Most people agree that you shouldn't begin potty-training your child until she is ready. But how do you know when you're child is ready? Here is a brief questionnaire that can help you answer this question.
1) My child's favorite book is:
a. Goodnight Moon.
b. Green Eggs and Ham
c. Toilet Training in Less than a Day
d. Twilight
2) My child's favorite snack is:
a. Cheese
b. Candy
c. "Poop Yogurt" aka Activia
d. Laundry detergent.
If you answered C to both questions, your child is ready. If you answered D to both questions, your child needs psychological help.
The story behind this picture is that I had borrowed the book from one of my friends. The system described in the book is a very intensive day of training, and I was planning to do it with gusto. However, it seemed like the big day just kept getting pushed back. Then one day I turned around and Lily was flipping through the book, "reading" it to herself. That night she asked Alec to read it to her instead of reading a princess story. Which gave me an idea--I'll teach her how to read, then she can just do it herself!
Long story short, the day went very well and she has been using the potty ever since. I think the system is well-designed and based on solid behavioral principles and I highly recommend it to anyone who dreads potty training as much as I do. That being said, it also had the added benefit of providing some humorous reading material. After describing the system, the authors describe a training scenario--complete with the mother's ruminations. Here is an excerpt for your reading pleasure.
"Her hopes were soon realized. She had just given Mickey a drink at one of the dry-pants checks and was setting the glass on the table when she saw him walking over to the potty chair. He pulled down his pants and sat on the potty. This is it, she thought, he is going to the potty by himself. Then began the sweetest sound she had ever heard. "Pee-pee, potty!" he said. Her heart skipped a beat" etc. etc.
Practical advice and a literary masterpiece in one book.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
It's Potty Time!
Posted by Jen and Alec at 4:25 pm
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13 comments:
That truly is poetry right there. I wish you had shared it with us the other night. My heart skipped a beat just reading it. So the book works, huh?
Okay so does it work for boys too????? I am SOOOOO sick of changing big diapers and plus he's now growing out of size 5's and needs size 6! He's not even 2 1/2!
Jen, you are amazing. I hope my little one is that easy to train. She is so darling. It might be the pregnancy right now but I am tearing up over the fact that I can't just come down and see you. We miss you so much!
That is so awesome. I actually bought that book, but ended up not needing. Bethany just decided to do it on her own. :) Hooray for Lily doing so well.
Potty-training is my Waterloo (no pun intended). That, and sleep training. Do you think this would work for boys, too?
that is hilarious and soo awesome if that really works! I have one of the twins down but the other is not EVEN close!
I'm so impressed by Lily's reading, but that's overshadowed my intense jealousy. Lily's wearing shorts and short sleeves!?!! Can I move in with you?
I drove by your old house today and a little tear rolled down my cheek. :( Miss you guys!
hahaha I remember one night when I was down there and Alec skimmed through the book and talked about how the "Big Girl Princess" went to the potty on the toilet. I had a really hard time not laughing, but I guess if it works it works.
Wow, that's awesome! Go Lily!
I dread potty training with passion. Mostly because once you think you've figured it out, the next one completely screws with your theory. We've potty trained three kids in the last two years and I have to tell you, I'd rather deliver a baby than potty train it. Too bad it's not possible to trade those tasks with another mom!
That is the book I used to potty train my boys also. That is great that she is doing it so well. I hear you on the whole hating to potty train I dreaded it and then finally just took the plunge and it wasn't as hard as I thought.
Yeah Lily! Good job! She looks so old in these pictures. It seems like forever since we saw you guys! Are you coming up for Easter?
I used this book for my first child (a boy)and a little bit with the second (a girl). I thought it was a great book. The third one just took care of it himself. I guess I have to apologize for not having any terrible experiences with potty training. Just glad to not have to worry about it. Tiffany
If you miss the book, you can borrow it anytime. You didn't have to return it for like 2 years--Sorry lily, i would have let you keep reading it.
missy
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