Saturday, December 7, 2013

Potty woes

**Stop here if you don't want to read about my child's bathroom habits**

Potty training.  I knew this would be hard but I wasn't prepared for this.


A few months ago Dawson started going to daycare one day a week.. for some socialization and for my sanity.  That went really well until just before Halloween.  I went to pick him up one day and was told he had been punished for pooping his pants and lying about it. Crap! Literally.  I immediately pulled him out, as she really didn't see the error of her ways and it was something we specifically asked not ever happen.  I knew Joe and I had made the right decision when he suddenly went to 2 weeks of every pee and poop in his little potty chair, to being afraid of it and unwilling to poop at all.  The potty chair had to go away for a while and we were back in diapers full time.  Insert Mommy sad face here.  

Since then, going poop is happening less and there's a lot of prancing around for hours and crying because he just doesn't want it to happen.  It's seriously one of the saddest things I have ever seen.  Joe and I have done lots and lots of talking up the potty, being a big boy, etc.  I decided a few days ago we needed to try again after coming to the conclusion that things were getting much worse.  

Out came the trusty red potty .  We had some meltdowns over it the first day but many successful trips to the potty.  He even pooped in it! I had to hug him while he did it and the prancing around still happened along with the crying, but I was happy.  No major improvement since then, still holding it as long as he can, but I will take what I can get.  

I'm not really sure what to do from here on out.  I don't feel like this is going great but this is totally the kid that would be happy to wander around in a dirty diaper for who knows how long.  Do I just stick with it? Back off until he's not afraid to poop anymore? (We tried this approach, obviously) Take away diapers completely (he wears them at night and for nap)?  Consult his doctor? 

If you made it this far, you deserve flowers and chocolates.  

2 comments:

  1. How old is your son? I am getting ready to start potty training my daughter but she doesn't seem quite ready yet. We have the potty & try to make her comfortable with it but she doesn't quite display the ready signs yet.

    ReplyDelete
  2. He will be 3 in February. What kills me the most is that we had it DOWN.. I know he's capable. But, I guess once again I should try to exhibit some patience. I just worry about his health with him holding it. We have had a potty chair kicking around our house since he was old enough to follow us into the bathroom :)

    ReplyDelete