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It might seem like it's been a while since I've talked about our potty training efforts and successes. Well, it has been a while, but that doesn't mean the successes aren't flowing. But, they're not exactly a royal flush either.
We've rewarded with Reece's Pieces, Whoppers, M&Ms, Marshmallows, Episodes. We've read countless books on the potty (your favorites for potty time are "Give a Mouse a Cookie," "I can read with my eyes shut," and "Everyone poops." We've sung countless songs ("Drip drip Drop it's an April shower"). And we've created memorable characters, like Little Bunny Poo Poo, The Flower that grows in the window, Thunder and Lightning Pee Pee Guy. And we'll keep on keeping on with all of that too.
But, we're still not ready for prime time.
You're such a busy boy, and a bit stubborn too, and with Julia's birth we've taken a few steps backward (just make sure you don't step in anything). You're a big boy, and we're super proud of you for all you do, and all you doo-doo.
So, there's been a disconnect between our desire for you to go potty and for your desire to go potty.
Things have been moving in the right direction recently though.
I developed a sticker chart system: one sticker for pee, one for poo, one for dry diaper and one for telling us you need to go. When you fill up a chart, you get to go see a BIG movie!
Here's the first chart! And you'll notice, I might have gotten a bit too excited about making the chart. Even before one sticker was put on the chart, it was very full already. But, you got the idea, and you filled it up (and filled the potty too!)
And we went to go see "Frankenweenie!" You, me, Julia and Mommy! The ticket taker was very pleased to see that you've been earning so many stickers! You loved the movie and even yelled "night night Sparky" when Sparky, the dog, died. Good stuff!
You were in awe of the movie. We were in Awe of you. 25 stickers
So, we started charting a second chart (and you can tell, I chose a simpler design this time). And guess what?
You pee-peed, you poo-pooed (this might be slightly embarrassing by the time you read this) and filled another chart to the brim! So don't wipe that smile off your face...you got to go see another movie! This one was "Hotel Transylvania!"
You, me, Mommy and Julia. The (same) ticket taker was not as amused to see us again telling him the storied success of your bowels and urinary tract. But we were impressed, and so glad to reward you for your fine work!
I think you were very proud too.
Your review of the film was pretty substantive:
So, we did another potty chart!
And guess what? Give me poo, give me pee, Aidan gets to see another BIG MOVIE!
Way to go! This time it was just you, Julia and Mommy and you went to see a good one: Monster's Inc!
note: Julia slept through all three films.
You love going to the movie theater, and request it: "Big Movie and Pop! Pop! Popcorn!" So, the reward system is working.
But, we still have a lot of resistance, and you tell us 'no' more often than not when it comes to potty. We don't want to force the issue, and give you anxiety about the porcelain throne, so we've decided to alter the tactic a bit, based on a book we read.
We're going to be getting a LOT MORE STICKERS! We're going to get stickers for all of the good big boy things we do, not just potty stuff. So, hopefully, by taking the spotlight off the potty it will feel like the pressure is off. The last thing you need on the potty is too much pressure...you just gotta relax and let it all go.
So, your Mommy drew and developed a whole new sticker system for you. Her drawings are so adorable and informative.
You really seemed to like them too. You already got 3 stickers before you went to school this morning!
Now we just have so much more to celebrate!
Before you know it, this chart will be loaded to the brim with stickers too and we'll be off to see a BIG MOVIE yet again.
I know it'll be a while until we can close the lid on this whole potty training business and I really don't believe Mimi when she says I was potty trained in one day. But, it doesn't matter how long it takes or how it all comes out, what does matter Aidan is that we love you and we are very proud of you.
Here's to stickers and big movies and songs and books. I hope that our new reward system really continues to click with you, but we know you'll figure it out eventually. And that day may be very sad, though. One day I won't get to spend 20 minutes reading to you and doing silly voices and songs to convince you to stay on the potty long enough to let nature happen.
So, just getting to spend an extra twenty minutes with you, sitting on the edge of a cold porcelain tub is reward enough for me.
But I may steal one of your M&Ms from time to time anyway.
We may be on the scenic route to getting there, but we still think that you're Number 1 when it comes to Number 1 (and 2) (on the potty).
