Training Day

I have two boys, one (Jo Jo) 25 months, the other 8 months (Ethan). When my second son was born my family threw a diaper shower. I have been drowning in diapers ever since. I have nightmares about them... when I'm awake.

We have been desperate for Jo Jo to start using the toilet. We've begged him, ordered him, still nothing. Not a trickle.

Finally, a light at the end of the diaper changing tunnel. Yesterday, I picked up my children from daycare and SURPRISE! Jo Jo had asked to go to the bathroom and was successful all day! Only as soon as he got home, he seemingly forgot that he was a big boy now. He didn't use the bathroom once. What am I doing to turn him against me?

I have to admit, I haven't done my best at coercing him. I have only recently stopped making negative comments, i.e. "you're stinky", when my reasoning kicked in and I realized that all the negativity I was bringing into that area of his life was probably just stressing him out and preventing him from even wanting to learn. Maybe the effects of my bad behavior haven't worn off yet.

His father wasn't surprised at all. He had been having polite little conversations with Jo Jo about using the potty. It seems to be the catalyst to his revelation at daycare. I am almost speechless. I had been out-parented.

I remember getting all excited and buying a potty chair on his first birthday. FYI: don't go buy a potty chair until closer to the second birthday, unless of course you happen to be one of those superstar parent with the time to start potty training before a child can brush his/her teeth. Our mini john has been sitting on the bathroom floor collecting dust until now. Break out the training pants!