Tuesday, June 3, 2008

480

This is approximately how many diapers we go through in a month these days.



That's an average of 16 diapers a day. Sometimes there are more, rarely are there less!



With that in mind, and the fact that the wonderful and generous members of Hardin Valley Church of Christ are STILL providing all of our diapers (Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!!)and probably looking quite forward to not needing to anymore, I am considering attempting to potty train the kids this summer. They turn two really soon and I've always heard that it's better to do it in the warm months when clothes are lighter and easier to remove. And I hate to wait a whole year!

Also, with Jonathan's love of removing his diaper, it's really only a matter of time before someone discovers that you can get to the poop and it can be fun!

So, does anyone have any advice for me before I begin the potty journey? I've never potty-trained a child before, but I do have a few ideas. However, I am open to any and all suggestions. Currently, I'm hanging on every typed word of my friend Gen McNulty who is currently potty-training her quads (see the blog list in the right-hand sidebar). They are about a month older than mine, so it makes a good example for me. Please leave me any thoughts you have on the topic. I'd love to have a wealth of information and ideas to choose from!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think your kiddos might still be kind of young, but I say more power to you for trying! Boys are probably going to be harder to train than Reagan. Teach the boys to sit on the toilet so that way if/when they have a BM it goes in the potty! Be consistent with having them sit on the potty every 15-20 minutes depending upon how much they have had to drink. Don't ask them to sit on the potty say it's time to sit on the potty and take them. When they are outside you can put them in underwear (let them pick out underwear with their favorite characters) - maybe even put a potty chair or two outside. I would stay away from pull ups - personally, but it might make it easier when in the house. I'll look forward to the potty training updates! Just remember if they aren't ready, they aren't ready and don't get discouraged.

The Perkins Trio said...

books and bribery, baby! kinley's favorite part of going potty was reading books with me and getting treats for a job well done! i started putting her on there when her diaper was dry and i KNEW she had to go, and then we just sat and read until something happened. then pour on the praise and smarties/m&m's! good luck and keep us posted :)

Kilah and Brodies World! said...

good luck! we are not far behind... we arent loving our diapers on us anymore eather! o the fun of having 2 year olds!!!

Anonymous said...

I agree, praise is key, but there needs to be internal motivation, too. Take them into the bathroom with you and talk about what you are doing so they understand what the potty is all about and want to try it, too.

Anya started asking to use the potty early - at about 14 months - and now at 20 months she's completely potty trained for poop but still pees in her diaper as much as she does on the potty. We asked our pediatrician if he had any tips, and he felt at this age, it was best to follow her lead and not push her, so that's what we're doing. We are using pull-ups with her, mostly to help her be more aware of when she's wet (plus it's easier to change her that way). Hand stamps have worked wonders for her - she loves getting two happy faces after she goes.

Good luck!