We really know how to have a good time at the Brehm house. Starting a week ago, Friday, Adam and I sequestered the family for the weekend. We would not be leaving the house, come hell or high water. We would be tackling a gruesome twosome… potty training a toddler and nap/sleep training an almost 5 month old.
It wasn’t as though we’d scheduled this funfest months back … nor had we been looking forward to either of these harrying highlights. But the stars aligned. And so, we decided to take on two parenting pickles with one weekend.
Here’s the poop on the potty training. Barrett, now 2 and 3/4 years old, has shown interest here and there but anytime Adam and I would say, “Do you want to sit on the potty (like with no diaper)?” we quickly heard a “No. Not.” from a very bullheaded B. So, we waited. Until Friday. After a morning playdate with Barrett’s pre-school pal, Barrett chittered and chattered about his penchant for the potty. So. Saturday would be the day. With no pre-school on Tuesday, we’d have a 5 day stretch to devote to going doodoo in the potty.
I picked up a book at Barnes and Noble and Adam and I perused the pages Friday night over a glass of wine {yeah. we’re oldish}. I have never been a “parenting book reader” but I wanted to check myself before I wrecked myself {and B’s love for the porcelain tower}. The book suggests that in potty training boys, you can try it in sessions. We chose not to start with a sesh but rather use little morsels from other moms {thank you. you know who you are}, a few pages from the book, and a little hope and a prayer. We woke up Saturday morning, ready to take on the world. Scads of warm fuzzy feelings – check. Potty – check. Underwear – check. M&M’s – check. Barrett on board – check.
Six accidents, no successes, and a sugared up Barrett later…Saturday was a wash. Adam and I were feeling defeated and exhausted. Barrett was likely full of anxiety. And I texted my sister to see if she thought we should continue. Her suggestion was yes. Sunday morn, we got back on the proverbial horse.
The next morning, Barrett barely even wanted to step into his undies. He was {understandably} put off from the prior day. But! Never fear! A sticker chart {err… a piece of paper with marker-drawn boxes} yielded just enough incentive to wet his appetite rather than his pants {of course, we followed every time he attempted to hide}.
Much more fruitful, Sunday was packed with promise. Accident free and several successes, it was 180 degree difference. And now, one week later, having said the word penis more than I would have thought appropriate {turns out, I have boys} and looked at more victories than I have since my nursing home days, we’ve had two accidents and success after success. So, Barrett stepped up to the challenge and put on his big boy undies and dealt with it {with the help of a little bit of bribery positive reinforcement}. Atta boy, B.
I’m not daft. I know there could be some dirty days ahead but for now, we’re calling it a win. We do need to get past his affinity for stripping completely naked and often times wanting the light off and door closed, but those things will come with time…and practice.
A few of the funnies…
To the Wal-Greens clerk: “I have underwear! I wear big boy underwear because I have a big boy penis!”
To me, every time he goes: “Mommy! Come look! I poopdied and peedied!”
To those who receive the phone calls after victories: “I poopdied on my potty! Come look!”
Isn’t that how parenting goes? Just when you think it’s literally gone to shit, it starts to turn around. One moment, it can seem so trying and the next, so rewarding {I think we all know, I so rarely use that word without sarcasm so that is a big testament}. So, there’s the poop…
*I’ve not been on vacay, I’ve been being a SAHM to a toddler and a very short-napping 5 month old… I will soon provide a bevy of blogposts on all things Barrett and Jonah.
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