Potty Training Boot Camp Has Begun!
Today I earned a huge salary….or at least those new appliances Joel bought me for our 10th wedding anniversary. Potty training boot camp started this past weekend for Seth and let me tell you, this kid is a doozy! I’ve got my work cut out for me!
If only he smiled EVERY time....
In just a few short days, he’s learned that M&M’s aren’t worth his time to “park it” on the potty chair for a few minutes. And for that matter, neither are Skittles, raisins, Craisins, chocolate chip cookies, pretzels, Godfish, Kool-Aid (oh yeah!), Chee-tos or ANYTHING ELSE in my fridge or pantry. He’s done with books, Imagination Movers and even Seth’s favorite Buzz Lightyear action figure was thrown from the bathroom after he demonstrated his best toileting skills to the onlooking three-year-old. Oh, but Seth CAN do it. He’s done it already, lots of times. He just doesn’t want to, and I’m struggling between feeling like I should strongly encourage him to do it and just keeping things light and fun.
So, today I took the light and fun approach.
And tomorrow I’ll be going back to the strongly encouraging approach.
I know what you’re thinking and what you want to say (and probably will say) to me, “It’s on HIS time. He’ll do it when he’s ready. Don’t push him. Don’t make him do something he doesn’t want to do.” And while I partly agree with you on that thought, I’ll argue that I bet you haven’t potty trained a child with Down Syndrome.
I’ve already tried every tactic that was used with our typically-developing Ella. And while she was a tough egg to crack, I’m finding Seth to be immune to most all of them. Treats, rewards, trips and sticker charts mean nothing to him at this point. I think it’s about simply teaching a new skill. Funny thing about Seth and “new experiences”….he’s generally not a fan until he’s had to do it about a hundred times. That’s not much of an exaggeration….
So, we press on. I can breathe a sigh of relief as he’s warmly snuggled in his bed tonight, knowing that the Pull-Up is working for me while we all take a break. But around 6:30 in the morning, Lightning McQueen will be ready for action for five minutes? Three hours? Who knows?!
Fun for Ella and I as we make our way through all the snacks and delicious juices I’ve stocked up on; the skeptical three-year-old is on to my game. But hey, a hug or a high-five may very well be just as good as an M&M in his book….and that works for me just fine.
PRAY FOR THE POTTY!!
~Emily