Ode to Potty Training

If I've talked to you in the past... year it seems... I've probably mentioned Potty Training. It's still a topic of conversation in our house...

As you've seen in previous posts, Cole moved up to pre-school on Monday. Today, he moved back down. Why? He's still not pooping on the potty. Part of me is livid with daycare for moving him up knowing he wasn't fully "there" yet. I even asked about it. It killed me to have to bring him in today and drop him off in the pre-preschool room, as he cried and screamed that he wanted to be with his friends in the other class. Killed me.

The other part of me, that I finally realized last night, was my frustration with my self. If you're a parent you're probably very familiar with this feeling. My lil' man is not abnormal, as I've been reading and talking with other parents/doctors. This is pretty typical for young boys. Then I catch myself thinking: "But he's so smart. He got peeing in the potty quickly and never had an accident with that. He knows all about the potty, and that he should. Why can't he get it?"

These thoughts are then projected to Cole. Jason and I being frustrated. Talking about pooping on the potty ad nauseam. Threatening to take away things. Rewarding with toys, shows and treats. Still, he struggles.

What does all this rambling add up to? Me finalizing realizing that his struggles are making me feel like I'm struggling. Making me feel like I'm not a good parent if I can't figure out a way to make him do it.

So today I'm stopping it. This is not my fault, nor do I have a ton of control over it. My frustrations and insecurities aren't helping him at all. He IS a smart boy (and funny, and sweet). He WILL get it but I just have to have patience. Everyone has said "he'll do it when he's ready" and I guess I have to just trust that. I have to reward the accomplishments but not get hung up on the failures. And I should probably stop thinking of them as failures and more as set-backs, or stepping stones.

Am I hoping that moving down will be the motivation internally for him? Hell yes I am. Will I continue to encourage him to use the potty every night? For sure! Will I constantly think about it and dwell on the fact that my brilliant little boy isn't pooping on the potty? Well, I'm going to try. But I know I will now take a step back, a deep breath, and realize he'll get it when it's his time.

Ramble over.

A Letter to Cole

Cole,

Three and a half already. Where did the time go? No seriously, where did it go because it seems like only yesterday you were just barely walking around this place, giving me and your dad mini-heart attacks as you fell down the stairs. Now you're still giving us mini-heart attacks as your bambi legs carry you to pre-school! Yes! Pre-school (summer session).

You are so silly these days and the teachers at school tell us your the class clown. Can't say I'm surprised because you make your dad and me laugh all day and night long. You even mumble in your sleep - talking about Paw Patrol and castles. You have the best timing with jokes, and even your facial expressions have us rolling.

You are also scary smart. You have your dad's memory already and I can't believe everything that you know. We've been practicing rhyming words, counting, letters... I swear there's nothing you can't learn or memorize instantly... well, except pooping on the potty, but you're trying.

You're so sweet and compassionate. You are always worrying about others and have the sweetest hugs. You're not shy about making friends or telling people you love them. You're so great with Hudson, and I can't wait to watch you teach him everything that you know.

You have me wrapped around your little finger. You've figured out how to give me these little looks, and a "I love you mama" and I'm done. My favorite is when you bring over two fruit snack bags, one for you and one for me. Don't think I don't know what you're up to, but I take it every time!

You are going to do such amazing things. Some days I think you'll be a pilot, others a engineer... but I know you'll be happy no matter what. Because you're a happy kid. Always.

You're getting so big but you still like to crawl in my lap for cuddles... though you're not fitting like you used to since you're already almost four feet tall!

You're all boy with scrapped knees, bruises and a love for all things with a motor. Superman and spiderman dominate your wardrobe, and I think you would wear a cape and mask everyday if we let you. Ok, most days we let you!



You are perfect and your dad and I love you more than you can ever know. I'm scared for the day that I don't get your sweet hugs and cuddles in public because you'll be "too cool"/ surrounded by all your friends... I know you'll have thousands. And no more hitting on the ladies at the park. You're already a smooth talker with your promise of ice cream and iPad games. Plenty of time for that when you're 30! For now, just stay my baby and run to me for kisses when you fall down!

Love you lots and lots,
Your mama

Potty Training Update

It's been a few weeks since I over-shared the details of Cole's bowel movements... so I thought it was time for an update!

For the past two weeks (maybe three), Cole has been a rockstar when it comes to peeing in the potty. We stopped doing nighttime diapers about three days in when every morning he woke up with dry pants. We have yet, knock on wood, to have any accidents! Same with days. Dry underwear everyday! He also goes when he needs to. Sometimes I still remind him, but I probably don't need to (I guess I'm a micro-manager at home). 

Now as for pooping... well, that's another story. Unfortunately we haven't had as much success. Lots of days of "holding it in" and then accidents. If anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears. 

Poor kid hasn't had his nerf gun (his reward for when we thought he nailed all aspects of potty training) all week... 

[When he doesn't poop in the potty the nerf gun get's put away until he does use the potty]

Potty Training

I’ve debated writing this post for the past few days. I don’t want to jinx anything. BUT, I can’t help it.

Cole is well on his way to becoming a potty-trained member of society. No more relieving himself in diapers… it’s all toilets from here on out!

I feel like we’ve been in a constant state of “training” for like 3 months. No kidding. He’s been doing great at school. Rocking his pull-ups. Using the potty about 80% of the time. Not at home though. Seriously. It’s like there was something wrong with the THREE different potty options we had.

Then last week we realized he was batting near 1,000 at school. Add to that the fact that I had to change a poop-filled diaper at the hockey rink and the kid didn’t fit on the changing table, we knew it was time. Bring on the under-roos.

This week:

• Monday: Rocked pull-ups this day… not sure why.  
• Tuesday: One accident at around 4:30 when he was moving into a new classroom for the evening. One accident when we got home. Success before bed! We decided to rock nighttime diapers for the week…
• Wednesday: Dry diaper in the morning and a morning potty-pee! There may have been jelly-beans consumed before 8am! No accidents (anywhere). Evening was a huge success with 3x uses!  
• Thursday: Again, dry morning diaper and successful morning. NO accidents AND used the restroom at our fav Mexican restaurant.
• Friday: Dry again (think we might ditch the nighttime diaper after tomorrow morning) and fingers crossed for the day.
• As you’ll notice, that there hasn’t been any bowel movements outlined above. Yep, that’s a problem. Poor kid is holding it in. I’m hoping the prune juice I pumped him full last night (and the pound of refried beans he ate) will get that poop a flowing today!

Stay tuned for more updates. I know how you all LOVE getting a detailed outline of Cole’s bathroom antics.

And yes, I will print and hand this blog post out at his High School grad party. J