Friday 19 August 2011

Potties and willies

We are at that stage where I would say we are on the 'cusp' of potty training. Beastie will be two and a half next month and so far everywhere I have read it states that this is around the age you can expect a boy to be ready.  Now it's a always an interesting one, I hate to go by what people call the norm and I know that all children develop in their own ways.

Where Beastie was super quick at rolling over, sitting up and being confident on his feet, he is still getting there with his speech and the latest being the potty issue. Not that I have made it an issue (by the way) as I know that is a massive no no, what I have noticed is how people are starting to comment. I have from time to time throughout Beastie's life become sensitive over people's comments on various milestones and I actually avoid parents now that constantly compare. Why can't they just be happy with their child's progress rather than trying to compete? no one likes bragging and those sorts of people never take it well when their child may be the one lagging behind.

So a long while back I began to prepare for the impending training and bought a potty and rather hastily I might add, some really cute pants. The potty was placed in the bathroom and was generally greeted with much disgust, we had a few occasions where it was sat on but more often than not it was kicked away.

It soon became apparent that the toilet was in fact what Beastie referred to as the potty and soon enough I bought a children's training seat and a book called Potty Training for Boys. I started to read this book yesterday and instantly thought it doable with the fact you don't need to set aside a few days to stay indoors. The book claims to offer step by step guidance through the next few weeks, geared more towards working Mums who can't take a few days off to dedicate themselves fully to the training. It reads well and I will stick with it for now although there are some statements that have annoyed me already...yes we're calling it a willy.

I have been careful not to rush Beastie and bow to pressure from other people, I do firmly believe that forcing the issue will make matters more difficult and that choosing the right time is crucial. This is the part that worries me. Last week the nursery manager casually came up to me to ask 'we were wondering what was happening with potty training?'. To which I flatly told her he was not ready yet. I was slightly irked that she had asked in the way she had, as they so often do with matters, as well as feeling that when the training does start that I would have the sense to mention it them. She also didn't confirm any particular cues that had brought her to this conclusion.

I have written before about the nursery manager and her ways of dealing with situations, she tries to be tactful but always manages to come across the opposite. Yesterday I was particularly amused when a parent walked into the nursery after me and said to her 'it always stinks of poo when you walk in!'. It doesn't in my opinion but I really wished it was me that had said it, she simply didn't know what to say and I could see it ruffled her feathers.

The potty has been relegated to the airing cupboard, it gathers less dust there. As for the toilet seat, I give it the thumbs up. Beastie has accomplished putting it on the loo, pulling up his little step and hopping on, dangling his legs for a while before putting them all back where they started from. I realise I need a lot of patience here and will need to wait for a present in the toilet, we just never seem to get one. Just confirmation it's squished up his backside and obvious squatting accompanied with denial. To all of you that have finished your training or are in the process, we are about to jump on board...wish us luck.




17 comments:

  1. Potty training really scares me. I have never thought about it before but it must be harder for boys than girls I guess? Because they have to learn to aim! And also at least with girls you can explain that they sit on the toilet for all functions.
    Even at 8 months people compare Mads, I find it ridiculous. I have blogged before about how she is a good sleeper but I keep quiet when people talk about it as I don't want to appear like I am bragging- there is nothing worse. Good luck with the potty training and hope it all goes well for Beastie. x

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  2. you can compare with me if you like....Jack is nowhere near the potty/toilet training yet & I'm sure Beastie will be long out of nappies before Jack is! Beastie does sound like Jack though, he hates the potty and will very rarely sit on it, usually screaming instead.....ah well they'll do it when they're ready - my Health Visitor actually told me to wait until he's ready so if anyone asks that's what I tell them. Let me know how you get on with the book & if there's any good tips please share
    Good luck with it whenever & however you decide to do it.
    x

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  3. Mummyandthebeastie20 August 2011 at 12:27

    Well it's encouraging to know that Jack is around about the same stage. Beastie started pointing at his nappy today saying 'poo poo' and there was some sense of urgency. The toilet was occupied by the hubby! so I grabbed the potty out of the cupboard and after a bit of faffing he sat on it, then he was looking at Apps on my phone and ended up sat on it (happily) for about 20 minutes! I was so hopeful he would produce something...only for it to be a false alarm, I was ready to get very excited! Oh well, it's the start of the process and he actually managed to sit on it! just a few bottom burps. Good advice from your health visitor too! I will keep you posted...xx

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  4. Mummyandthebeastie20 August 2011 at 12:30

    There are so many scary milestones but I guess you get through them. I thought weaning was really daunting!

    Boys apparently are slower to train and little girls tend to catch on much quicker (being they have the advantage of being a bit more advanced, usually). As far as sitting on the toilet, he will be seeing sitting down to start with and we will go from there! I think with little boys it's easier when out and about and they need a wee, they don't have to squat. Us girls have it tough! xx

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  5. that is a great step forward for Beastie. We're going to get a toilet seat this weekend hopefully......apparently it has to be a Thomas one though! x

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  6. Mummyandthebeastie20 August 2011 at 12:33

    Ha ha I love that he puts his request in! he's very switched on x

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  7. and if I spend £16.99 on a Thomas seat & he still doesn't sit on it I will not be happy!!!

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  8. Mummyandthebeastie20 August 2011 at 12:40

    Oh goodness that's steep! Ours was £3.99!

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  9. but is it Thomas? I'm not giving him an excuse not to sit on it!

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  10. Mummyandthebeastie20 August 2011 at 12:54

    No sadly not, it has an elephant on it! Can you not customise one yourself?!

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  11. we got him to decorate his potty with Mickey mouse stickers....most came off & he still doesn't want to sit on it! Except the other night when we offered sweets if he did a wee & he was on it like a shot....he won't do it again though as he now knows he won't get sweets for an empty potty!

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  12. Mummyandthebeastie20 August 2011 at 13:04

    Look at the size of the comment box! Maybe try it 30 mins after a drink and he should wee! x

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  13. haha, lets see how long we can make it!! hmm, I'm not convinced...we shall keep trying.....and trying.....and maybe one day we shall look back on potty training as just a distant memory!!

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  14. Would like to be a yummy mummy22 August 2011 at 11:53

    Good luck with it all sweetie. I really think the parents have to be as ready as the child. Your nursery manager really sounds horrible! The only advice I can offer is to be consistent. Stick with it and he will be trained in nö time :-) x x

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  15. workinglondonmummy22 August 2011 at 22:02

    good luck honey! It must be harder with boys. I am not looking forward to this step but I can't wait till it is done. At least he is sitting on the toilet now.
    fingers crossed for success soon. and fingers up to the nursery manager ;) x

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  16. notyetayummymummy26 August 2011 at 10:04

    Well done you for a great post, Like you we're calling it a willy too, that's what it is! I worried about Wills speech too but they all get there in the end, I think they concentrate on doing different things good luck and keep us up-dated! x

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  17. Good luck! You're so right about the whole comparing thing. I think people often don't mean it, but if you're sensitive to something then it can be really irritating. My 14 month old isn't walking yet and it still annoys me whenever anyone says "Isn't she walking yet?" even though I know it's not meant that way! I'm sure Beastie will get the hang of it when he's ready. x

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