Monday, February 28, 2011

All aboard the POTTY TRAIN!


*image courtesy of google images

In our house, we have been riding the potty train
for about two weeks now. I am so AMAZED at how well Wendy is doing. We got rid of diapers cold turkey (not counting the "princess pull-ups" she wears to bed). As an incentive, we have a gift bag full of cheap plastic food for her kitchen we call "pee pee prizes." Every time she goes, we make a big deal over it and she gets to pick one. Getting her to go #2 is like pulling teeth, so we've upped the ante to TWO pee pee prizes PLUS a sucker for a #2. I liked the idea I saw here of instant gratification with a reward that can be immediate and small enough to repeat over and over again. (At this point, she could open up a plastic grocery store with all the plastic food she's accumulated). We sit her on the toilet every hour or two and that's it. All I can say is that it's been over two weeks and I can count the number of accidents she's had on one hand. That includes trips to target, the doctor's office, and 3 hours of church. Twice.

*my blurry daughter with some pee pee prizes: strawberry ice cream cones

As time goes by, I've come to realize that potty training is not something that can be done in an allotted time period. It's never ending. I wanted to cross it off my to-do list, but I don't think I can cross it off as DONE until she's going on her own, free of accidents, and making it through every night dry.
I don't feel like that will ever happen. But I'm so proud of her (and for myself) for the progress we've made.

6 comments:

Shannon said...

It sounds like she's pretty much there! Good job! It really is a process. It takes them awhile (in my experience a few months at least) before you don't have to worry about them. They will go when they have to and they won't wet the bed. Although it still happens occasionally. I like the idea of using the plastic play food as a reward instead of candies. I might try stickers or something like that with Davin. He turns 3 this month, so I think it's officially time we get on the potty train too. :)

Lynsey said...

Don't you just love their little bums in big undies. Nothing cuter, as long as they don't do anything in them!

Brynn said...

Aubrey had problems with going #2 on the toilet. It freaked her out. She knew she had to go and would sit on the toilet, but when she started going she would jump off. So we would have a big mess. But after we showed her that we put it in the toilet and flushed it she was ok with going.
Good luck and keep up the good work!

From Me to You said...

Yay Wendy! She's such a big girl! I love your idea...and it's working! Can't wait to see her big girl room!

J, J and B said...

So cute! Even if it seems as if it will take forever, changing one diaper is better than two!! I agree... you're doing a great job!!

Beth said...

In the beginning I think it's the parens who are potty trained. We know when to put them on the toliet...but one day they get it!

I am so glad you are doing this before her liitle brother comes.

Yeah for Wendy!