I had finished reading “Oh crap! Potty Training: Everything modern parents need to know to do it once and do it right” by Jamie Glowacki and set my sights for a date late in the month to begin the training. Then my partners work was canceled due to extreme weather-so, we decided it was an ideal window in which to potty train; with all three of us stuck inside.
Yes- my son was in the process of getting his two year molars and- him and I were not sleeping much at all but, nevermind that – I marched forth with confidence.
The first day went along just as prescribed. We took his diapers off as soon as he got up and began the long day of watching him – quickly running him to the potty every time he had to go. This day we were all feeling pretty good – hopeful of his progress and cozied up Indoors.
That night though – he had an especially rough night and awoke almost hourly – requesting to nurse. The next day he didn’t seem to know what we were doing – as far as the potty thing was concerned. It’s as if that first day never happened.
My partner and I would take turns watching our son according to whatever had to be done-make lunch – ect. If one of us got a full pee pants no potty – some finger pointing ensued about our inability to remain attentive. It went much like this; partly due to exhaustion I’m sure-but I’d momentarily look out the window and suddenly George was wet.
As the days progressed – tensions invariably got worse; each of us aching to be outside and I was inwardly cursing my partner as he bemoaned that this endeavor would take weeks. And-although George never pooped outside of the potty – thankfully – on the 3rd day he didn’t poop at all and I secretly blamed my partner for his foul, butt clenching mood – but-there was also the issue of pee; there seemed to be little to no improvement.
Then around day four-things started to turn around; some – and I contribute this to my recommitment to the process and my partner not being home which- allowed me to focus on the plan as opposed to him. I referred back to the book which served to provide a much needed morale boost and did as instructed; I let things go; the dishes, unmade bed and just watched George.
And – although – day five momentarily got worse again-in the sense that George would wail a long sorrowful “nooooo” whenever I approached the potty – and pee in his pants instead -I sensed a turning – a coming to a new understanding or-maybe it was just there was no other direction but forward.
Then- on Day seven things unexpectedly just clicked – to where he was telling us when he had to go and I thought -aren’t so many experiences like this…
We can’t imagine how or when it’ll turn around and suddenly – a new horizon emerges.
As the author urges all of those about to embark on the potty train – or for all of those embarking on any new – potentially rocky terrain -“when going through hell…for Gods sake, keep going…”.
