Phillipians 3:14 has long been taken out of context, so I want to be careful here when I say that this verse kept coming to my mind. You see, as I tried to solely "Focus" on John Parker and "Love" him through the training, I started thinking, "What if I was this "Determined" to meet with my Savior every day?" The Apostle Paul has always been my biblical male hero, and I want to live out what he says in the verse I mentioned - "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
So, as far as the potty-training goes, my "prize" was for JP to tee-tee and poo-poo in the potty. His prizes have been M&M's, dum-dums, and choosing different Chickfila prizes from my "happy box" I have saved over the years.
Those of you who know me best may be shocked that I would do anything "by the book", but in this case, I held close to the page. You will also not be surprised when I tell you that I read the book the night before I began the potty training journey. Yes, that is how I roll most of the time! But, I'm happy to say that JP was tee-teeing in the potty by the end of Day 2 and tonight he came to me on his own and told me he needed to "tee-tee, poo-poo". We are still working on the poo-poo part, but usually when he has an accident, it's because I get sidetracked and busy - just like I do in my walk with the Lord.
So, here are my tips/suggestions and maybe some "what not to do's".
- If you are going to do the 3-Day Potty training method "by the book", then you should purchase the ebook($24) and actually read it at least a week in advance (if not 2 weeks). Get the skinny on Lora's method here http://www.3daypottytraining.com/ . This is not the only 3-day method out there, it's just the one I decided to go with. After all she's been on the Today Show! You also get her Mobile App as well as help from Lora if needed.
- Load your sweetie up on fiber at least several days before you start. It is common for them to get a little constipated when they begin potty training. If you're going to be solely focused in on this and inside your home for at least 3 solid days, you want as many teachable moments as you can get. I did not do this with JP, and only had really one opportunity a day, so if I missed it, then I had to wait until the next day. Load up on liquids as well.
- Pick a time that would be good to be stuck inside for a few days. I chose a crazy time in our life to start, but so glad I did. We had been in our new house for maybe a week when I decided to begin the journey, but the forecast was rain, rain, and more rain, so we really couldn't go anywhere anyway. I started on a Thursday, and didn't leave the house until the following Monday.
- Have all errands taken care of before your start day and a kitchen fully stocked with everything you will need for the next few days. You may want to have some casseroles on hand and easy go-to snacks/meals. Make sure you are caught up on laundry or have someone on hand who can help around the house.
- Supplies we used and continue to use include: "big-boy" undies, flushable toddler wipes, M&M's and dum-dum suckers for incentives. I also use the Ultimate Crib sheet that we used in his crib, as a protector for his bed. This is a diaper and PullUp free method, so get ready to save some money!
- If your child attends daycare, church, MDO, or has any other caregiver besides you and your spouse, they need to be on the same page as you. Be very explicit on what you are doing with your child. Just sending extra clothes with three pair of extra undies, but failing to mention that your child does not wear PullUps, is not explicit enough. Tell them, write it on your child's forehead, whatever it takes! Just kidding, but seriously, be explicit! I was so worried about JP going to MDO and how they would respond to the "no PullUps" rule, but was excited when his new teacher was very supportive in my decision and also agrees that PullUps are a "glorified diaper".
- I keep a change of clothes in JP's backpack, including socks, as well as three pair of undies. I also have a portable potty in the back of the van, just in case. JP refused to sit on it inside the house, so I just decided to designate it as the "on the road" potty.
- The potty that has worked well for us is the Baby Bjorn Toilet Trainer and the Baby Bjorn step stool. I love this particular seat, because it easily adjusts to fit your toilet, and can be moved from room to room.
- If your child will be expected to be diaper-free next school year for MDO, I would suggest starting ASAP, so you don't spend your Summer dealing with potty training.
- If you have someone who can help you with siblings, let them! It is difficult to totally focus on the child potty training, when you have another to care for. The times JP had accidents, were times when I wasn't totally focused on him. If you choose this method, it becomes your obsession, at least for a few days.
- If you have a friend who has been successful with this method, let them know you are starting with your child so they can be prepared to offer you support. My friend, Jenn Fisher, was a great encourager through this process. I remember calling her and asking, "How do I teach him to wipe?" Haha!
**iTunes has a Potty Time with Elmo App. Just found it and planning on purchasing.
