet.
@MTAE - Lukas does seem to respond to the 'Big Boy' concept for certain things. Might be a thing to explore when the transition time does present itself. Thanks for the tip.
We're right at the same place, James. Cooper loves sitting on the toilet, but, unlike Lucas, he hasn't yet produced any results. I like the idea of morning and pre-bedtime stints on the toilet. It sounds like a good basic routine.
My advice (for what it's worth) is to be sure that he has the awareness and bladder control before making the transition and also preferably have him tell you he wants to do it. Then stick with it and don't go back.
But (and it's a big but) it really could be some time before you reach that point. I believe the anecdotal evidence that boys generally make the transition later than girls. My son displayed similar early interest to Lukas but still ended up staying in nappies until well past his third birthday. Which was a shame as those nappy (sorry, diaper) costs really add up!
@Rob - That is great. I hope both of the little guys figure it out soon enough. We will stick to the bedtime routine. They like consistency.
@Steve - Good advice. Thanks. I hope it doesn't take another year or more, but if it does, so be it. We are a patient couple and don't plan to rush anything before it's time. Case in point, he still does once a day nursing.
The Mini-Kamp has just noticed the toilet. She smiles when we sit down and then comes over and pats our knees. We are months off from this phase so I will watch you and learn.
Oh the woes of Potty training!
Glad he is having fun with it :)
I dredd when Maulin starts pooping out "real food" in his diaper...
So, potty training is pretty far off for me... right?
LOL!
My kid started and stopped a few times before he took a vested interest in sitting on the potty. If yours is into sitting there...he's off to a good start.
Good luck.
@DCUrbanDad - I'm sure we will have many stories to tell over the next several months.
@Eric - Yeah, pretty far off. Unless he is a toilet prodigy. You never know.
@Daddy Geek Boy - That is good to know. Thanks for sharing.
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