Potty training has frightened the life out of me. I don't know why, but the very thought as had me breaking out into a cold sweat. I did a bit of reading and everything I read seemed to make me more anxious and confused. I found advice conflicting too, so I just kind of put it on the back burner, and waited for a sign, like I have done with all other parenting decisions.
It was my husband that started it. He bought a little (cheap) potty at Tesco and put it downstairs. Of a morning he would leave Joseph nappy off until I got him ready for preschool. We didn't go at it 100% and just let Joseph set the pace, this was two months ago.
To our delight, whilst on holiday in Germany, we found Joseph did the same routine as home, and happily went to the potty himself. Over those two months he'd learnt to pull his trousers down and pull them up again. I bought him a selection of underpants. On our return from holiday last Sunday, we started.
I felt really anxious, as I don't drive I was wondering how I would get anything done, would we be housebound until it was sorted?
On Tuesday I discovered that we needed to go shopping. I popped Joseph in his trousers with underpants, and we walked 20 minutes to Tesco. When we got there, we went to the toilets on the guise of Mummy needing a wee. Joseph decided he would like to go too. He did a wee, we did our shopping we got home fine. On Wednesday we took his bike to the park. We found a quiet tree when it was time for Joseph to do a wee. On Thursday we stopped in, on Friday we went to an amazing event I shall blog about during the week, and he was absolutely 100% fine.
I always intended to wait until around 3 years of age corrected, and Joseph is just shy of that. I am glad that we've waited up until now as he is clearly ready, has the maturity to understand his bodily requirements, and the ability to manage himself independently. I am so proud of him!
We have had no accidents at all. Even naps, he's been fine. I had no idea he was really ready, and he's done me proud this week. Poo is a bit of an issue still, but Rome wasn't built in a day, and he'll get the hang of it!
I am sure there are lots of you out there tackiling potty training during the summer holidays, how is it going?
