Betsy, at 2 and a half, has theoretically been in the window where we could start potty training for a little while. To that end, we had acquired a potty and some books that feature the obligatory other child using the potty with glee. Betsy loves these books and reads them over and over. She puts dolls on the potty. She makes potties out of blocks for her smaller stuffed animals. She carries the potty around. She puts it on her head. But as for sitting on it and DOING anything, for months, there's been nothing doing.
Her father and I are not urgent about potty training. I would prefer not to have two children in diapers at a time, but if it happens, it's nothing to cry about. I refuse to be that asshole parent of whom I've seen more than one in the park trying to make their kid feel guilty about an accident as they drag them back to the car. Sheesh. Pack a second set of clothes and LIGHTEN UP.
Anyway, last night, there was no sound of trumpets, no announcement of intent, nothing at all to suggest that She Who is In Charge now commands her own bladder. But the potty got used. Just a little. Of course, it may not happen again for another week, but if positive feedback can encourage behavior, God knows I tried. I cheered. I made her dollies cheer. We danced around. And then we got on with putting on pajamas and reading stories and doing tuck in.
This is the thing about having a kid. You do the most absurd stuff. You do it with glee. And then you wonder what other absurd things you haven't done that you probably would have loved doing if you hadn't had adult dignity standing in your way. Stupid adult dignity.
Posted by karen at March 4, 2005 08:24 PM