That Ol' P.T. Business

I have purposely not updated you on potty training. Since I last posted about trying to train Wren, it was a complete disaster. Tantrums, screaming, crying. She pushed back so hard that we gave up again at that time. Then I didn't want to talk about it because I felt like a failure and was frustrated. 

As I began thinking about planning her 3rd birthday, I realized that day was already coming soon- next month!! And I wanted to try her again with the P.T. to see if she would be a little more, ahem, receptive.
So, I picked a cold week (this one) and resolved to stay home the whole week. No play groups. No play dates. No errand running. No walks...oh wait that's because I'm a sissy with the recent cold weather, not because of training.
I pulled out her box of big-girl undies, and tried a new approach.
I brought the little potty to the kitchen- a more friendly space than the bathroom perhaps.
I had chocolate goldfish crackers handy as small rewards just for sitting on the potty alone. Bonus if she went.
But besides those things, I had a secret weapon...the thing she loves the most in the whole wide world...
The Soother.

I know. I know!! Sounds ridiculous. She's almost 3. A soother?? 

But it's totally working. She lives for the Soother. She always try to steal it from Ellie's crib or anywhere it is put down when Ellie isn't using it. We find her in corners, head down, madly sucking on that Soother and freaking out when we take it away. 

The rule is she only gets it while on the potty. It's more motivating than treats or stickers combined.

I'm on Day 3 of P.T., and she doesn't tantrum the same way she did that last go around. She WANTS to wear her undies..!!! She actually gets mad when we have to put on a diaper at bed time. She wants to sit on the "big" potty in the bathroom with her little seat.

There are still lots of accidents, but she is slowly getting it. 

I'm tired. I'm sick of only being at home and feeling worn out by constantly sticking her on that toilet every 20 minutes or so and asking her every 5 min if she has to go. But it's happening. It's really happening this time. We have this quiet little joy growing in us, because this has been a long time coming. (Remind you of sleep training? Ha!..ha..sigh.)

Anyway, it seems the stars have aligned and Wren is ready and we're going for it. Next time you see her, give that kid a high five!