Potty Training

We have spent the last couple of weekends working on trying to potty train DJ via the no-diaper method. Most people's reaction to this method is, "Wow, that could get messy!" And while this is true, it's not like we don't already have not-so-house-trained-dogs that have marked the house when not watched like hawks....so what's a little human marking in the grand scheme of things?

Back in May, I got DJ some Cars underwear, and we tried on a pair one night after I thought DJ had successfully urinated in the toilet. To be fair, he had gone, but he just didn't go all the way, apparently. Ten minutes later, there was a nice puddle on the living room rug, and we had a very upset toddler on our hands. Steve cleaned up DJ, and I cleaned up the rug.

We gave potty training a rest for awhile, but still would talk about it with DJ and would still ask him if he needed to go. 99% of the time, DJ would say no, and every once in a blue moon, he'd say yes. His saying yes, however, was no guarantee of actual success.

Two weekends ago, however, I decided to try no diaper at all until he went on the potty, and then he'd get to wear underwear as a reward (along with getting to use toilet tissue, flushing the toilet, and getting star stickers). Every once in awhile, we would ask DJ if he needed to go on the potty (as a way to remind him to think about it), and he'd vehemently say "NO!" Then if he thought he needed to go, he'd then ask us to sit on the potty. But if he didn't have a bodily function immediately, he'd want off the toilet immediately. This resulted in going to sit on the potty 5-6 times in a 10 - 15 minute period before he'd actually accomplish going on the potty. But eventually he'd get it! Amazingly, we had only one very small accident, and a near bowel movement accident that Steve prevented. For having a bowel movement on the potty, he got a big Cars wall sticker! He was very excited about that!

What this exercise proved was that DJ could very much control his bodily functions, but either was trying to use potty training as a power play or he was just too busy to think about it.

This past weekend, we tried this technique again. DJ had no accidents during his waking hours, but the naptime and overnight diapers were full. Frankly, just that is a win that he did it two weekends in a row.

Because of our success and because his daycare girlfriend, Grace, is recently fully trained, Eleanor suggested we tell DJ that he's going to her house on Monday (today) with underwear on, and that he is to go potty on her potty all day, both #1 and #2. I also sent a number of changes of clothes in case of accidents, and apparently, DJ did great. Unfortunately, he had a full diaper after nap, but otherwise, he was clean all day! Plus, while he was in the bathtub tonight, he stopped playing and told me he needed to go, and he did!

We have lots more to do, but we're on our way! Cross your fingers for no setbacks!