Unexpected but VERY welcome

Potty training. Last time we tried was back in December. We worked on it for 6 or 7 weeks before we admitted defeat. Then last week, Jay decided that it was time to GO. He asked if he could stop wearing his diaper one day, so I let him run around naked all afternoon.

Then he begged me to let him wear his beloved Lego Star Wars underwear. Jay had been admiring that special underwear every day for weeks, but I put it on a high shelf and insisted that we’d wait till we move before potty training again. Because I wasn’t ready, and I wasn’t sure if Jay was actually ready this time either. (last time he would go if he was on the potty at the right moment, but he didn’t care if his undies got dirty or wet, so we made no progress to independence).

Well, apparently the motivation to keep the Whiteguys white and Darth Vader dry was all the incentive Jay needed. I haven’t given him a single reward beyond a few jumps for joy or a “good job!” He has only had one accident in the week since he started wearing underwear, and that happened in the bathroom.

I want to share what worked for us, because I’m always curious about others’ methods. Every time I read about potty training techniques, they all made it sound like perseverance and rewards were the key. That’s what we tried the first time around, and it didn’t work for Jay (so we stopped after weeks of reward-filled, painful perseverance). After much agonizing (and mostly useless) research, I chose two things to do to get Jay ready for his second go at potty training:

1. Let him dress and undress himself as much as possible so he didn’t have to learn that along with the potty.
2. For the past few months, every time I noticed him starting to poo, I told him that he had to go do it in the bathroom. So he’d stand in the bathroom and poo in his diaper. This was an awesome idea that I got from my sister. Jay quickly got in the habit of running to the bathroom to do his stinks (as we call them). I think it gave him some risk-free practice on noticing what’s going on down there and getting to the bathroom.

Those two things really did help Jay learn how to use the potty better this time, but I think most of it came down to how old he was and how ready he felt. Having cool underwear helped too. I can’t believe how much Jay LOVES his underwear. Every time he puts it on, he takes a minute to lovingly admire the picture on the back before he pulls them on again.

Rose is completely intrigued by Jay’s new potty skills. She stands right next to him when he uses the potty and tries to hand him toilet paper. Then she has to help him flush. And often she tries to take a turn while Jay washes his hands. Luckily I have Jay close both lids every time he goes.

Of course Jay still wears diapers to bed. And I still haven’t had the courage to go a day without asking/reminding him to go, but it’s been surprisingly smooth sailing. He as even gone to the bathroom on his own a few times without being reminded. Gasp.

I won’t say that Jay is OFFICIALLY potty trained yet, but he’s pretty darn close!