Potty Time

Before I get started let me just state that potty training has been, hands down, my least favorite part of parenting so far.  Maybe even the least fun thing I've ever done ;) Monday, we started the 3 day method for potty training.  Basically, it's 3 days of focused training at home.  I felt that Mady was ready to start, especially since she had done it a couple of times before, and the fact that she would tell me the minute she was dirty that she needed a change.  

Monday, Day 1, was the worst day.  She had accident upon accident, and did not once go in the potty on her own.  Every accident I would rush her to the potty and if we got even a drop in there, I would reward her with an M&M and a sticker.  By the end of the day, 13 dirty undies later, I was ready to throw in the towel.  I thought maybe she just wasn't ready and I wanted to just bring out the diapers again.  Needless to say, I went to bed pretty exhausted and frustrated.

Tuesday, Day 2, was a huge improvement.  We only had 2 accidents, and the rest of the time she was able to tell me she needed to potty, and we made it to the potty on time!  There was a lot of celebration and dancing on Tuesday!  It was like a light switched on, and all of a sudden, it just clicked.  She still was very hesitant and a bit afraid of letting it out on the potty, but she was doing it.

Today, Day 3, we had no accidents at all besides going #2 in the undies.  I still can't get her to do #2 in the potty, but I've heard that this one can take a bit longer to get for some kiddos.  Hoping it happens sooner rather than later.  But what a huge accomplishment!  I am so happy at how far she came in just a couple of days.  She has now mastered understanding when her body is telling her it's time to go potty, and will let me know.  She also went several hours between having to go potty, which is much better than the every hour she was going on Monday and Tuesday.  I constantly praise her for keeping her undies dry which I think has helped.  She is still a bit afraid when it comes to letting it out on the potty but I think the more she does it, the better she gets.  I know it's not the end of the road and we will still have accidents as we continue but I'm so happy we did this.  She was definitely ready, it just took throwing away those diapers and showing her that she could.  

Rewards

Our progress chart!

Her big prize after 3 days and much success!

She loved it!

We are going with using pull-ups at night for now.  The 3 day method does call for you to night train them as well, but I just don't see how that will work for Mady.  She still wakes up every morning wet, and without me waking her every night to potty, I don't see her staying dry.  It makes it hard when she's still in a crib and isn't old enough to go potty on her own if she woke up and needed to.  It hasn't confused her so far, in regards to the day training, so I'm not too worried.

Tomorrow we will be making our first outing to meet some friends for lunch.   I will say that I'm a bit nervous about how she will do once we're out, but we have to do it at some point, right?!