I don’t think I’ve blogged about our potty training efforts lately. Part of that is because I didn’t want to jinx any forward progress for one child, and part of that is because I was too frustrated by the lack of progress in the other child! But, thanks to a very successful day today, I can happily announce we’re getting there! Becky has now been diaper-free (except for bedtimes) since early April, and today was Susie’s first day with no diapers other than naptime and bedtime! And she didn’t even have any accidents! I have to admit that I was getting rather discouraged by Susie’s resistance to training. She had had zero successful trips to the bathroom after a week of intense training back when Becky kicked the diaper habit, and then every attempt thereafter failed miserably. I tried stickers, toys, candy, big potties, little potties, pull-ups, bare tushies…nothing worked. But then, this past week, Susie’s diapers haven’t been fitting her properly. I don’t know whether she needs to go up another size, or whether I wasn’t changing them frequently enough, but they fell off several times, including out in public. Susie started asking to wear panties instead, but I told her she couldn’t unless she was willing to at least try to go on the potty (previously, she would happily wear panties but still essentially used them as diapers). So, she voluntarily sat on the potty a few times for my mother-in-law while she was watching the kids this weekend, and then last night I told her when she woke up today we were going to go on the potty first thing. I held my breath this morning, assuming she’d resist, but she didn’t! She would only go on a little potty chair, but that was just fine by me! I set a timer for every 30-60 minutes to remind her (and me) to have her sit and try, and I gave her all the juice she wanted (and this child can really put away the fruit juice!). I also rewarded her first two successes with prizes, and every success after with a lollipop. Becky offered to use the other potty chair as well to keep Susie company, and so I frequently had them both sitting down side-by-side, giggling away as they did their business. And Becky discovered that she loves to empty the potty into the toilet, so she volunteered for that task every time. I’m so proud of them both! I don’t know what spills or successes tomorrow will bring, but I feel like I have to celebrate the fact that I used fewer diapers today than I have in the past almost-four years!
P.S. I’m still having technical difficulties and can’t post any pictures, but I’m working on it!
Hooray for any and all successes! I can only picture the two of them side by side on potty chairs. That twinsome image makes me chuckle happily!
Yah! Great job girls (and Mommy)! We have struggled with the same thing in our house for awhile. I also have not posted anything about our success for the same reason….I didn’t want to jinx anything. We are now 16 days diaper free (minus pull ups at night time)!!!! I did the three day potty training method. It was hell! But soooo worth it. If you are interested, I can forward you the e-book I have? I don’t know if it will help but worth a shot! I pretty much swear by my “modified version” of the 3 day method. Knock on wood….we haven’t had an accident since last Wednesday. Potty training is probably one of the hardest things I have tackled thus far. Keep up the good work!