5 Things I Never Want To Hear When Potty Training
Potty Training Blues
Potty training any child is never fun. It can aggravate a parent as much as a child. When parents look at the humorous things that children do during potty training they can appreciate the success of completion even more.
If you have been following my blog, you know about the difficulties in potty training my son (see Zero Tolerance – Potty Training Nightmares). I can finally say that we have had “potty training” success.
Truthfully, we did not have any success. Xander got out of bed one day and just started using the bathroom, like a big boy. When I saw that he was making an effort, I told him that he could have a bike at the end of 30 days if he could go without any accidents (amazingly we made it 30 consecutive days)!
Pride Never Hurts
Potty training success earned him a bike!
I love the feeling of “pride” I feel when my son learns something new. It makes me feel as if my son will someday become a good man. Occasionally, I just want to bury my head in the sand and pride is a distant memory. The last 30 days were not without a few notable incidents (and I might have buried my head a few times).
1. Beauty
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have always wondered what a 4 year-old might think was beautiful. I should know better than to wonder about these things, sometimes I find out. Xander came running into the kitchen after going to the potty the other day. I take pride that Xander choose me to announce, “Dada! My poop is so beautiful!” (I am not sure how one compares poop or that I want to know!)
2. A Dream Come True
My son is “overly” independent for a 4 year-old. We have worked hard to make sure that he know’s he is capable of doing things without us. Unfortunately, we are still working on this lesson. Xander came out of the bathroom with his pants pulled around his ankles. He handed me some toilet paper and said, “Dada, wipe my butt for me! You do a better job!” (Every man dreams of hearing this….sigh)
3. Urge Happens
We were in the middle of WalMart, and my son decided he had to go the bathroom. I looked at him and stated, “No problem. We will go right now.” As we are walking towards the restroom Xander’s need to use the restroom intensified. He began stating loudly, “My penis has to go now!!!! My penis really has to go!!” (I am not sure but, I might have been sprinting towards the restroom the last few aisles.)
4. Apples and Oranges
My son and his cousin, Olivia both were potty training at the same time. They have both grown up together and are super competitive. Xander yelled at the top of his lungs, “I gotta go now!” Olivia did not want Xander to win this contest and yelled, “I have to go now!“
They both took off to the bathroom knocking each other down as they entered the door. Olivia was able to get up first and rushed to the potty. Xander started crying and yelling, “She made me poop my pants!” (she did not even have to go the bathroom).
5. No Pants – No Service
Potty training is never fun, but it is never dull either. Xander has recently decided that his experience with potty training has helped him to grow up. We were at his cousin’s house when he came out of the bathroom with no pants, underwear or shirt. I told him that he needed to put his clothes back on, and it was not acceptable to walk around in the nude. Xander looked at me and said, “Why dada, you do after a shower and I as grown as you!” (I lost my game face at that point…sigh)
Potty Training
is Part of
Fatherhood
Learning to ride a bike is part of growing up.
Potty training and the potential embarrassments to an individual are only a brief moment in time. I think I can live with a little embarrassment because the alternative is not being a dad and after all, being a dad is a reward in itself.
Do you have any good memories of potty training? Was there anything that made you laugh so hard you had to leave the room? Tell me your funniest story from potty training! Tell me more in the comments!
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Tags: going to the potty, parents, potty training, tolerance
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I can pretty much relate to all of these. And, of course, having a kid on the Autism spectrum has given us an extended chance to “enjoy: these moments. Your Xander sounds like quite the man. Congrats.
Eden,
Potty training is one of those experience that I am glad is coming to an end. It was only the humorous moments that got me through it (and writing about them consistently)
Aaron Brinker aka Dad Blunders
Ah… Then I don’t suppose you’ve heard about the return to it that often happens during growth spurts and other childhood experiences… usually most anytime kids start noticing the stress involved in growing up. Just keep your humor and you’ll get through it fine, but yes, accidents WILL happen.
Hey Aaron! Funny post! Can relate to every number, but I have to say about # 2 that at least your kiddo comes to you! While sitting on the pot, mine bellows, “I’M READY!!!”
Justin,
You made me laugh. I have to agree that at least he did come to me (and brought me toilet paper). Nothing like my son telling me i am good butt wiper to reaffirm my manhood…..lol
Aaron Brinker aka Dad Blunders
It was a bit hit and miss with my son when he went through potty training. It seemed to go on for absolutely ages but we got there eventually.
We knew we were on the right track when we bought a potty that sounded a fanfare every time he went to the toilet as it made him want to use it every time.
It’s almost time for my daughter to go through potty training now. Whenever we nip to the toilet now she follows us in and says ‘I go for wee wee too!’.
Tim,
We bought a potty that made racetrack sounds from the movie Cars. it didn’t go over so well and became something to sit on and play we were driving a car….sigh
Xander actually got out of bed one day and just went to the potty on his own. All the months and pleading i did amounted to nothing. I think he could have done it long before he did but he was just stubborn….
I hope you plan at least one potty training story. I would love to read about a father and daughter. I can only compare through have a son.
Aaron Brinker aka Dad Blunders