What I have learned…
What I have learned during the potty training process
1. Begin a carpet replacement fund prior to beginning the potty-training process.
2. Disregard #1. Begin that fund prior to having children. Or a pet.
3. Skip #1 & #2. Install hardwood throughout the house.
4. If your child avoids having a poop or pee-related accident that day, expect your cat (or dog) to soon puke. One of the three “Ps” will happen each day.
5. Many experts recommend allowing a potty-training child to be naked or in real underwear during the potty training process. Although this is a good tip in theory, get a Bissell Little Green Machine prior to attempting this. (Holding your parent’s machine for ransom works too.) Keep in mind, this tip is in case you disregarded tip #3.
6. Should the naked or underwear-clad, potty-training child scoot his butt across the floor (carpeted floor, in case you are like me and disregarded step #3) in the manner of a dog with a worms problem, be prepared to:
- cry.
- laugh.
- use the Green Machine.
- do a load of laundry to take care of the poop-stained britches.
7. Expect tears, yelling and tantrums. Your child may participate in these activities, too.
8. Parents and the experts are divided on if you should reward the child for using the potty. I believe in the reward system, as I’m investing in not having to invest in more diapers. Happily, his need for rewards has decreased as time has gone on.
9. As the parent of a potty-training child, you may find yourself sharing too much information about peeing and pooping with everyone. The bank officer will most likely understand, if he is a parent of a potty-trained child, but your firefighting friends may roll their eyes at you. Also, your single, childless coworker may avoid you during this duration.
10. Have patience. It is almost as important as having the sense of humor.
Once again, I have to apologize for the post completely about potty training. It has been a long process and occupies our home life as we get closer and closer to complete success. Fall is our new deadline for being free of diapers, but I’ll be happy if he is absolutely trained by the time he turns three (January).
He is having fewer and fewer accidents every day, but we still have a few issues. Per every parent I’ve talked to, boys tend to take a bit longer and aren’t ready to be completely trained until later, so truthfully, I think we are doing well. Especially since I know I have a strong-willed child, who is challenging and delightful.
Also, Bissell has not provided me with any products or payment to mention them. I’m just really pleased with the Green Machine and am happy that it appears we will be receiving one as a family gift in the future. (Until then, I’m holding my parent’s machine hostage.)
That’s the ONLY thing I don’t miss, now that my kids are older… I always HATED potty training! *lol* … We did the bare bottom thing with Jared, but it was summer so we spent a lot of time outside. *lol*
It is summer, but because we’ve had some overly warm days and lots of mosquitoes, we haven’t been out as much.
Ah – thanks for the memories! And all of your advice is so so spot on
The Hubby is almost convinced to extend hardwood throughout our house, instead of just replacing the carpet eventually.
I used rewards too. Totally works.
One of the things I like best about our house is that it has hardwood floors throughout. Potty training or not, I hate cleaning carpets.
I shall now envy your hardwood. I love our kitchen and dining room – just wish we had it in the living room, office & entry, too. The bedrooms can stay carpeted.
My friends and I used to call the bare-bottom method the $75 training method. The $75 was for cleaning the carpets afterwards, LOL.
I understand the want of new carpeting. I was glad when we had ours done.
Now it’s just the cat’s messes that affect us, and that Green Machine, it is a life saver!
We had just talked about when we would replace the living room carpet. I’m excited that the Hubby is on-board with my wish for more hardwood. I can’t wait for our Green Machine, but mom and dad’s is still at my house in the meantime.
Hi RC,
I really think you need to forward this post onto Bissell – They may be so impressed with your unpaid review, they’ll send you two.
In fact, I’m going to Tweet about it and see if you get any Bissell executives responding.
Thank you, Barbara! You are sweet, and funny. Thanks for the Twitter mention!
It’s been years since I potty-trained my kids. I do remember, however, when they were old enough – having them wash their underwear ONCE was enough to convince them that toilets are wonderful things indeed.
I love that idea! Although, since he’s only two and a half, I’m afraid he would have more fun playing in the sink while washing out the underwear. Thanks for visiting!
I’m glad you shared all this info, I am filing this away for when it’s my turn, or rather my son’s turn!
Start the fund now. And look into which hardwood floors you would like. Or purchase the green machine.
This was fun to read! It think it should have been sent somewhere for publication.
You are so sweet, kweenmama! Thank you!
By 3??? My son wasn’t potty trained until he was 3 3/4, a full year older than Little Dude is now!! And by all measures, he is at the top of his academic class in 3rd grade now. Go figure. Good luck and I would suggest using rewards AND pull-ups. Then again, my son was potty trained at 3 3/4, but I’m happy to say that my daughter gained six months for the process.
I’m making 3 the goal, as they will hold him back in his “school” until he is potty trained. And he is right on or ahead in most of his other development areas, so I don’t want that to happen. We have a little time yet, but am hoping we have it done a couple months early – just for good measure.
Funny post! Check out WriterDad’s other (non-writing) site: http://www.pottytrainingpower.com/
This guy knows his … er … uh … “stuff.”
I’ve actually checked that out! And if all else fails…