My Thoughts On Potty Training

I think it is now safe to announce that Jonathan is potty trained. ( I had to wait to post this one because you know how Murphy can be.)  Here are my thoughts on the subject:

1. Don't try potty training when your six, seven, eight or nine months pregnant.  It just takes too much energy.
2. Don't let your kid stay in pull-ups.  Jonathan was first potty trained in July.  He did a great job, even when we traveled to the States.  When we came back he decided he would only do a twosie in the potty and not a onesie.  Baffled and disappointed, I let him stay in pull-ups. I was grateful that he was at least still pooping in the potty.
3. Be stronger...than your child that is!  YOU are the adult.  I decided on New Year's Day that I had had enough, and that Jonathan was going to be trained.  I put him in underwear and didn't give into pull-ups no matter the situation.  Then I decided that he MUST use the potty first thing in the morning and other times I deemed necessary.  He fought me tooth and nail while yelling that he didn't have to go potty.   Of course he needed to--it just wasn't his idea.  After a few days he started cooperating more and even going without me reminding him. 
4. If your kid has an accident after being potty trained don't worry, they're just little kids after all.  But do reinforce where to go potty and that it is expected of your child to go in the right place.  

I think Jonathan could have stayed potty trained from the summer if I just had followed #2 and #3.  Of course, that's why they say "hindsight is 20/20."  They only thing he doesn't do on his own is wipe--which leads me to my next post. Stay tuned!