Encouragement for Potty Training Mamas

Potty Training Late Bloomers:

First of all, I just want to take a moment and give a little shout out to my son, Jeremiah!  He has been completely potty trained since our "poop on the floor" incident.  For those of you are not my facebook friends, this was the day where he decided he wanted to act like a dog.  So, he preceded to poop on the floor as a dog would.  Props for him noticing how animals do the "deed", but nonetheless!!!   As if that couldn't have been a test of pure patience for the typical stay at home mom, my daughter (Adrielle who is 22 months now) was the one to break the news gently.  She brought me the poop.  Disgusting I know!   God was testing my patience that day for sure!!   I cleaned up the poop, and cleaned up his rear, then stepped inside my room and just began to cry.  I was so upset and mad at him for doing that, knowing that he knew better!  I took about five minutes to 'cool' off my temper before I handled the situation.  I gathered my thoughts and went into his room.  I gave him my mom speech and then collected all his toys, train table, TV, DVD player, etc and took it out of his room.  He was left with a bed, a dresser and clothes.  This mama was not playing.

However, since that day, the concept finally clicked and he is officially potty trained.  I could not be more proud of him!!!! 

He even goes completely by himself and only calls me when its time to wipe.   Also let me just say one thing:  Several other moms have made comments about him being so much older (he is 3.5) , and theirs learned much earlier...etc.... and please allow me to defend my reasoning for waiting to "press" the issue of potty training:

1.  All children ARE DIFFERENT.  I didn't want to force him into anything that was going to become a BIG ordeal and hassle in his eyes.  It was his decision to start not mine.

2.  Jeremiah briefly attended a daycare with other children who were potty trained but not long enough for him to take notice: FACT: Most children who learn how to potty learn from older siblings or other children in a daycare setting.  My son had neither.

3. When most moms "typically" start potty training...around 18 months or so, I was 5 months pregnant with Adrielle and on BED-REST.  The LIFE and HEALTH of my baby girl and mine, was MUCH more important than to stress the issue of potty training before she arrived.

4. Once Adrielle arrived, I felt that the extra attention that I was having to give to her over Jeremiah would cause him to revert back to diapers and pull ups anyways, and I just didn't want him to freak out and have to stress over these things.  He was already in a new environment/home, he had a baby sister, things were just too crazy for him not to mention he was extremely jealous, and I didn't want to stress him out over something like that.  

5.  Slowly he became interested in peeing like his daddy or his papa as he would say, so we started the training process.  By this time he was already 3.  From then on he was doing fantastic, just not totally engaged in the "poop" training.

6. Our BIG move. To move from house to house is in itself a transformation, especially for young children,  but we moved to a different state! Away from family, away from friends, away from everything that was comfortable to him.  The whole packing process, moving, etc totally got his nerves shot out and he would revert back to potty'ing' on himself. Finally once we settled in at our new home, and we all began to encourage him more, he began to pick up very fast! The rest just fell into place.  When he pooped the first time, we made a HUGE "whoop-to-do" and celebrated with money and ice-cream. now everything is second nature.

So in response to those comments of "my child was potty train SO much earlier"  I am not an expert on Parenting by any means, however, I know my child.  I chose to do what was best for him.  My concerns were not keeping up with the next mom on the block of having a 12- month old potty trained child!  Just my opinion. Just my child.  

Your child may be very different and express an interest early.  I congratulate you in advance!  However, if he/she isn't, don't fret.  It will be okay!

*just my little spill for today!*

Be Blessed!

~Laura