Adventures in Potty Training

It's been that time again in the Sias house -- Potty training time! Having successfully potty trained Billy, I decided not to re-invent the wheel and used the same process for TJ that worked before. We go cold turkey, straight to underwear. No pull ups in this house.

The first day TJ shed his diaper, I put him on the potty every 30 minutes and made him sit there until either he went or he sat for 10 minutes. I eventually moved the interval to every 45 minutes and then to every hour. After about a week, he was able to tell me when he needed to go and (thankfully) we were no longer a slave to the egg timer I was carrying around. (Hey, with three kids three and under, I need a reminder for just about everything...)

I am a huge proponent of rewards for good behavior. Thus, just as with Billy, I made Potty charts for TJ. Every time he went in the potty, he got a sticker. After he accumulated a certain number of stickers, I took him to the store and let him pick out a toy. TJ is a smart kid and quickly figured out how to get stickers. After the first hour of day 1, he actually went every time I put him on the potty, instead of waiting the ten minutes. I think we were at the store 3 times the first week picking out toys. Luckily, after the first week, he lost interest in the reward system and it became common place for him to go pee on the potty.

Number 2 was a different story. TJ would break into a panic every time he was about to go. This was new to me. Luckily, I bought a kids' story called "The Potty Train" when Billy was potty training. Billy never needed it, but it was a lifesaver for TJ. It distracted him for long enough to re-gain his composure. After about a day, he started going every time we got to the page that read "And then, when you are really ready, the potty train will blow its whistle: CHUGGA CHUGGA POO POO. CHUGGA CHUGGA POO POO." (Whatever works, right?)

My proudest mom moment came last week. We were at Brookfield Zoo and TJ started doing his potty dance on the playground. I packed up all three kids and headed for the handicap stall of the nearest restroom. I put TJ on the potty and, much to my disbelief, he went number 2!! No crying, no chugga chugga poo poo. After he finished, the kids and I did a celebratory dance and headed to the nearest gift shop for a congratulations reward.

Ever since that day, he has been a potty champ. Another milestone conquered! Way to go TJ. We are proud of you!!