Get The Potty Started

One of my last Parent Bloggers Network writing assignments was about my potty mouth. Now we're going to talk about the actual potty. Potty training to be more specific.

My kid has no interest in going in potty training. He's only 2 years old so I haven't pushed the issue too much yet. But he really has zero interest. And I must admit that I'm a little bit jealous of my sister (Hi Jess!)...my nephew who is six whole weeks younger than my son has already started going on the potty and has been for several months now.

I feel really clueless about how to do this for some reason. It's like the potty times have changed in my household. All the old rules go down the toilet (pun intended), this kid is doing things his way or not at all.

I have three children, the two oldest being potty trained for quite some time now. With my daughter, who is now 12, I remember it being very easy. She just decided she was going to go on the potty and that was it. She was potty trained. (For what it's worth, my daughter would DIE if she knew I was talking about her and potty training in the same conversation.)

My 7 year old son picked it up shortly after his third birthday. I remember there were a few accidents, mostly at night but I don't remember it being incredibly difficult for him to pick up either. He liked wearing the big boy underwear and would get mad when we tried to get him to wear a diaper or Pull-Up at night. And he was so damn proud of his um...accomplishments? He'd drag you in to look and clap and cheer. And it really was a joyous occasion. I was glad I didn't have deal with that mess in a diaper. Really glad.

So, what gives with this child? He tells me when he needs to be changed. Even brings the diapers and wipes to me when needed. He'll walk around holding his diaper covered butt, hollering "I pooooooped! Ma! Daddeeeeeeeeee I poooooped!" Why can't he just let me know like 2 minutes before that? I mean, seriously now.

He insists on following my hubby and I to the bathroom when we have to go. He insists on flushing for us.

Put him on the toilet...screams.
Put him on his own little (and very cute!) froggy potty...he climbs off. Pulls the cup from the potty and wants to wear it as a hat (please, no!).

If you were to ask him:

The potty chair is a step-stool...and a place for him to set things for safe keeping while hanging out in the bathroom (hey, that's a handy little cup!).

The cool Elmo big boy underwear are for wearing over diapers.

The toilet...is only for flushing. And tossing massive wads of tissue in. And yes, I'm surprised that that is all he's attempted to throw in there...oh wait, there was one time he actually tossed his diaper in the toilet. That was a fun day.

Parent Bloggers Network has teamed up with Pull-Ups brand and The Potty Project.

The Potty Project is a series of webisodes following the real life potty training adventures of six families with one goal: bye bye diapers.

I know my son is still young and I'm not too worried...yet. But I really feel like I don't know what I'm doing this time around. I have 12, almost 13 years of parenting experience under my belt. Why am I letting this 2-year old little monster make the rules? Because he's the boss, that's why. And if he says the cup from the potty chair is a hat...well, well...let's just not talk about how many times we've fought that battle already. I always lose.

This blog post idea courtesy of Parent Bloggers Network

http://www.pull-upspottyproject.com
http://blog.parentbloggers.com