I've been trying. Really. For months. Hoping, praying, begging. Cajoling, rewarding, enticing, encouraging.
Yelling.
Of course, it wasn't working. She didn't want to be potty trained. And she screamed whenever we had to wipe her poopy areas, screamed like we were killing her. Boy, that feels great, let me tell you. And diapers. Cloth, paper, pee, poop--I know there's more coming, but frankly, I'd love a little break before that happens.
So.
Christmas is over, the family has left. She's gotten the concept that she's going to be a big sister (though sometimes she seems to think the baby will come out and be older than her. We are working on this.) She's excited.
She finally wants to be A Big Girl.
Yesterday, I did what I always do. "Rowan, do you want to try sitting on the potty?"
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!" (If she could breathe fire, this would be one instance where you'd have seen it.)
And that was it. The straw that broke the camel's back.
"I don't care. It's time. Get in here. NOW!"
Of course, she ignored me.
So I pulled out the big guns.
"I'm counting to 5. If you aren't in here by 5, I am turning off Sesame Street."
She was in there. Crying, yes, but there.
So, we did the training pants all day, with rubber pants over (for no apparent reason, because when she has an accident, she's pretty much soaked anyway. But whatever. I keep using them.) She did pretty well. 2 accidents, a small turd (first on the potty.) Many gummi bears.
Today, again, 3 accidents, but a massive poop on the potty to offset that (resulting in a big strawberry marshmallow. I'm all about the corn syrup-laden rewards). She's going, but only when I take her, never on her own before the fact. (Note, the accidents were within about 10 minutes of an attempt each time, so don't say I'm not taking her often enough. I'm really really trying here.) We ran some errands and I put her in a diaper, which she filled with pee, but at least let me know when it was happening (and all the other shoppers around us, too, natch.) She was also very polite to the lady who let us in the bathroom to clean up.
Tonight, I found some more ammo in the closet.
A green fairy costume, with wings, I'd found on sale at the craft store years ago for a few bucks--the perfect carrot. 3 days with no accidents AND remembering to tell Mommy before she pees and not just relying on me to take her.
Wish us luck.
1 comment:
Oh gosh, I can relate to that. We managed to get her peeing on the potty no problem but she refused to poop. For a long time, I didn't sweat it, and she was consistently pooping at nap time when she had her diaper on, but then suddenly it all changed. I had to clean up poopy clothes almost every day for a week and I lost it. One day I managed to catch her before she had done the mess in her clothes and MADE her use the toilet (feeling like a monster) while she sat their and cried. And then the next day she asked to use the toilet and all our problems disappeared forever. So basically my worst parenting moment ended up being the most successful. Sigh. Kids mess with your head.
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