Potty Training 102

Just when you think you've got it down, don't be surprised if you find something like this...

Sorry, this isn't for the faint of heart! Let me explain... Chase was in his room having 'quiet time' while I was posting the last blog, I had just hit 'publish post' when I heard someone crying. I went upstairs to find Chase standing in his room with his pants down saying, "don't spank me!" All I could do was laugh at how ironic this was. So from the expert on potty training, your kids will have accidents, take it from me!

Potty Training 101

So I get alot of people asking me how to potty train, when to potty train, etc. I guess having done it 4 times doesn't really make me an expert, but I know a few tricks. So I thought I would do a post about potty training and the joys and eventually successes that will come from it.

Some things that you need to gather together before you get started:

1. A couple of months before you start, read potty training books to your kids and watch videos for potty training. Also, bring your child in with you while you use the potty and talk to them about what to do. Let them flush the potty for you to get used to the sound, so it won't scare them. (if your like me, I don't remember the last time I used the toilet without one of my children in their with me!) (I kind of have to laugh at this picture, because that VHS is so old! We bought it when Trey was being potty trained, and all my kids have watched it. The picture didn't come out too good, but it is called "Once Upon A Potty")

2. You will know when your little one is ready to be potty trained. Some of the signs are pulling on their diaper; asking you to change their diaper when they are wet; hiding somewhere when they go pooh(and getting mad when you catch them doing that!); also if they are staying dry through their naptime.

3. So what to use when potty training. I have never and don't think you should use pull-ups on your child during the day. They don't help your child 'feel' the wetness. Even the ones that say they do. They are too much like a diaper. I buy the training pants that have a thicker material through the crotch area.(I hope you know what I am talking about, I don't have a picture of them)So when they have an accident, they definitely don't like the feeling, and you don't have to worry about a puddle of pee on your floor (win-win situation!)Once you start the potty training, DO NOT put another diaper on your child! At night use the pull-up.

4. You need some sort of bribe for your child to use the potty. With Trey, I got a roll of pennies and everytime he used the potty he got to put a penny in the jar on the back of the potty. Once he was completely potty trained, we took the money(plus some of our own)and when to the store and he bought a toy of his choice. With the rest of them, candy in a jar in the bathroom seemed to work. But they only got the candy if they 'told' me they had to use the potty and then were successful on the potty. For you child, you may want to go to the Dollar Store and get a handful of cheap toys, put them in a basket on the back of the toilet and when they use it, they get to pick out a toy, or if they stay dry all day with no accidents they get to pick a toy.

5. I almost forgot...you will need a potty chair or seat for your toilet. I like to have both. In the beginning you can put your child on the potty chair in front of their favorite show and see if anything happens. Once they move on to using the toilet, transition to the potty seat that sits on top of the toilet seat.

So lets get started...You really should dedicate one whole week to this process, maybe longer. Find a week where you can just stay at home and let your child run around naked or in his training pants (less laundry to do!)

You have been watching the movies and reading the books and your child should be excited about being a 'big girl or boy' If your child has older siblings, you can enlist them in helping their sibling get excited for this new adventure.

Start with sitting your child on their potty chair while they watch their favorite episode of "Dora". If they use the potty, reward them in some way. The rest of the day, take your child to the potty every hour. I sometimes had to set a timer, because with other children in the house, I would easily get distracted and then my child would have an accident. DON'T scold your child when they have accidents. Try to stay calm, even when you are cleaning poop off the floor.

At night time, have your child use the potty before they go to bed, then put on the pull-up. If they wake up dry, reward them again. Usually by day 3, your child will be doing this...

all by themselves!
Success and happy potty training!

What else? New Years Resolutions

So we sat down on New Years Day to make some resolutions. Don and I already know what we wanted to do, lose weight!! We are planning a trip to Utah this summer and I don't want to be the fat sister anymore! We are trying the Atkins diet and this is day 4. Going good so far, I am down 5lbs and Don is down 10lbs! Why is it that men always lose faster than woman, just wondering? The first 2 weeks we can have no carbs at all and the the first day was downright lousy! We both had headaches from the lack of sugar. We both commented how we didn't realize how addicted our bodies were to sugar and carbs. Each day it is getting a little easier. After the first 2 weeks, or induction phase is over, we slowly introduce good carbs, like the ones found in fruits and vegetables.

Treys resolution is to be quieter about everything. For those of you who know Trey, you know what I am talking about. For those that don't, he is a really loud child and has to do everything loudly. If he is brushing his teeth, he is usually banging his knee against the vanity at the same time. He never just walks up the stairs, he gallops up the stairs on his hands and feet, sort of like a monkey, and really loudly. So needless to say, I was excited about his decision, but I also felt a little guilty because I know I am constantly telling him to be quiet.

Emma said that she would eat the same things that Don and I are eating to help support us. I thought that was sweet. She is also our child who will try all kinds of food, so she will be up to eating fish, steak and chicken.

My other resolution is to complete the LDS church literacy program for 2010. The first goal is to pray to my Father in Heaven twice a day. I am not good at praying in the morning. The next goal is to read the scriptures daily. And lastly, to smile more! Seems silly, but I am looking forward to peoples reactions when I am constantly smiling. This resolution is really going to help me grow spiritually closer to my Heavenly Father. And I hope in turn, will help me be a better wife, mother and friend.

School starts tommorrow and I am pretty excited to get back into a routine. I hope you all have many resolutions this year that will uplift and inspire you to be a better person! What are some of your resolutions? Also, does anyone have any food suggestions for the Atkins diet?