The reason I even thought about potty training Andrew in the first place was because he refused to wear diapers. I would put a clean diaper on him, and as soon as he peed, he would take it off and throw it in the garbage, and was also doing this with #2 as well, which didn't thrill me! He also thought it was really cool to pee in the big boy potty, so he was definitely very comfortable with going on the potty before I tried to potty train him.
Ive read a few blogs about how to potty train, and what works for people. To be honest, I didn't really follow anything specific. All children are different, so certain things may, or may not work for your child. The only bit of advice I would give someone, is that if you are wanting to potty train your child, and you think your child is ready, plan to start potty training when you have a few days that you can be home, and near the potty, with limited errands.
How we started:
I told Andrew that today we were going to wear big boy underwear, and that we were no longer using diapers. I told him that we were going to throw his diapers in the garbage. (I didn't really throw diapers away, dont worry!) But I did want him to know that we were DONE wearing diapers, because he was a big boy now. So I took him to the store, and let him pick out some cool, "scary guy" (Batman, Spiderman, etc.) underwear. To Andrew this was SO cool. He couldn't wait to get home and try on his cool new underwear. I also bought a big poster board, and I let Andrew pick out a bunch of cool stickers to go on his potty chart.
When we got home, we immediately started, off with the diaper, and on with the undies!! I also told myself that no matter how frustrating, or hard it was, we were not resorting back to diapers. Not even during nap time, or at night. Andrew and I colored his potty chart, and it turned in to a really fun activity. I think the key to potty training it making it really exciting. I also wanted to reward him with stickers, instead of treats. Just my personal opinion. So each time Andrew went potty, he got to grab a sticker, and put it on his chart, which to him was really fun, and a good incentive.
Day #1: The first day of potty training was exciting for Andrew. He felt really cool being able to wear underwear like big boys, and tried his best not to pee on Buzz Lightyear! Surprisingly, he did SO good his first day. My husband was gone at work all day, so Andrew really didn't have any distractions. We spent most of the day in the kitchen near the bathroom, coloring, reading books, and playing with blocks. As stressful as potty training can be, its nice to spend quality time teaching and playing with your child. I fed him lots of salty foods, and gave him plenty of water. Constantly reminding him that he was a big boy, and that he wasn't wearing a diaper. I honestly made him go potty every 30-45 mins. Andrew did so awesome, and didn't have an accident all day! When Steven got home from work, we all sat down to eat dinner. Andrew kept telling me "Full. Down please!" So I got him out of his high chair. Andrew immediately went into the pantry, shutting the door behind him saying, "see ya!" As soon as the door shut my husband said, "Ill bet you ten bucks he is going in there to poop!" Annnnnd, right after he said that we heard a grunt, and opened the door to this:
{I apologize for the graphic image, I thought it was hilarious}
Anyway, after that fiasco, Steven and I showed Andrew were his poop really was supposed to go, and we flushed it down the potty. That night I put Andrew to bed in his jammies and underwear. NO DIAPER. I knew that letting him sleep in his underwear was going to possibly make for a long night, for everyone, but I didn't want to have any crutches, or make him depend on anything during this process. So my advice is: if you're going to potty train, don't phase diapers out, get rid of them completely from the get go. *Another idea, during nap time, and for bed time, Ive heard of moms putting plastic diaper covers over their childs underwear, so that if they wet the bed, they still feel wet and uncomfortable, but your not washing sheets every night.
Day #2: I really needed a few things from the grocery store, and so on day 2, I decided to be brave and take Andrew to the grocery store really quick. I took a blanket and extra clothes with me in case we had any accidents. I reminded him a million times that he was now wearing big boy underwear, and that if he had to go potty he needed to tell mommy. And I am pleased to announce that we had ZERO accidents at the store, or at all that day!!!! Progress. (Andrew still hadn't gone #2 that day though.) That night he wore jammies and underwear to bed, and didn't wet the bed. I was SO happy!
Day #3: This day scared me. My husband and I had to be down to Salt Lake in the morning for work, and we had to take Andrew with us. Steven kept telling me that we should just let him wear a diaper, so that we didn't have a million accidents. {Im stubborn, and refused to use a diaper.} Once again, potty training takes constant reminding and praising. On our way to Salt Lake we took a couple of pit stops for Andrew, which he thought was really fun. He had never gone potty anywhere other than our house, and so bathroom stalls were pretty rad to him. {gross, I know.} Andrew made it all the way down to Salt Lake with zero accidents! After we got finished with work, we decided to stop at In-N-Out for lunch.
Logically thinking I thought, "Ill make Andrew go potty after we eat lunch, before we get back into the car." Welll...... children don't think that way. They pee, when they have to pee! So as we sat there eating lunch, Andrew peed ALL over the bench!!!! Andrew felt embarrassed, and sat in wet pants for a few minutes until we were done. {I wanted him to know how uncomfortable he was going to feel if he went potty in his pants.} The rest of the day consisted of zero accidents. He was even able to hold it the whole way back to Logan from Salt Lake. He also slept through the night with no accidents.
Day #4: Today Andrew went #2 in the potty! This was seriously a victory for me. He has not wanted to poop in the potty, and has been holding it, but today was the day he decided to do it! {I bribed him with a new toy car!} Today has been completely accident free, and I am one happy mamma.
I'm not claiming that this was easy, or that my way is the right way, or that there even is a certain way to potty train. I think its different for everyone. Andrew will still continue to have accidents, but he's only a little kid. But I know one things for sure, WE ARE DONE WITH DIAPERS!
So its basically a few days where you live next to the potty. But my biggest piece of advice to anyone nearing potty training, is to not depend on pull ups at night, or during nap time. Its just another thing you're going to eventually have to phase out, and it teaches your child that it is "OK" to potty while they are napping. GOOD LUCK!
Yay Whit! You are such a good mom! Love you!
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