Four kids...Life is an adventure: Potty training for beginners

I learned so much about Asher, by putting my focus on Asher 24/7. The TV was turned off and I sat by his side. We sang songs, played trains, read books, and laughed. After this experience, I realized I play on my phone and have the TV on too much. That is all going to change - it already did. Today was a normal day (by normal I mean that Asher wore pants, didn't chug liquids, and had full access to the house), and we watched TV less and played more. I plan on continuing all of this.

So in the season of life with a 2 year old, eventually potty training has to occur. We crossed this bridge this past weekend. When Asher turned two in April, I figured he would let us know when it was time to potty train and it would magically happen. These people that use pull-ups or that 3-day method, they were crazy and trying to push it on their kid before the time was right. Well, boy was I ever wrong. Asher turned 2 1/2 this week. He TOLD me when to change his diaper. When asked to go pee pee on the potty, I got a big NOPE! So Mike and I started talking and doing a little research. Asher is smart enough to know what is going on, but also smart enough to know what he wants to do and doesn't want to do. I came across an e-book that was emailed to me over a year ago. It was for a 3-day method of potty training that shows huge results in a short amount of time. I read it, and read it again, and again and it made sense. Mike and I figured it couldn't hurt, and if after 3 days Asher wasn't potty trained, we could tackle it with another method.

I probably say, "Asher is your underwear dry? Tell Mommy when you need to go peepee ok?" in my sleep. That is all I said for 3 days straight. This method is about giving Asher the control and teaching him to learn his body.There wasn't a timer to remind him to go, nor was there sitting on the potty to 'try'. Yes, there were tons of accidents - but only for the first day or so.

Day 1: Friday - Mike is at work. Asher and I ate breakfast and then 'threw away' all his diapers. I couldn't waste them, and our little fatty can now fit into them, so we bagged them and set them outside. At nap time I put them in Ayla's room.

Asher wore underwear and a shirt all day and I pushed liquids. This method teaches the child to know their body and the sensation that comes with needing to go pee. A few accidents in, I realized I can't keep him on the carpet. We moved to the foyer and/or the kitchen to color, play cars, or enjoy a snack. That made things much easier to clean up. I watched Asher and focused on him throughout the process. I picked up his peepee dance quite quickly. It was actually quite cute. He can cross his legs so tight! :) The poor kid knew he had to go but would cry hysterically when it was actually time to pee. The thought of peeing scared him. This is how day 1 went - catch him peeing, race to toliet, change, drink more, do it all over again and with a huge smile on my face praising him for being a big boy in big boy underwear.

By the end of day 1, I knew we had made progress, but was very frustrated none the less. I think I did 5 loads of laundry consisting of underwear and towels.

Day 2: Saturday - Asher woke up dry! I have never been so grateful to have Mike home with us. He was on official Ayla duty. Ayla loved all the attention and it took a LOT of pressure off of me. Asher had his first full pee in the toilet around lunch time. Talk about awesome!!! Just as I started getting frustrated and overwhelmed, Asher made this giant leap. The accidents became fewer and fewer and peepee in the potty became more and more. There was definitely still quite a bit of fear in Asher when going pee, but it got better. We would race to the potty only for false alarms and "Asher all done" to turn around 30 seconds later and do it all over again. This is part of the process. We watched a lot of YouTube videos with Elmo going peepee on the potty. This made him more interested in going on the little potty we have.

I did not want to have a little potty. I thought they were gross and if we didn't have access to it, then he wouldn't be able to go. Well, my mindset changed on this too. At this point, whatever it takes to get him peeing, I was ready for. I am hoping to work on standing this week. When he has to go peepee, I always give the options: peepee like daddy or peepee like Elmo.

Day 3: Sunday - I woke up at 3am to feed Ayla and checked on Asher. He was wet. I debated whether or not to wake him up to change him and while I was standing there thinking, his little eyes popped open, "Time to wake up Mommy?" No, but we got up, went pee in the potty and changed his underwear. Then he went back to sleep and woke up at 7 dry. He also went peepee for the 10th time at 8am - so he got a special treat! You see, everytime Asher put peepee in the potty, he got a sticker and an M&M. Ten times mean a special treat. The first 3 or 4 of those stickers were earned from a few drops of peepee in the toilet, but he was rewarded for any amount. We started over and are close to 10 again, but this time it will be for 10 full peepee trips.

Mike and Ayla went to church, and I was able to focus on Asher. He did great! He only had 1 accident all day long. We even went for a wagon ride around the block! I have to admit that getting out of the house felt awesome! We spent more time on the carpet because I knew Asher was doing better about telling me to go peepee.

I can say that by the end of day 3, Asher was potty trained. I know it can only continue to get better. Going poop in the potty is still in the works. He only went twice all weekend so it is hard to train when not given ample opportunities. We will still work on it.