This past week was a busy week in the Eddins house. I also have to be honest and tell you that it was also one of those stressful, feeling like you are at the end of yourself, echoing many “Help Me, Lord!” prayers kinds of weeks too.
This past Monday, we started potty training with Savannah. My first attempt was a couple of weeks ago and lasted less than a day. After having her sit on the potty practically every 30 mins. with no success and probably 6 accidents (2 of which were poopy) before lunchtime, I knew I needed to regroup. Not only were my nerves shot, but we were out of panties! If my first attempt was any indication, this was not going to be a easy as I had hoped.
My strategy this go ’round was Lora’s 3 Day Potty Training Method, which came highly recommended by my blog friend. I figured that I could handle most anything if it meant Savannah would be potty trained in 3 days!
Here’s the basic gist. **I must warn you that this method is INTENSE and requires that you basically drop all activities for 3 days so you can execute these concepts!**
1. Throw away the diapers altogether!
2. Don’t ask your child to use the potty, but remind them all throughout the day to tell YOU when they need to go. This means there will be plenty of accidents!
Day #2 – Tuesday
She had more success today and started to either tell me, or I would catch her in the act and she would finish going on the potty. I felt more encouraged and thought maybe this would actually work! 🙂
Day #3 – Wednesday
Another rough day! I was feeling frustrated and discouraged at the end of the day because I felt like any progress we made the previous day was out the window. She only went once successfully! 🙁 And this was day 3, when everything was supposed to “click!”
Day #4 – Thursday
We ventured out so I could attend my Bible study. I took the potty chair with us in case we needed it. She had an accident while she was there, but did have some success that day. Things were looking up a little!
Friday was a bit of a turning point and she went 6 times. She went once on her own without even telling me, so I knew she was getting it. On Sunday, I had quite a few moments of frustration because I could tell she had to go, but she kept refusing. In my impatience, I started asking her if she had to go rather than waiting for her to initiate, which just upset her and made her dig in her heels. I had to remind myself to stick to the methods and not push it.
Overall, I think we are on the right track. She’s getting better and better each day and I find that she will surprise me just in the moments when I feel like she is backsliding! I have been pleasantly surprised that she’s also starting to wake up with a dry Pull-Up. I am hoping we can stop using those once she’s a little more consistent during the day.
