A parent’s Christmas present
It was the best Christmas present ever – after months of patient coaching my two-year old daughter finally sat on the potty and peed all by herself.
I beamed with pride, grinned from ear to ear and called all aunts and uncles to update them on their niece’s progress.
The euphoria lasted for exactly one hour when she made her second try to use the potty. She could not get her pampers off quickly enough and pretty much peed on the floor. My first reaction was to get mad, then I remembered that these things take time so I gave her a kiss for her second attempt.
From my reading on potty training, it is said that this takes a lot of patience – plenty trial and error. Heaven knows I am not looking forward to the accidents that will come when she starts using the potty to pass her stool – but I will just have to grin and bear it.
Every parent often wonders when is a good time to start potty training. But a good indicator is when the child starts showing an interest in the potty.
Every child is different. Most kids develop the necessary physical and cognitive abilities to begin using a potty anywhere from 18 to 24 months. Some are not emotionally ready and willing until they’re 3 or even 4 years-old. You’ll know your child is ready when he…
1. is interested in coming into the bathroom with you to find out what goes on there and perhaps even sits on the toilet by himself.
2. understands what the toilet is for and what having a wet or dirty diaper means. If he also shows a preference for being clean and dry – fussing when he’s wet, pulling off a dirty diaper, or asking to be changed – then you are on the right track.
3. knows the words for urinating and having a bowel movement (such as ‘want to use potty’ or ‘want to peepee’ or whatever words your family chooses).
4. can stay dry for at least two hours at a time.
5. has regular bowel movements with soft, formed stools most of the time.
6. can and will follow simple directions, such as those for washing hands.
7. can help pull pants up and down.
8. seems to recognise at least a few seconds ahead of time that he’s about to go, and can tell you before it happens. (Many children will squat, leave the room, or get “the look” before having a bowel movement.)
9. is in a willing, receptive mood and isn’t going through any major transitions (like adjusting to a new sibling or school).
10. demonstrates a desire for independence (for example, wants to be a “big boy” and do things for himself) – or, better yet, shows a specific desire to use the toilet like daddy and mommy.
There should be no pressure to force your child to use the potty if he or she is not ready.
Now onto my other parenting Christmas presents – cold, flu, throat infection and constant visits to the doctor.
My two year-old, Leila, was also the first to get a throat infection and later a cold. With true love she passed it on to me and two days later, her little brother, Djvan got it. So Christmas found us all recovering from the flu/cold and a very frazzled dad trying to nurse everybody.
My only consolation was that all my friends and everybody else I knew was in the same boat. Either parents and or kid/s was sick with the flu or a cold which seemed to be spreading this holiday. What can I say, misery loves company.
I am now almost totally recovered from my ‘holiday gift’ and I am looking forward to the new year with the hope that it gives kinder presents than this last one that I got.
Happy New Year and best of luck parenting.
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