Monday, December 14, 2009

In One Day

Jane has given me practically every sign possible that she is ready to be potty trained and be a big girl. I was a little frightened because part of being potty trained means that "accidents" were part of the process and we'd have to find a public restroom when out and about, gross! Let's admit it, diapers are so much easier, but we have to train these animals to be human sometime. While I was doing my visiting teaching this week, I mentioned how scared I was for this big step and how I really don't know how to go about it. Luckily, my girlfriend shared with me a fabulous book called "Toddler Wise"...I was familiar with "Baby Wise". I took it home, read the chapter on "Potty Training Made Easy," and decided we were going to do this in ONE DAY, like the book suggests. So on Saturday, December 12, Phillip had to work a full day and took our only car. Which left me home alone with a two year old to work my magic. I first used her baby to demonstrate what to do....put big girl underwear on, drink from the sippy cup, ask her if she was dry (of course the pretend baby was), reward her with an M&M, then go to the potty. Then I did the same thing with Jane. Jane LOVED IT!!! But she didn't go potty. I thought that perhaps if I get some more juice in her, she'd have to go. So I decided to give her some breakfast. I sat her in her high chair, and one minute later I hear dripping sounds. I look over and sure enough Jane was having her first accident. Jane had the most confused look on her face. She didn't really understand what was going on. But she did understand that she was wet (not dry) and didn't like that feeling. Phillip was so sweet to clean and disinfect everything before going to work while I deal with Jane. We put some fresh new underwear on (boy was I tempted to give up and put on a diaper) and try this again. We reinacted with the doll again and I asked her every 15 minutes if she was dry. She'd check with her fingers, say "YES!" and I would reward her with an M&M. It worked beautifully. I love how the book focuses on rewarding staying dry and clean, not just going pee pee in the potty. She had one more accident on a much smaller scale that morning. Since then, she has been dry. Church, naps, fireside, and even nighttime and she's been dry. I keep asking her if she needs to go potty, because I think she forgets, perhaps I just need to trust that she'll tell me when it's time. And for the record (sorry to gross you out), she's gone poo poo in the potty several times so that's not going to be a battle, thank goodness. I know we have more accidents in the future, but I'm so glad we've gotten over this training hump and we are well on our way. Yeah Jane!

6 comments:

annie valentine said...

Woo hoo!! We have liftoff!!! We're waiting until after Christmas, but June climbs up there all the time and grunts a little, wipes and flushes.

Kaylynn said...

Way to go Jane! That is so great that she did it in one day! I think I need to read that book.

Shanna and Brent said...

wow... can i send tate to you so he can be potty trained in a day? i keep putting it off cuz of how scared i am of all the accidents that will be happening!!! good job!

Nana Mare said...

Tiffany, tell Janie Nana Mare is very proud of her. You should be commended also, SUPER MOM, way to go!

Kailing Krew said...

WOW! That's Awesome!!!

Andy and Kimi said...

Good Job Tiff!! I'm a big believer in the one day training!