All Aboard the Potty Train!

About three weeks ago, Morgan and I hopped on the Potty Express in hopes of a smooth journey to Diaper-Free-Big-Girl Land. It's been an interesting ride so far, and since it has consumed my waking hours lately, I can't help but tell everyone about it. I never would have thought I would have so much to say (and even sing) about pee and poop, but that appears to be yet another perk of being a mom.

What I didn't anticipate is the roller coaster ride that it would be for me. Morgan seems to be taking it in stride, but somehow my emotional barometer is tied to whether or not something appears in the potty. This probably has to do with the fact that we have been in a pretty steady parenthood groove for a while. Having a toddler, instead of rapidly changing infant, has given us a sense of confidence, knowing how to handle most things that come our way. But potty training was something I secretly wished Morgan would just teach herself. For several months we'd been talking and playing potty time - with her pretending to go, making her doll go pee, watching Mommy use the bathroom, and all the other publicly inappropriate bathroom-related activities you can think of. Even though I know it's something that all parents do at some point....and everyone I know over the age of 4 or 5 seems to have this mastered, it still made me second-guess my parenting skills.

I'd read books that had ways to tell if your child was ready for potty training. I bought "supplies" to get ready (big girl undies, stickers, potty books, reward charts, pull ups, special wipes, etc. etc.), but none of that magically taught Morgan how to do it, or made me feel any more ready to take this on. And I didn't want to be one of those pushy parents that forced their kid to do something before they were ready. After all, she's the one in charge here - I really don't have much control over what she's doing (a lesson I'm sure I will be reminded of over and over over the next couple decades).

Then, as if there was a sign from the potty gods, we had the first annual "Naked Poncho Day." I could also have called it "No, Mom, I'm going to be naked and not get dressed and not go to play group where you have a chance to talk to adults and you will be my hostage here at home and yes I will wear only my green poncho Day!" but I didn't. Instead, I turned a moment of toddler spontaneity/insubordination into the kick-off day for potty training my daughter!

Fortunately for me, Morgan caught on pretty quickly once the diapers were off. We are slathering on the praise and cheers and hugs for all her success (as you can tell in the video below). In the beginning, every time Morgan made a "deposit" she got to call and tell someone - like Daddy or Grandma Dinda. She liked leaving detailed messages to like, "Hi, I went pee pee... in the potty. Bye." Once, we called Sam who was in the dining hall at the university and he had to discretely tell Morgan he was proud of her without the students around him catching on. Another time, we called Grandma Dinda and Aunt Amy and cousin Amanda happened to be at her house. Morgan received a round of applause and cheers from them over the phone - it was like a celebrity endorsement.

So while we are definitely not at the final destination on this journey, we have crossed some bumpy terrain and are well on the way to Diaper-Free-Big-Girl Land. And while I am not very proud of how much I have talked about the potty in the last few weeks to anyone who would listen, I am very proud of Morgan...and yes, a little proud of myself too.

[PS: I dedicate this blog post to my mom, who made sure I mastered this potty thing long ago. Thanks, Mom!]