Potty Training: The First Day

We have successfully finished the first day of potty training...Praise God! I was not excited about starting it but knew it was the best time. Noah had shown many signs that he was ready to start potty training so I was ready to do it. Not buying diapers for two sounds great to me! I am not so excited about cleaning up accidents but know they are bound to happen.

I brought tons of toys and books outside since I knew we would be spending all day out there. I also lathered Noah and I up with sunscreen. I put a shirt on Noah and his new big boy underwear. I also had a toddler portable potty that sings when you go outside. My sister let me use it. She used it with her daughter. At that point, there was no more stalling...it needed to happen. It started with a kicking, screaming child not wanting to go sit on the potty. I had to carry him over there and force him to stay on it. After a few times, he realized I wasn't going to give in and that I am in charge. Often he tries to be in charge but don't we all try to be in charge instead of God? I know I do...can't get to upset at him for trying in this point in his life. It is natural.

I stopped putting his big boy underwear on him and just let him 'be free' because taking them off at this point was just too much. After Noah realized that he had to go when I asked him, I went rather well. I would make him sit on the pot every so often and he went about 6 times and even pooped on there too! At that point, we realized that he now knows where he is supposed to go but needs to learn the feeling that he needs to go and walk over to the potty. Of course, there were a few accidents at that point but he stopped peeing a couple times and didn't finish until after he went to the potty. I was pretty impressed that he could stop peeing and walk over there to finish...he is definately ready to be trained! One time he stopped and held it a couple minutes until I told him he needed to do that on the potty. I knew he was a smart boy and physially able...it is just a matter of will at this point. A couple times he also told me he didn't need to go but then a few seconds later said he did and walked over and went.

I am so pleased with the first day; we made soooo much progress. I know I wore Noah out training and playing outside because he slept 3 1/2 hours during his nap. I was also pretty tired focusing on that while keeping Luke (9 weeks on Friday) happy and fed. Thankfully, Luke slept 8 hours in a row last night so now I have high hopes for the second day of training!