Easy as pie...well...

*This story is long, but mostly for me to remember.

At Thayne's two year check up with the doctor I was told that boys usually don't start potty training until they are three. That was enough to convince me I had at least another year. I was enjoying Thayne being "little," so diapers weren't that bad. Well, in early June, Thayne was not quite 2 1/2, he started doing some funny things. First, if I happened to look at Thayne while he was going potty (even if I didn't even realize it right away) he would get mad. I wouldn't even mean to look at him, but he didn't even want me glancing. Second, he wasn't wetting his diaper at night. Third, he found a little training potty in our third bedroom (my sister-in-law had given it to me and I was storing it in our extra bedroom until Thayne turned three - when I was planning on potty training) and liked playing with it (don't worry I cleaned it and then washed his hands...).

Okay, back to early June one day, I was telling my mom (on the phone) how funny Thayne was acting with going potty. She said maybe Thayne was ready to start potty training. NO WAY!!!! I told her I was waiting until he was three! Later that afternoon he saw the little potty and said he wanted to use it. What??? Not just play with it, but use it. I decided maybe my mom was right. Still, I wasn't quite ready. I gave myself one week to prepare. I bought a children's potty book, m&m's as reward treats, training underwear, "real" little boy undies, and one package of pull-ups. I had some books at home (super nanny, toddler years..., etc.) that I read through and I called some people for advice. Now, I felt ready. I was DETERMINED. This was it. Once I started, I was NOT going back. I didn't want that to be an option.

Jake and I got Thayne excited and the first week started. The first couple days I stayed home with Thayne, set the timer to go off every 30 min, put Thayne in the big plastic training pants (no clothes), put the training potty in the bathroom, got the treat jar ready, and went to town. He did GREAT!!! The first day he used the potty three times (still had accidents in his pants). Second day, went several times in potty (less accidents in pants). I wasn't concentrating too much on #2 (poo), until I felt like he was getting the hang of #1 (pee), so he was still going #2 in his pants (not the funnest with the training pants, but I feel like they work so much better than pull-ups - which I am not a big fan of, although some people love them). Since he was catching on to everything so well, after the first couple days, I started dressing him (still using the big, bulky undies). We even started running errands (mostly places I knew where public toilets were located). On about day four I put on regular undies (used training ones for nap and pull-ups for bedtime).

Then we started working on #2. This was more difficult and took a little more time, but he never had more than about five accidents - TOTAL!!!!

The first week he was thrilled about everything, but once he realized it wasn't a game, he started throwing fits. I was getting frustrated and so was he. I knew he needed to go potty, but he would not want to sit on the toilet and he wouldn't even try to go. Then after battling it and then finally giving up, he'd have an accident (#1). Week two, my friend, Steph, told me (kindly) that getting frustrated wasn't helping. She suggested (while we're on an overnighter at my parent's cabin - and having heard some battles in the bathroom) giving Thayne respect. She said to trust Thayne if he said he didn't need to go, and then if he had an accident, to THEN reprimand him. Yes, that makes sense and it sounds much more pleasant, which it did turn out to be!!! Thank You, Steph!!!!! This made a world of difference.

Of course, Thayne had some accidents (very few though) and sometimes I did have to reprimand. Cold showers. I know, harsh, but they not only washed him off, they helped him to remember to use the potty right when he felt the urge. I knew the punishment had to be different than other punishments we use when he is naughty. I never got mad, I just kindly said, "we only go potty in the toilet, time for a cold shower." It was sad when I had to give him cold showers, he SCREAMED. They only lasted a few seconds, but it was enough for Thayne to realize he HATED them. It worked. He only had a couple accidents after that.

Total, it took about 4 weeks. Except for the first week of potty training, Thayne has NEVER wet the bed. He knows when he needs to go and he is great at telling me (I have to admit that he holds it really well). We used 10 pull-ups (well, we reused the clean ones because he just wore them at night) and then switched to normal undies.


I don't mean to brag and maybe this doesn't sound all that easy, but I am thrilled. I expected more accidents (esp. at night) and planned on them even. Thayne was totally ready. As much as the techniques we used worked for Thayne, it was all HIM!!!! I don't plan on my other kids being quite so easy (because I think it usually doesn't happen so fast). I wouldn't have been disapointed if it had taken longer, I just feel lucky and proud that it didn't.

*Sorry if you read this, think it is too long, and think I am one of those moms that thinks her kids are perfect. Well, Thayne is perfect for me!!!!

I did take pictures of Thayne on the "POTTY," but didn't feel like it was appropriate to display those ones. Thayne likes his undies like this better anyway. I LOVE silly boys!!!