Our First Big Achievement For 2011

We're barely into the new year and already we have a huge accomplishment in the house.

C has been using his potty!! YAY!!

This is a huge step forward for him (and me, my baby disappearing before my eyes) considering he has known what to do in this department since he was just 12 months old.  During that time he could tell me constantly when he was 'weeing' and 'pooing' but I could never persuade him to use the toilet or the potty. And (maybe a little gross for some point coming) could wee in a cup or similar device in the shower.

No big deal, we don't really do 'toilet training' here anyway, they all end up going on their time, we big folk really have no control over that and why should we? All toilet training does is cause stress for both parties I think.

I'm not a fan of potty's, I think they are pretty disgusting really. B used one when he was first learning (he was close to 3.5 before he got it), but K never did (she was 2 and caught on it so quickly I can't even remember the process), it seems that C will also be a potty user for the time being anyway. We have 2 of them and with our recent sunny days and frequent use of the pool I thought I would leave them out near the pool area. As we all know, with any 2 year old there is always loads of weeing going on after swimming....the perfect opportunity to suggest the potty.

On this particular day (just after new year) he made the suggestion super easy on my behalf when he came to me whilst swimming to let me know that 'poo poo' was coming out. Oh superb! Getting him out of his floatation device swimmers is a mammoth feat in itself let alone when you are trying to rush because a poo is coming. We made it, with only a small smothering on the swimmers and the remainder in the potty, including two more wees later that day.

Finally he was able to tell us that he doesn't want anyone watching. Was that all the problem has been all this time!! Why aren't children born talking? I'm damn sure half our battles would never ocurr if they could just express themselves. Ok so he doesn't want us to watch, fine, we don't particulary want to watch either.

He much prefers to stand when weeing, which is equally fine, but the potty he prefers is relatively shallow as far as potty's go, hence a good deal of wee splashes over the edges and onto the floor. He is not bothered by this at all and will quite happily grab some toilet paper to help clean it up.

After the 3rd wee this morning, and he and I using nearly a full roll of toilet paper cleaning up the splashes, I casually suggested that we really need to try and keep the wee in the potty and his response, "But I can't Mum"! all I could do was agree with him and laugh on the inside.


Potty training for him is not awful, scary or a time when he gets in trouble for making a mess, it is a time of change, growing up, learning new things and growing towards independence (even if deep down I want to keep him as my baby forever).

He is so proud when he comes to tell me that he has 'finished' and after the clean up and the hand washing he's on his merry way, with a smile on his face, as he always has.

Looks like it is going to be a great year ahead.