He Gets It from His Momma...

I promised no potty-training stories, but this was a learning experience for both my child and me.  I hope you see the simple message here and focus less on the potty parts of this blog.

I see so much of myself in Daniel.  His tendency to be a bit dramatic, his need for details, his love for going and not sitting at home, how he loves to go shopping, his outgoing personality, his passion for music and singing, and his tremendous creative ability (we'll focus on that today) are without a doubt qualities and traits Daniel obtained from me.  I never imagined I could look at one of my children and see a reflection of myself looking back at me, and yet Daniel seems to teach me that I still have areas in which I need to grow because he is so much like me.

Just yesterday, I realized Daniel had gotten quiet.  Way too quiet.  I rushed to find him standing in his room with no bottoms on.  I proceeded to change Samuel's diaper when I was amazed with what I found.  Let's face it, Daniel has always found ways to surprise me...  from lining up his cars and trains with their front sides all facing the same way to learning how to open every child safety lock in this house.  However, yesterday's creative genius went beyond my own belief!

As I said, I went to change Samuel and discovered that the wipes box was empty...  well, somewhat.  I have been the recipient of many items in our wipes box (from trains, crayons, and forks to paper, books, and more), but I have never once found anything liquid inside.  Until yesterday.  Daniel had actually used the empty case as his very own, personal potty - thus, his naked bottom half. 

In disbelief, I look at Daniel and ask, "Honey, did you pee in here?"  He replied (creative as ever), "I so sorry, Mommy.  I not make it to the potty fast."  In other words, Yes, Mom, I peed in the wipes box, and I really am sorry about it.  However, I couldn't make it to the potty in time.  When telling my sister about this event, she asked if I scared him by freaking out over the pee in the wipes case.  To be honest, I would have totally been shocked if this were any other child but my own, but I was actually impressed that he was clever enough NOT to make a mess on the floor but grabbed the next best thing he could find.  It's quite genius. 

In that moment, I happened to see a little bit of Jenna in Daniel.  Just like his mom, he attempted to avoid a problem situation by coming up with a better idea.  He even was creative in the way he apologized and told the truth about his misdoing.  I could have been angry, and while I did say over and over that "pee goes in the potty," I was astonished at how his little mind took something simple and used it in a creative way.  Isn't that what I do when I paint?  Isn't that what I do when I embroider?  Isn't that what I do when an idea for a birthday party pops into my head?  I take simple things and allow the creative ability God has given me and use it to the best of my knowledge. It doesn't always turn out pretty, and it might not even be done correctly, but it's what I do.  That's what I saw in Daniel yesterday...  the fact that God has given him a precious ability to be creative even at almost 3 years old, and that itself is a beautiful thing.

Sure, I'd much rather him use the potty next time...  :)

I have to remember this...

I was very certain in the years and days before I became a parent that I would never share naked-sitting-on-the-potty pictures or tell stories about my children regarding their toilet training events.  I don't even like discussing or mentioning pee or poop aloud, much less writing about it.  However, Daniel just made me laugh so hard that I do not ever want to forget how difficult, yet hilarious potty training can be.

Daniel at 34 months old has been potty trained for about 2-3 weeks now.  He really had no problems with it once he realized he actually could do it.  That took all of two days.  I didn't use any treats, tricks, or bribes with him.  That is, until about a week ago...

He began to regress in a not-so-fun-for-mom way.  Daniel continued to pee in the potty with no accidents, but there were other ways in which I was becoming so frustrated with him that I was desperate.  I literally looked at my almost three year old and said, "Daniel, if you will "mess" in the potty all of the time and not in your underwear, Mommy will buy you any Thomas train you want."  At first, I'll admit that he honestly could care less.  He's a hands-on, show-me-right-now kind of kid, so when he continued making messes in his underwear, I wasn't surprised. 

However, Daniel soon found the Thomas object of his affection.  While reading his Danger at the Dieselworks book one afternoon, he discovered a toy he decided he couldn't go without.  He has talked about this Dieselworks Playset for about 5 days now.  Anytime he heads to the bathroom, he is usually mentioning the "crane" or the "diesels."  BUT, he's only messed in the potty once.  ONCE since then.  He's still certain about getting the Dieselworks set, but he isn't so sure about using the potty to do so. 

Just moments ago, after sitting on the potty trying to get the Dieselworks pretty much all of today, he was over in the play area scooting trains around the track when he popped up from the train table.  He dashed by me where I was sitting on the couch, exclaiming, "The poop is coming!  I have to do it for the diesels."  Serious as all get out.

And sure enough, mission accomplished.  Two days in a row.  One more time, and I feel a certain $33 toy is on its way.  I, for one, am quite proud.

Training Begins

I promise not to post naked pictures or shots of him using the restroom, but I will tell you that potty training is, by far, one of the toughest things I've had to do in our parenthood journey...  and this is really only day 1.  For months, Daniel has shown signs of being "ready."  Yet when we'd attempt, I'd get so frustrated that I'd call it off.  I hated the messes and the dirty underwear, and I just wasn't willing to do something that was so hard.

Sounds familiar with life, right?!

He's become quite dramatic over dirty and wet diapers lately, so much so that he cannot stand to keep them on.  He'll walk around like a bow-legged cowboy until someone changes his diaper.  AND, in the case that we don't act quickly enough, Daniel is quite capable of undressing himself, pulling off his diaper, and bringing you the wipes.  I'm serious, this kid floors me at times.

I have been telling Brian that the day of potty training has been fast approaching because with our third set to arrive in May, I cannot imagine the cost, frustration, and stinch of having three little boys in diapers.  I really have been talking it up to Daniel as well, because I know he's the type of kid who has to do things on his own.  He is independent, determined, and sassy.  All of which are making this process rather difficult. 

I believe the Lord really is teaching me (even through this messy process) how my strong will gets in the way of His will at times.  I have a tendency to give up on things when they get tough, and I often want to give in if they aren't going just as I planned.  I get mad and angry and throw pitiful fits in my daily life when God doesn't answer my prayers just as I thought He should. 

In fact, I'm learning that life with a toddler is the same way.  Daniel's strong will is getting in the way of my will, and I can try to push this child all day long but until he realizes that what I am doing and asking of him really is best for him, it's just not going to work.  This is just like me with the Lord.  Until I realize that what God has in store for me is best, I'll keep fighting back and giving up.  Why do that when He is the giver of all good and perfect things?!

So, without giving to many details and to spare those not-yet-parents the thrills of this, I'll just share what I've learned thus far with Daniel...  my 21-month-old potty trainee.

• Getting upset over a mess actually makes me look like the toddler.
• I wouldn't want make-believe characters all over my undies either.
• Don't try to convince your child that the aforementioned characters will be angry if they get pee on them.  It doesn't even seem the least bit realistic.  (Daniel actually laughed at me and said, "Nope."
• Lying to our children about how the potty makes them big kids is pointless.
• Rewards aren't necessary.  Let's face it, if I train my children to pee with M&Ms and suckers, what am I really teaching them?!  That if you do something everyone in life has to do, you'll get a treat?  That's just not truth.
• Praise your child when they deserve it.  Don't punish them for something they are just now learning to do.