Sean is 2 and ½ , so family members are starting to ask if I’m trying to potty train him “yet”. Short answer: “no”. I thought about trying to train him this summer, but I didn’t. He hasn’t shown any interest in using the potty and I’m in no rush to force the issue. As a mom, there are certain things that I’m very focused on. Potty training is not one of them. Ideally, I wait until my kids show an interest. If that doesn’t happen by the age of 3, then that’s when I start to lead the training.
Besides the whole “time juggling” thing, I would say that potty-training is my least favorite part of parenting. I joke that if there were one area of parenting that I would gladly “outsource”, toilet training would be it. There are people/services that do this, but I wouldn’t use them. For me, it’s one of those parenting “dues” that we pay. It’s not like I don’t have support. I have books and DVDs. Sean’s aunt even bought him a potty and stool. (I get the “hint”, but it’s still sitting in the box in our bathroom.) I even have an adorable new DVD/ training underwear set, Potty Pony Pals, which I was sent to review. I’m sure that they will help with potty training (they have graphics on the inside of the underwear as an incentive for kids to keep their ‘pal’ dry). It’s a smart idea – for when Sean is ready to get started! On a side note, the www.pottyponypals.com site has some great tips on how to tell if your child is ready to get started.
In any event, potty training will commence at our home when Sean and I are ready – and not a day before. Fortunately, I’ve been through this stage before with Michael – even though every child is different. I learned some good tips that work for me. For example, I don’t like the 2 step learning process (learning to use the potty and then the big toilet). Boys already have to learn two different things, so I go directly to the toilet (with a seat attachment). I’m also not one of those moms who can just let their child go “au natural” while learning (especially now that I have carpeting!). I work better when I use real underwear underneath diapers. That way, the kid can feel the wetness, but I don’t have to deal with the accompanying mess as much. Lastly, rewards work. Little treats as an incentive worked for Michael. Hopefully, they’ll work for Sean too. Most of all though, I think that it has to be when the kid is ready.
The great thing about potty training is that it bonds moms together. Last week, I was walking and talking with a group of moms when the subject of potty training came up. One of the moms was asking about training her son who will be three later this year. Of course, every one had suggestions. One mom shared how she potty-trained her 2 year old twins in a couple of days by using the Leapster. (They were only allowed to play the game while on the potty/they didn’t want to get off the potty.) After everyone shared tips, I was like, “I, for one, am in no rush to potty train my son. For me, that is when the hard work starts – scheduling my life around bathroom runs!” Just like that, the conversation switched and we all commiserated regarding how challenging it is when kids are initially potty trained. For some reason, almost all of them wait until the “last minute” to let you know that they have to go potty(?!) We all laughed regarding how you basically have to become what I call a “public restroom commando” – knowing every available public restroom in whatever area you’re visiting. None of us favored the obvious (Starbucks, McDonald’s, etc.), because everyone uses them. (FYI: If you’re on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Petco and Loehmann’s have great public restrooms.) That’s what I love about moms: we share our “woes”, but we also share our solutions.
In any event, Sean has until February to initiate potty training. After that, I’m taking the reigns. It’s been a few years, so if you have any tips on potty training boys, please leave me a comment below or send me an email. Thanks!
