Tuesday, August 24, 2010

To Pee or Not To Pee (in the Potty)?

Today, I finally found them:
They are apparently the last pack of 2T Elmo panties in the greater Nashville metropolitan area. Okay, maybe not, but I did have to look in 7 different stores to find them, and they were the only Elmo panties (of any size) at Kohl's. Nana Dana found another pack in Ohio, and I've backed up the Elmo supply (our a-game) with a pack of Disney princess panties. (Of course, the 2T's are huge on Becca, but they do seem to stay up on her, which is more than I can say for many of her pants.)

We've got:
an Elmo potty seat,

a Dora potty seat,


a royal potty,

and a Baby Bjorn "Little Potty,"
aka "Bear Potty," and the only one of the bunch that really fits her.
(It's intended for infant potty training and/or travel use.)

And since no trip to the potty is complete without a little reading material, we've got:



(all for sale at www.ittybittybooks.info, of course!), and

because every little fairy needs some potty sound effects.

SuperMom's got some reading material as well:


And, most importantly, I've got a two-year-old daughter who insists on doing everything herself, who takes off her diaper, who knows how to hand Mommy paper and flush the toilet, who can tell me when she is going "pee-pee" and loves to sign "potty" when she's pooping, who can reliably walk to the potty by herself, who can (when she is so inclined!) follow 2-step directions, and who can't stand being wet or dirty. (Hey, we might as well let this sensory processing disorder work for us for a change, right?)

My working plan is to do the three-day potty training boot camp: no diapers, no training pants, no pants at all for three days. Potties scattered throughout the house (hence the multitude of potties). Every 15 minutes without an accident earns an M&M or 2, with trips to the potty at least every 30 minutes. Pee-pee or poop in the potties earns massive celebration and as many M&M's as her tiny hand will hold. Diapers at night, Pull-Ups at nap? Since we don't actually ever get 3 days at home in a row (due to therapy, etc.), we'll have to modify some, but my gut tells me that my headstrong, all-or-nothing kiddo will work best with this kind of method. The questions that remain are 1) whether or not Becca is truly ready (she is on the young side still); and 2) whether or not I can stick to my guns. SuperDad is game for whatever, assuming he still gets to go to work and all. Tentative go-time is next week.

So, what do you think? Am I insane? Can we do this? What potty-training practices do you suggest? What tips or tricks do you have?

9 comments:

  1. 30 minutes seems a bit long between potty trips. I had to set the timer for Parker for 15 minutes, or I was cleaning up pee pee. Then again, Parker is a big drinker.

    Good luck with the potty training! Exciting!

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  2. Good luck! I love "Everybody Poops"! So do all three of my kids (7,5 and 3).

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  3. http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Potty-Artist-Provided/dp/B0000CBLBB/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1282752158&sr=8-3

    I remember this tape from when I was little. The potty song is also very catchy.

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  4. Ooh--I like the Abby book (and the others)! Kate liked Sesame St. yesterday, and I think Abby is precious!

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  5. I babysat 3 boys one summer and they had a 21 month old that was fully potty trained. If she's interested go for it.

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  6. Riley potty trained herself and was completely done and finished no accidents on her own at all times by 2 1/2. Emma was more challenging and literally was potty trained thanks to itunes and a serious itunes budget...done by 3. LK has been asking since 17 months to potty and really just likes to sit on it and play. Point is- they are all different, it takes different methods and they all get done when THEY are ready. My advice- just go with it and let her guide you...you have plenty of time. Good luck

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  7. In general, seems early for a boy but probably just fine for a girl who's interested. I don't think it's the method as much as the readiness.

    I also think 30 minutes is fine for time; any less and they won't know what it feels like to have a full bladder.

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  8. i love the potty boot camp idea!

    i think i may steal that for a few months from now for my son (he just turned 1)

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  9. Get Elmo's potty time dvd. Its a hoot. And brought to you by the letter "P" and the number "2".

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