Well, we've begun the process of potty training and day one did not turn out exactly as expected. Quite a few hiccups and maybe even a catastrophe but I've renewed my hope in the situation and am prepared to dive into it with vigor!
Being a former preschool teacher and having successfully potty trained many children over the years, you'd think it would be easy with my own, right? Think again. I'm emotionally tied to my daughter, which is usually a good thing, when potty training, however...not so good. Today was a roller coaster of emotions ranging from excitement to disappointment.
I was excited to begin potty training with Aaralyn because we have a low key week and not much planned in the way of leaving the house. So, I figured...why not try now? She's showing many signs of readiness from telling us she has to go, or has just gone to seeking out privacy while pooping. She has sat on her potty chair many times before with her diaper on, without, etc...just to get a feel for it. I guess delving into the situation head on was not right for her, though.
This is another good example of "go with your gut!" I kept having these little tugs in my solar plexus and was feeling so anxious for her because she seemed uncomfortable with the whole thing but I was trying to just power through it, stay positive and keep reinforcing that we are using the potty now. She was fine when we were just doing our scheduled "trying" sessions every 15-30 minutes or so but when she actually had to go poop, the situation turned catastrophic quickly.
So, I'm starting fresh on the whole potty training adventure.
#1 - we're going to get a new potty chair that is more comfortable for her.
#2 - I'm seeking advice from one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Pantley in her book The No Cry Potty Training Solution (which I immediately downloaded to my kindle app after the catastrophe)
#3 - I'm taking the gentle approach with her because that's what I know works and what she responds best to
I realized that even though Aari has a very strong little will, she has a gentle soul and is very sensitive. She needs time to process things in her own way. So, I'm backing off and will be slowly introducing potty training in a new way that is best suited to her.
I had a friend tell me today to chillax! she's not going to be going to college in diapers! I totally had to laugh at that and take a step back. When I did, I realized that it was me putting unreasonable expectations on her and probably too much pressure right out of the gate. Potty training isn't going to happen overnight in this household and it's just something I have to deal with. I need to do what's best for Aaralyn and that means, for her, learning this new set of skills is going to take time. So, patience, a virtue that I have very little of, is going to be my new found best friend through this endeavor. Wish me luck! I'll keep posting along the way!
