We're in the midst of potty training Boo right now. It's actually going surprisingly well.

Labels: Boo, potty training

I've blogged in the past about our half hearted efforts to work on potty training Snuggle Bug. I know now that he was really too young in January to even entertain the idea of potty training. But now, I think we're making progress!

Potty Training Benefit From Daycare

One of the benefits of having Snuggle Bug in daycare is that his teachers are working with all the 2 year olds on potty training. Every hour they take the kids in to try to use the potty. They all stand in a line and wait their turn to go. I suspect that the success rate is pretty low, but the teachers are establishing the routine and for that I'm thankful.

Mommy & Daddy Need Motivating

Oronzo and I have finally decided to get motivated to reinforce the daycare's potty training efforts while we're here at home. Snuggle Bug has been going potty in his potty chair off and on for about a month now but not on a consistent basis. I know this is in large part due to the fact that we haven't been consistent about encouraging him to go. We've been the lax ones, not him!

Pull-Ups, Big Mistake

Last week Oronzo and I decided to purchase pull-ups and planned on phasing out his diapers. We made a big deal of these pull-ups to Snuggle Bug, calling them his "big boy pants." He was all for wearing big boy pants and was happy to give up on his diapers.

Let me just say that I think pull-ups are a BIG mistake, at least for us! They're considerably more expensive than diapers and, to Snuggle Bug, they're really not much different from diapers, except that he can pull them on and off on his own.

What we found out is that Snuggle Bug treats pull-ups just like his diaper. I think it's because when he pees in them he doesn't feel wet. Pull-ups are too expensive to be used as diaper substitutes!

Age-Old Rite of Choosing Underpants

Yesterday, I decided to take him to Target and purchase him toddler underpants, thinking that if he could feel himself being wet he'd be more likely to want to use the potty.

I let Snuggle Bug pick out his own designs. He agonized over Cars, Thomas, Sesame Street, Nemo, and Diego themed underpants. He chose the Cars and Sesame Street underpants. When we got home, I washed them and immediately put a pair on him. He didn't like them. He wanted his pull-ups back on. I let him run around the house naked instead.

Let the Bribes Begin

After speaking to many parents, I heard over and over again that you basically have to bribe your child into becoming potty trained. I tried bribing Snuggle Bug with a stamp on his hand (he loves stamps) but that lost it's appeal over time.

Now, it's all about presents! I decided to wrap up little gifts (cars, bubbles, stickers, books, and a wee bit of candy...all stuff I already had around the house), put them in a basket, and let Snuggle Bug pick a present each time he successfully uses the potty. Unexpected bonus, I'm using up ugly wrapping paper that I didn't know what to do with!

Bribing is working out pretty well so far. Snuggle Bug loves unwrapping his presents almost as much as he loves seeing what's inside. He's even decided that his underpants are neat too (pull-ups will only be used at night from here on out) and today he wore them at home and at daycare.

Today he went pee twice for me in the potty in the morning and went again for Oronzo this evening. He had no accidents at home and had only one accident at daycare. He actually often tells us when he has to go pee!

I think now that Ornozo and I are making an effort, potty training Snuggle Bug won't be so horrible! We're making progress on the peeing portion of potty training, but haven't made much headway with pooping. I've been told that takes a bit longer.

** Edited to Add **

It's 3 p.m. my time and I've got good news to share! If you're not a parent dealing with or having dealt with potty training, please disregard. :)

This morning Snuggle Bug went pee in his potty four times! Better yet, on his fifth time to the potty, he actually went poop! This is the first time he's pooped in the potty. Hooray! He and I were both excited!

The presents are working like a charm to motivate him! He got 5 presents before I even took him to daycare at 11:30 a.m.

Ornozo just picked Snuggle Bug up and was told that he had a great afternoon. He went potty for them once in the bathroom and his underwear stayed dry the whole time. Oronzo is being brave and put Snuggle Bug down for a nap in his underpants, rather than putting a pull-up on him. Let's hope he stays dry while sleeping.

I think we are officially on our way to really potty training Snuggle Bug!

So, anyone else out there in the midst of potty training? If so, what's working for you?

Labels: parenting, potty training, Snuggle Bug, toddler

I'm becoming quite acquainted with one of our bathrooms lately. It's the one that has Snuggle Bug's potty chair in it.

Each time that Snuggle Bug decides he wants to sit on his potty chair, he insists that I go with him and that I sit on the big potty to keep him company. Is this typical? I never imagined that I'd have to sit on the toilet to appease my son as he sat on his. This isn't exactly my idea of fun, but if it'll help further the efforts of potty training, I'm all for it!

Earlier this month I gave a review on the Royal Potty chair by Fisher Price and my initial impressions weren't so favorable. Well, I think I may be revising my view.

Snuggle Bug is no longer frightened by the music sounds coming from his potty chair. And, although he's inclined to stick his hand or toys into his potty to hear the music, we're working on dissuading him from doing so.

This past Friday evening, I had taken Snuggle Bug in to the bathroom for a bath. Not about to pass up an opportunity, I asked him if he wanted to sit on his potty before getting into the bath. He said, "Yeah!" and willingly went and sat down. Now, I'm not sure if it was the running of the bath water that was the impetus but Snuggle Bug actually went pee for the first time! When I heard the sound of the trumpet music, I whipped around, ready to chastise him for throwing a toy in. Imagine my surprise when he stood up and I peered in and saw pee, not toys, in the potty!! I guess that music is good for something.

I lavished lots of praise on Snuggle Bug and asked him if he wanted a stamp on his hand, since he went pee in his potty. He loves, loves, loves getting stamps on his hand so he was excited and asked me to stamp both hands! I think stamping his hand is going to be a better reward system for him than the sticker chart that came with the Royal Potty, but we'll see.

I still don't think that Snuggle Bug is truly ready for serious potty training but I'm willing to encourage his use of his potty chair at any chance I get. And I guess the Royal Potty chair isn't so bad after all, but I'm still glad I got it on sale!

Labels: family, parenting, potty training, product review, Snuggle Bug, toddler

Snuggle Bug has been showing some interest in the potty lately. Although he's just turned two less than a month ago, I thought it might not be a bad idea to invest in a potty chair and at least introduce him to the concept.

In talking with other moms, and knowing what a wiggle worm my little guy can be, I decided against starting out with the type of seat that attaches to the top of your regular toilet. I knew I wanted a stand-alone potty chair.

I went to Target earlier this week and my attention was captivated by the Royal Potty chair from Fisher Price. It sounded neat with a reward system that is built right in. It plays different tunes to reward your child for their potty deposits. I noticed it also included a storybook and reward chart with reusable stickers. What sealed the deal was that Target had it on sale for $13.92 (regularly $19.99). So, I purchased it for my little prince, proving Oronzo right once again that I'm easily influenced by marketing ploys. I also bought a pair of training pants (cloth on the inside and rubber on the outside) to try out for $5.95.

Excited, I rushed home and assembled the potty chair while Snuggle Bug napped. The chair seemed sturdy enough, once I figured out how to snap the legs onto the core seat. Apparently you can use just the core seat part on top of your regular toilet but that doesn't seem stable enough to me, so I doubt I'll be trying that anytime soon.

After getting the chair assembled, the deflector shield in place, and the narrower-than-I-expected container slid under the seat, I took out the chart, reusable stickers (2 sheets) and the book. The chart and stickers looked neat. The book was a bit flimsy and there wasn't much substance to the story. It also didn't fit very well into the slot behind the chair that the set of instructions noted was designed for that purpose.

I wrote Snuggle Bug's name on the chart, I even drew on a crown next to his name. I taped the chart up on the wall next to the potty chair, at eye level for Snuggle Bug to access. I tucked the stickers safely in one of the vanity drawers for future use.

When Snuggle Bug woke up from his nap, I cheerfully suggested that he go try out his new big boy potty chair. He dutifully followed me into the bathroom, where I proudly displayed my new purchase to him. He cautiously approached, peering at it curiously. I took off his pants and his diaper and attempted to set him on the chair.

The first problem I had was the deflector shield. It got it in the way, making it hard for Snuggle Bug to sit down comfortably. He protested so I removed it.

The next problem I had was the very feature I thought would be the most appealing, the music. The royal potty seat plays a quick, snappy tune (involving the sound of trumpets) when your child sits down. The music startled Snuggle Bug and made him scramble off quickly with a loud protest. It took some coaxing to get him back on the potty again, and he didn't stay on for very long.

I now realize that the sticker chart may not be of much interest to him at this time. I also realize that we probably won't be using the deflector shield. And most disappointing of all, I may be taking the batteries out that power the laser sensor that triggers the music when Snuggle Bug successfully uses the potty. Snuggle Bug has quickly figured out that he only has to wave his hand in the container, or touch the laser point to trigger the music. So, now he goes in just to play with his potty chair and, so far, has no interest in using it to actually go potty.

If I had it to do again, I think I'd buy a plain Jane potty chair. The bells and whistles that this royal potty chair touts, just aren't worth it. I'm glad I got this chair on sale!

Labels: parenting, potty training, product review, shopping, Snuggle Bug, toddler