Adventures in Potty Training

When my son turned one, I started doing some light Elimination Communication. It was so exciting every time we "caught" a pee or a poo in the potty. Recently, I unexpectedly dove full on into potty training, and it has been an adventure! Now instead of excitement, it feels more like a relief when we catch a pee or poo. Still, I try to make it exciting for the little one. 

I have to say though, my son got my hopes up thinking this may be an easier process than it has turned out to be. Over the summer, he started having some dry nights. Since we've started potty training he's had more dry nights, and somehow I thought bladder control would translate to quicker and easier potty learning, but I was wrong. 

Instead, our son now has incredible bladder control and can hold his pee for 6 hours during the day! One time I think he held it for over 7 even. The will to avoid sitting on the toilet is strong! 

Apparently, some kids do this though. We saw some friends over the weekend and a couple of them said the same things about their kids. Their kids are a little older and apparently can even hold their poos for 5 days. 5 days!!! Gosh, I hope we don't get to that stage.

The good news is that my son is very aware of peeing. If he poops his pants he doesn't always seem to mind, but I think that's starting to change. However, I'm struggling with getting him to tell me when he needs to go, let alone take himself to the potty. Sign language hasn't clicked either. I'm hopeful though. Hearing other families' experiences has been encouraging. So, I'm hopeful that we'll get there. There's progress little by little and I have to remind myself...baby steps (literally).

For example, tonight was the first time he whined about wetting himself. Usually he'll stop and notice it, but tonight he was actually distressed by it. I don't know if that will push him to let me know when he needs to pee or take himself to the potty, but parenting is like a never-ending crash course in patience. Other parents keep telling me that one day, it'll just suddenly click. So pray for us this day comes sooner than later 🙏🏽

I have to remind myself of the small, easily overlooked wins. Otherwise, this whole process might make me want to cry...or rip my hair out...or both. It's a whole new level of exercising that gentle parenting, for sure! 

So, I guess the real big news...is that this is the end of our cloth diaper journey for now.  On the bright side,  I'm still able to use the diapers to clean up all the accidents and every time he pees straight over the toilet instead of into it.

See? I told you cloth diapers are super handy and versatile! :D

Stay tuned for a post on our full cloth diaper journey and everything I learned from this fluff butt love.