Potty Training. It Happened.

Thia post is about potty training. It might be extremely boring or TMI for some of you so feel free to ignore. For others it might be interesting. Just know I am writing this for future me and future Sadie.

I put off potty training as long as I could. I had no desire and so there was no rush. The problem was, Sadie was ready. She told me when she was doing her business, she was very interested in what everyone else did in the bathroom, she loved reading "Everyone Poops" and other classics. So when I was in the US I invested in the book "Oh Crap! Potty Training" and started reading. I am definitely the type of person who, when knowing nothing about a topic, needs to immediately dive in and research the hell out of it. I need to create a reference manual and instructions as well as an explanation of the various philosophies for myself so I can choose the right way for me. At least that WAS me. And still sometimes is i guess. But, for potty training, a few different mothers of 3 recommended it to me, and I decided if it worked for them it will work for me. And it did. I read the book and decided we would just go cold turkey for both day and night.

The first week was full of surprises. Sadie did awesome. She got it within a couple hours. There was a lot of naked time and a few accidents (especially when we left the house. Yes she pooped on the beach.) But most of all, because of her age and personality, i had to really let go and let her learn this herself. Hovering and asking her if she needed to go were bad. Leaving her alone and trusting her were (hard!!) good.

Most of all, i learned that people make way too big of a deal out of potty training. I probably didnt need to read a book to figure it out. When parents are under pressure to do it in "3 days" like many online posts promise, then the kid is also under that pressure, and there are negative results.

Using the toilet is a learned behavior. Just like anything, with practice and understanding of expectations, it gets easier.  We are about 3 weeks in, and i would definitely say she is "potty trained". There will be the occassional accident for a while yet I am sure, but so what. I have never been less afraid of poop and pee, and so proud of my daughter for pooping in the right place when she does. Seriously every time I get excited and so does she.

In sum, i recommend the book. It has some great advice, especially how to talk to your kid about it. Certain statements to use (ie never ask them if they need to go, they will say no 99% of time). She also had really great tips about how to night train and make it easier on yourself.

So, good luck! Put that poop in the potty!