Iโve heard stories a kid is off the diapers in 2 weeks . I believe it happens, but at the back of my head I think it is bull**** unless you have some genius who pees on demand and have no peeing accidents. ๐
This is our story. I let it all on Eli. All of these written below happened.
I will use quotation marks in every “training” word because the word training sounds like you train a dog or a monkey to do some trick. I can’t find any other right word. Maybe I should call it, based on the BLW method, BLPP Baby led peeing & pooping. ๐
So let’s see what can happen when you potty-train a little adult…
? The kid plays with the potty chair
It was at the very beginning. A potty chair was rather a toy you can drag around, push, ride or even use it as a salad bowl … but no peeing into it. ๐ Well, then you can forget any “training”. And you have to wait.
? The kid might resist when you put her/him on.
I have heard this tip so many times. The tip is “just make the child sit on a toilet and he/she figures it out”. Well it sounds wonderful but if I force the child to sit on something it just flees away then it is not going to work. Okay, unless you have a mobile phone in hand waving in front of a child’s face and there is a Paw Patrol, Blippi, Cocomelon, Little Angel, Krtek etc. going on.
Sometimes I wish somebody makes me sit on a couch and makes me binge watching The Lord of the Rings… I know I can forget it, maybe when I am 60 years old! ๐
? The kid might start refusing diaper and also refusing to pee into a potty chair
It is like hearing the kid says “Hey, mom, get ready with that towel, I am going to pee everywhere I want. It is so much fun. Look, I am like a dog. And that diaper in your hand, just forget it, I hate that thing. I am already a grown-up”. Guess what, if that happens you are stuck at home or you just have to let go and go with it and be one brave mom. Thank god, this happened and it lasted only a week.
? The kid names the actual act and shouts โI am peeingโ proudly
It is a great feeling when the kid actually says I am peeing. Be happy for her/him even though the rug just got soaking wet and you are running out of kitchen towels. ๐ Unfortunately, for the moment when the kid shouts “I am going to peeeee” you still have to wait… ๐
?The kid might want diapers back
I would think there is no return back once you start “training” but obviously it can happen. The kid just begs you for diapers. I gave up easily when I saw those crocodile tears… ๐ and let her wear diapers again.
?The sickness might ruin your “training”
It is an unfortunate but it can happen. When the kid gets sick throughout your “training” all your effort might go in vain and the kid just wants the diaper back. I and Eli had to start all over again because of a bad stomach flu. Just accept it!
โ The kid suddenly knows and shouts โI am going to pee, pee, pee…โ
Yes, hooray. ๐ Congratulations! You hit the milestone. There is a light at the end of every tunnel. Some tunnels are just little bit longer ๐
? The kid actually sits on a potty chair and tries to pee but it doesnโt work
When that happens I suggest to cheer the kid up.
?The kid gets it only when bare bottom and at home
I believe very little children live in their little worlds. It is at home, at grandparents’, at auntie Annie’s apartment, at the playground with the funny swing at it and so on. And the peeing experience is whole lot different at home and outside where you miss your potty chair. So remember, once you figure it out at home it doesn’t mean it is going to work elsewhere.
Plus, when your child likes to run around at home naked, you unintentionally use the so called “bare bottom” “training” method. And then the kid knows how to pee only when he/she has no panties on or anything on so get ready once they get dressed there might be more peeing “accidents”.
?The kid (you) hits a plateau
The kid hit a plateau and there is no progress. The kid doesn’t care about a plateau. It is more about you because in your head you might hear the voice of your grandma “If she doesn’t know how to pee they are not going to accept her into the kindergarten right at your home. ” ๐ I and Eli have hit the plateau. It is been a while. To describe our plateau from Eli’s point of view I hear her: “Hey, I can pee in my world #1 Home #2 Auntie’s #3 Grandparents’. World 4? Outside? Maybe in summer, mommy. I don’t want my bum to freeze”.
Tips of what you can do and try
? Start training when the kid is ready
Do you wonder when to start potty training? Donโt worry, your grandma will tell you. ? Grandmas are the best remindersโฆ when the year and a half hits expect this question โDoes she use a potty yet?โ โShe shoooould, look at the neighborโs kid he already knoooows.โ or โI remember when you were little… blah blah blah… ๐ When the kid is ready you are ready. Otherwise the training can be pain in the ***. Ok, seriously. So when is the kid ready? Youโll know. My experience was, the diaper is dry for a longer time, she/he has an interest in whatโs going on down there, why a mommy and daddy sits on a toilet and so onโฆ If you don’t feel it, just wait! No pushing!
? Bathroom door opened.
They copy what you do, so have your bathroom door opened so they see.
? Actually, show them & explain
I knooow. Maybe it is awkward but it works. Just pull down your pants and show them. ๐ Explain them. Get a book that explains and tell them the story. Find a song online. If you are around little older kids than your loved one let the kid see that other kids pee too.
? Prepare the battle field
There might be lot of false tries so I removed a rug I used to have in front of a sofa. I picked some old towels so I could immediately dry of the floor And get all the cleaning stuff that will help you out to deal with the situation.
? Prepare extra clothes, diapers
Have extra clothes including socks with you. I always have a little bag with extra clothes.
? Get the thingies
There are many cool potty chairs. I bought one with a removable “bowl” you can easily wash. I got a toilet seat adapter with a little ladder that you attach onto a regular toilet seat so the kid can climb onto your actual toilet.
? Reward
If they achieve any small step, show them. Not by giving them treats but smile and describe them ๐
? Respect
Don’t push, don’t expect they figure it out right away. Don’t force your kid sitting on a toilet if they obviously refuse. If you don’t get what refusing means and you get kicked into your face, that is a sign ๐
If they do like sitting on a potty chair it is great. If not, it is also fine and accept it.
I believe there are kids who need lot of time to learn this, kids that are quick learners and kids who figure it out overnight and never go back.
To gather it up,
go with your gut.
โค๏ธ
PS. Any more ideas? Want to share your experience? Please write me in the comments below.