UPDATE: He STILL Wears Diapers Part Deux

Diapers out, big boy undies in! Potty training bootcamp started a month ago when I originally posted about how my three and half-year-old son refused to sit on the toilet. When he accounced in Starbucks that he was pooping while bracing himself against my chair I knew something had to change. I picked a weekend where we had no big plans.

My supply list included:

• Treats!- suckers, chocolate, matchbox cars, random toys from the dollar section at Target
• Potty seat for each toilet he would use (we have a 2-story house)
• Flushable wipes
• Sanitizing wipes
• Stack of comfy pull-on pants (avoid buttons & zippers until they can master it by themselves)
• Boat load of big boy undies
• Old towels for clean-up

Potty Training Bootcamp Begins!

When my son woke on Saturday we took off his diaper, put on his brand-spankin’ new undies and explained to him that he would no longer wear diapers. This wasn’t the first time he had heard this- we had been discussing it ALL WEEK in preparation.

After breakfast he got his first experience of peeing on himself. Three more times during the same day, he peed on himself. THEN, the fifth time he sat on the toilet, just a little bit of pee came out but boy was this a breakthrough! The first day he also did #2 on the potty.

No way, I can’t be this lucky right? Sunday came without a single accident, then Monday, Tuesday and each day after. I even caught him (on day #2) using the bathroom on his own without me prompting him! We’ve been out in public and are mastering using the public bathrooms. I use a collapsible potty seat that I keep in a bag in my purse. It also doubles as a travel potty! Best purchase ever!

Two weeks into training I realized I was going to embark on an eight hour drive to visit family with just me, my newly potty-trained son and my 16-month-old daughter. I panicked a little wondering if I should put him back in a diaper. Then after much debate I decided there was no turning back! I lined his carseat with a plastic bag then put a small towel on top hoping that if he did have an accident it would prevent the carseat from getting wet. I stopped every two and a half hours and had him use the bathroom. He made it! Not a single accident.

I’ve noticed with my son that I can’t ask him if he needs to go because he always says “Nope!” So instead I schedule times like just before lunch or if he asks to watch one of his favorite shows I will say, “Yes, you can watch it. Right after you go potty!” Works like a charm. Eventually, he has started to let me know when he has to go but it’s still not consistent. Remember, that you know better than your toddler does so set the timer on your phone or microwave to help prevent accidents.

Are my results from potty training bootcamp atypical? I honestly can’t say but I knew my son was ready. He embraced his new independence! He was so proud when he went to the bathroom, flushed the toilet and washed his hands. He OWNED that potty!

I never once made him feel ashamed or bad if he had an accident. I was always positive and said things like, “Listen to your body next time buddy. You are doing a great job!” There were lots of high-fives and hugs, we even called the grandparents via video chat to announce each time he went to the potty those first few days. He couldn’t wait to tell them!

What About Nighttime?

My son wears cloth pull-ups at night. They are easy to pull down and they don’t give him a bad rash like the disposable ones did. I plan on using these for several months until I feel he can stay dry most nights. I know boys are supposed to have a tendency to wet the bed at a much older age than girls but I’m not concerned at this point. We’ve mastered the daytime and my almost empty diaper bag is proof! I hope all of you future potty trainers have as much success as we have! To you I say, “Tinkle. Tinkle. Toot!”