Saturday, October 24, 2009

Full Stream Ahead

So, as I was mentioning in my Underwear Power post, we have been going full steam ahead with the potty training, having Lukas wear his tighty whiteys at all times not involving sleep. It had been going swimmingly for the first week and a half or so.

Until a couple of days ago.

Now rather, things are more like full stream ahead. We're not sure what changed with our little guy at that point, but since that time he seems to have lost interest in the whole Underwear Power concept. Instead, he seems to not really care much if he has an 'accident', letting things flow as they will while continuing to do whatever it was he was involved in, wet and or dirty. There appears to be no embarrassment factor. No uncomfortable moments for him. No desire to hold it in.

After 4, count em 1,2,3,4 accidents today, we have had to sit Lukas down and have a serious talk about the possibility that he will need to start wearing the dreaded diapers again. He didn't like the idea. He cried some real, as well as some crocodile tears at the idea, whining that he wants to "keep wearing" his underwear.

Perhaps that will make the difference here. We don't know. We really don't want to put him back into diapers at this point, so we are hoping that the threat of it has the desired effect.

Conversely, there is one other alternative that presented itself tonight. Shame.

Alright, alright, before you judge me on this hear me out. I am not talking about making Lukas feel ashamed about not being able to hold his bladder. No, that would be a bit uncalled for wouldn't it.

Rather, I think I am just going to show him this picture several times a day.


It's a picture of the pants he was sent home in from daycare today. The 'institutional' pants they keep on hand when a child soils all the clothes he has on hand at the center. Yep, those are pinkish corduroy 'pants'. Somehow I think these beauties may just work in our favor.

At the very least they will make Mrs. LIAYF and I motivated to keep him on schedule.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Obviously, this is a delicate and unique situation for each and every child...and each and every parent. You guys will work this out...just keep at it.

McMommy said...

The EXACT same thing happened to us with Carter...he was doing so good, and then? Started pooping in pants without a care in the world.

After a week of this, we were at wits end...he KNEW how to go in the potty...he had been doing it for weeks! So out of frustration one day, after the second time that day he pooped in his underwear, I took him to the bathtub and made him sit in it for 5 minutes. He was SO UPSET. He hated the feeling of it.....and honest to goodness, he has never gone in his underwear SINCE!!

It one was of those times in parenthood where you are all "I have no idea what I am doing and I hope I am not scarring him for life." But for us, it worked.....although blackmail pics of institutional pants might be the trick too. :)

Laura Marchant said...

I fear the day I start potty training my son. He will go #2 on the potty but I have no clue how to train #1, lol

Scary Mommy said...

You may really be on to something. Perhaps I should force Ben to wear Lily's pink frilly pants until he poops in the potty--- that just may be what he needs. It may turn him into a cross-dresser in the process, but as long as he's not in diapers, I'm cool with it.

Dan said...

We used bribery. Giving Evan sweets (candy) every time he went to the loo.

It worked very well. We now have a bit of a problem with him demanding sweets everytime he wees, but I'm sure that will wear off by the time he's 18

Steve said...

I'd lean towards rewards (yes, bribery).

Mrs. M said...

Good luck! Have you seen the commercial for the "potty party" thingamajig? Colorful targets for your potty guaranteed to work! Not that I'm saying they do, just made me think of it when I saw your post. Who doesn't want to have a party in the potty? ;)

Dad Stuff said...

Sounds like he's right on schedule and it won't take too long to master the potty.
Our kids really turned the corner when they heard their peers talk about the potty.
Good luck.

Being us... said...

This is exactly why I haven't even started potty training yet, I couldn't imagine going through this and having a 2 month old...nope I will wait just a little while longer and start tackling this feat after the holidays!

Lady Mama said...

Wow, it's tough isn't it. I have no advice, because, well, my experience so far has been complete disaster and for us there's no sign of getting rid of diapers yet. It sounds like you're doing a good job of getting the message through by talking to him about it. I say keep on with the communication. Good luck!

SciFi Dad said...

I would not go back to diapers, personally. We had our daughter in pull-ups when out in public (just in case) when she was consistently asking to use the potty. One day, she asked, and it wasn't convenient, so we told her just that once to pee in her pull-up. We were back in diapers for another two months before she'd try again.

DCUrbanDad said...

Dude, I don't know those pants are kinda fly.

Kori said...

I guess I am lucky; I haven't had any issues with toilet training at all. I just bought a potty chair for Owen's second birthday, he carried it around and played with it and wore the little insert thingy like a hat, and he sat on it to read books or stood on it to reach something and there you go. I refused to use pull-ups save in bed at night, I took spare clothing everywhere just in case, and he pretty much decided he was ready one day. I don't understand why people get so stressed about it-he WILL learn, when He is ready; it is no reflection on you as parents if he isn't toilet trained on your time frame. Just sayin'.

A Free Man said...

My boy got sent home in the day care clothes a couple of weeks ago. Capri pants and a pink flowered t-shirt. Problem is - he liked them.

Anonymous said...

I'm catching up on your posts and had to comment here. You reminded me of the time that Clare came home from daycare in the "institutional" blue sweatpants. She would only wear pink at the time and it really made her cry. I think that actually helped.