First, we're starting with the potty. And you know me, I've been reading up on potty training strategies. You know how I LOOOOVE to label everything. My sister already seems to have a good technique down, and then when I found one similar I was convinced. So - hopefully - starting on Wednesday we will be using Julie Fellom's Diaper Free Toddlers program and have Isabelle potty trained in 3 days or less. (Sounds too good to be true, right?) First, being "potty trained" doesn't mean Isabelle will be accident free. I'm sure she'll have some accidents. Probably lots. It's more of a "success" with potty training. I'm sure for months I will be helping her with the process, and that's normal and okay.
Fellom recommends using this program between 15-28 months, so hopefully we are right where we should be. Isabelle is definitely showing signs that she is ready; she wants to sit on the potty, likes to flush the toilet, pretend to wipe her bottom, doesn't like to be wear diapers and will potty in her diaper in private.
So here's how it works: This is a bare-bottomed method, so for 3 months after we start, Isabelle will be naked below the waist when she is home (Santa brought her some leg warmers to help keep her cozy) and will only wear loose fitting pants when she is out and about. According to Fellom, diapers and training pants undo the progress you make in potty training. When they pee, they need to feel it, and sometimes just feeling the cloth against their bottom (even if it's just panties) makes them more likely to have accidents. Plus, one reason the method is supposed to work so well is because kids this age love to be naked. They don't give a hoot about potty training. Their goal is to be naked and diaper-free, so getting rid of the diapers is incentive to potty train.
For the first 3 days, our schedule will be focused on potty training. During day 1, we will be home with Isabelle all day (which, as a busy-body, this is like torture to me, by the way). Usually the first few times you have to catch them peeing (or if your luck is bad, pooping) and you exclaim, "You're peeing!!! You're peeing!!! Let's go potty!!" and whisk them away to the toilet. We will have a special celebratory "potty dance" to celebrate Isabelle's success. Anytime she has a "hit" in the potty (even if it's just a drop), we'll do our potty dance, give high-fives, make life all happy-happy. :) Usually (SUPPOSEDLY) after 10-12 hits, kids usually get it and start to use the potty independently.
Accidents are okay, but we're not supposed to SAY, "It's okay." (Cuz. . . well it's not.) Instead, we just say in a mildly disappointed voice, "Poop/pee goes in the potty" and help her clean it up. But of course, we will not yell at her or shame her for having accidents: they WILL happen.
Before nap and bed, we will tell Isabelle to go potty (not supposed to ask b/c there is a good change they'll say no) and then diaper her for sleep.
Day 2 is pretty much the same, but we can leave the house for 1 hour AFTER she has just peed on the potty (to link using the potty with leaving the house). As I mentioned, when she is out, she will only wear loose-fitting clothing - no diapers, training pants, or underwear.
Day 3 we get 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. Each time, using the potty just before leaving the house.
After the 3 days is up, we are supposed to expect Isabelle to usually take herself to the potty when she needs to go but may still need some help. She will remain naked below the waist for the next 3 months and only wear loose fitted clothing while out. After 3 months, underpants are "allowed" (TeeHeeHee).
So, that's it! Wish us luck!!
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