My friend told me the other day that I am "in the trenches" right now - and it has stuck to me
like glue. It could not be a more fitting statement for how I feel! Let me illustrate by sharing a scene from my last two weeks - on any given day...
It is 2:30 p.m. I have been sitting on the bathroom floor since 8:30 a.m., waiting for that elusive moment where "pee-pee" or "poopies" decide to show up in my son's potty chair, my head buried in "Toilet Training for Toddlers" in the hopes of finding some easy solution. Parker seems oblivious to the task at hand, playing with his cars, eating fruity Cheerios (initially meant to be used as "targets" in the big potty), watching Sesame Street on our portable DVD player which is now a permanent fixture on our bathroom counter. Tyler is in the Bumbo, on the floor with me, enjoying his Zwieback toast (most of which is on the floor). Meanwhile, Peter is working - either downstairs in the basement, at work, or on campus - the story of his life until the end of November. In moments like these, I like to play a little game with myself. It's called the "At Least" game. Here are my "at leasts" for today....
At least we're all still alive.
At least there is chocolate in the house.
At least I know I'll have a life, outside the bathroom, once he is potty trained.
At least this moment gave me something to blog about.
At least my kids are not crying (at this moment in time).
At least I have kids.
At least I love my family.
At least they love me.
Maybe the trenches aren't so deep after all.
17 comments:
(((hugs)))
Oh my gosh, tell me what works because I am right there with ya sister! Hunter is potty training too!
Sounds like you have been having lots of fun while I have been gone! I hope Parker catches on quick!
Isn't it amazing how potty talk is all the sudden the center of your world?? It's something you've taken for granted until now! Keep your head up--I'm sending my love to you in your bathroom. And you deserve a bag of M&Ms or an extra scoop of Edy's every night after a long day of potty time!
It's crazy down in the trenches. I'm so glad I'm not doing potty training right now. Maybe I'll wait until the twins are 5 or 6....Best of luck, sister!
I hear you! My kids are the WORST potty trainers EVER! Not because they have emotional issues--they just have better things to do than use the potty. Ellie still is horrible at using the toilet and Sarah is showing interest but I'm not so sure I want to be doing this with both of them at the same time--I guess I am in two trenches? YOU CAN DO IT!!
At least Parker is a cute kid. I always think it's easier to be patient when they're cute. ;) Those poor ugly kids. JK. Good luck, pal!
sounds like quite the exciting picture: you on the bathroom floor, parker watching his dvd, and tyler just chillin with food all over the place. next time you should snap a shot of the scene:)
At least your friends get to read about your at leasts and empathize wtih you!
That potty will click soon, I promise. :)
Do you have a chart?!
Just kidding!
It took for Tyler's little bro to be interested before he finished... so you could just wait till it's your Tyler on the potty seat and then maybe Parker will jump in!
I have so many tidbits people have shared... but ultimately it is a battle. Good luck in the trenches!
Good Luck. I have no experience or advice to offer you - sorry. It probably wouldn't help to tell you I know someone who is currently potty-training their 8 month-old. Not sure how that works. Hang in there!
I am in the same boat with you. Emily is over 2 1/2 now and is semi-interested. I have gone through so many pull-ups it is crazy. She won't wear diapers and really wants to wear underwear. I won't let her until her pull-ups stay dry and clean. Every child is different so hopefully they both get through this sooner than later. Good luck to you!
Can I just vent with you? Misery loves company, right? This week....Kennedi had THREE fillings. Even though I eventually had to go to the waiting room, I could still hear her cry for 1/2 hour....From there we went to the doctor who diagnosed Klare with another bladder infection...the next day I looked in Whitney's mouth to discover "spots" after a week of her complaining and her mom telling me she was cutting a tooth. I called her mom and said she needed to make an appointment for her. The next morning, the doctor diagnosed her with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease...GROSS!!! and last night Klare would not sleep at all, so this morning I looked in her mouth and found....SPOTS!!!! AAARRRGG! Atleast this gave me a platform to talk to Whitney's mom about better hygiene and hand washing...This to shall pass! The sooner, the better!
thank you so much for all of your support!! it's great to know people are thinking of you in times like these..."at least" i've got great friends.
i thought i'd post an update from the trenches - he has actually caught on quite quickly these past few days and is now using the BIG potty which is huge for us! we figured out the needed incentive - CHOCOLATE! he is a chocoholic like his mom. he's wearing big boy underwear all day now...still working on getting the bm's in the big potty, however, so any advice on that front would be welcomed!!
p.s. for all of you going through the same thing (jenny, heather, erika)...i'm sending empathy hugs your way!
Just got wind of your "trenches"! I'm so sorry,..I HATED potty training Gavin, but if you are consistant they catch on quickly. Sounds like Parker is doing just that! Good job Michelle! Now just as you finish up on Parker, you will have Tyler! ;) I'm working with Reese right now. AGH!
I don't remember potty training, I think some magic fairy came and did that or else I've totally blocked it from my mind, however even after they learn to go "to" the potty, I think it is a lifetime struggle to get boys to go "in" the potty. That will be a future vent of mine if ever I want to publicly disclose the troubles of keeping a sanitary bathroom with 3 boys.
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