Potty Training Debacles

Okay, so I know I have talked about potty training before, but there is more that you need to know.  

Let's start with timing.  There is none. Plain and simple, there is none.  Your little one can go for hours with no accident and suddenly you find them in a panic as they are urinating on your floor (hopefully not the carpet!)  There is also the occasion when they are playing nicely and suddenly (and I do mean suddenly) they are screaming "I have to pee" and dancing and running to the bathroom.  Sometimes they make it and sometimes they don't.  Finally, there is the "dance" where they are physically trying to hold the urine in with their hands.

Boys have unique potty training experiences.  They find it fun to "pee" in the yard during the summer.  Although my boys never did it, I have been told by some parents that in order to get their boys to use the toilet, they float cheerios in the toilet and have the boys shoot at them with their "guns", so to speak.  My boys were far enough in age that this would not have worked with them.  I personally cannot imagine my ten year old competing at cheerio shooting with his two year old brother.

Girls have a unique experience also.  It is at this age that they learn to go to the bathroom in clusters.  In case you haven't noticed with teenagers, they never go to the bathroom alone!  This carries on into their twenties and even when they marry and become mothers themselves.  Have you ever seen a mom go to the bathroom alone?!  I personally always had a gaggle of geese following me there.

One thing I can tell you about, whether boys or girls is that your toilet will become frequently plugged and could overflow!  Why small people need to use a full roll of toilet paper to wipe is beyond my imagination.  After multiple times of using a plunger you do start thinking of the craziest things to say, like "do not take more than six squares of toilet paper!"  or "NEVER wipe yourself!  I will do it for you!"  I am absolutely positive that our consumption of toilet paper has doubled since the grandkids are around.  Now, I am wondering if it was moms who caused the toilet paper shortages early in the CoVid crisis.  As a mom, being without that precious commodity is definitely a problem!

So many lessons to learn in the course of raising these precious gifts from God!  Even when you have that confused look on your face because you just cannot figure out the thought process they used!   Have a great week.  Count your blessings!  Believe me, there are plenty to count!