Potty training 101

After spending the last few months wondering how on earth I was going to potty train Emily - totally terrified and overwhelmed by this thought, she has totally surprised and proven me wrong this last week. I have read a gazillion things on potty training. Bought every magazine that claimed to have the 'ultimate potty training solution', and bought books and read blogs on how to "in 7 days." All still very overwhelming. Honestly, I came to a cheat solution and decided that I would leave it up to my gran to try and do when she comes in June to stay for 3 weeks to help me with the new baby and Emily. Something to keep her and Emily 'busy' while I see to baby!? haha, lame, I know!
Anyway, Emily started showing an interest last week in using the potty. She has made wees on it before - but not consistently. Last week her interest became fairly regular and I thought, 'OK, well, lets see where this goes.' So every time she asked to wee, I humored her and sometimes she did and sometimes she didn't.
But as the days this week have progressed I have realized that she is very serious about this... so I decided to get serious too. 
So half a day yesterday and so far this morning she has not worn a nappy and has done really well. She tells me when she wants to wee on the potty and yesterday told me she wanted to poo. When she did, she got a huge fright and was totally grossed out, but none the less, she did and I explained to her that making poos on the potty is good. She was a little less freaked out after that. Of course, at this point she is still wearing a nappy for nap time in the afternoon and in the night. Impressively yesterday when she woke up her nappy was bone dry and she went straight to make a wee on the potty. This morning as well - well it wasn't dry, but she went straight to the potty. 
Last night when Leon got home, he made her a toilet step so that she can get onto the toilet nice and easily, rather than using the potty. She is just loving it - only problem  is she has become a little bit of a toilet 'hogger' - which has made life very entertaining. Especially when her and Leon argue about who needs the toilet more! LOL!


So in conclusion, I have realized that there is no point in stressing about potty training. Your child knows his or hers body and will know when they are ready. So many times we make potty training a massive issue - and both you and your child get totally stressed out. We have a need to compete with the person down the roads kid that is already potty trained and is young than your child. We cant compare our child and the pace that they go. Boys and girls are different and,  EVERY child is different. We need to step back, take a deep breath and realize that everything will happen in good time and just enjoy the journey with our little "Bounce-A-Lots".

So I hope that this has encouraged any of you that might find yourself in this place. And for those of you that haven't gotten there yet - hope it gives you some peace of mind. For for those of you that have been there and done that and never doing it again - I hope that it makes you smile.


Have a sunshiny day everyone!