A few weeks ago I armed myself with a book on toilet training, “big boy” underwear, and two potties.  I put one potty in my son’s play area, and the other one in his bedroom.  He’s been playing with them for a while.  I cleared our schedules for the long Thanksgiving weekend and decided I was taking the potty training plunge!  I’ve got three days to get a great start on this potty training business before I have to head back to work and hand the reins off to my nanny.

Day 1

7:30 a.m. – Camden wakes up and has a soaked diaper.  I think to myself, “oh well,” and give Camden my “big boys use the potty” speech, put him in underwear, and begin preparing breakfast.

9:30 a.m. – Accident #1.

9:40 a.m. – Accident  #2.  It’s actually funny because his underwear are completely dry, but there is a large puddle.  Camden keeps saying “uh oh,” and “a mess” while pointing to the puddle.  He sits on the potty, I remind him to use the potty the next time.  He does not want to wear underwear anymore, so I have a half naked child running around….I’m a little anxious about this.   I try to keep him away from my couches.

11:30 – I’m getting really nervous…I gave him tea over an hour ago and he chugged it.  I haven’t seen any accidents.  I remind him to sit on the potty if he needs to.

11:40 – As I’m getting out the Christmas decorations, Camden hollers “PEE-PEE!!!!”  I shout, “go to your potty!”  I get him there….SUCCESS!!

11:41 – I do an embarrassing amount of woo-hooing and dancing!

11:42 – Camden yells “PEE-PEE!!!!”  Success again!

11:43 – Success again!

11:44 – Camden’s having so much fun he’s trying a fourth time.  He’s straining trying to pee, and something else exciting lands in the potty!  Success!

12:30 – I’m exhausted, and it’s finally naptime!

2:00 – I hear Camden jabbering in the monitor.  It’s way too early for his nap to be over, but I don’t want him having an accident in his bed.  I get him up, remind him to use the potty, and we play with some toys.

3:30 – “PEE-PEE!!!” Success!

3:33 – “PEE-PEE!!!” Success!

3:35 – Some straining, and a repeat of the 11:44 a.m. incident.  Success!

3:40 – I’m getting pretty confident, especially since I’m not telling him when to go.  I call the grandparents and brag a little bit.

4:30 – Camden says “PEE-PEE!!” and then changes his mind.  He continues to play with his tractors.

4:31 - MAJOR accident on the carpet….we’ll have to shampoo that later.  Whoopsies!  Confidence came too early.

5:30 – 6:30 – I give several reminders about the potty.

6:30 – Camden pees on the bookshelf, but stops himself and gives me a weird look.  I move him to the potty where he finishes.  Success!  Sort-of.

7:30 – Success! 

8:00 - It's time to put pajamas on, and Camden claims "PEE-PEE!!!"  He sits, and sits, and sits....anytime I try to put pajamas on, he insists he has to pee.  I think I'm being manipulated....

So, I’m tired, but my 19 month old son has begun to learn a very important skill.  We’re having more successes than failures. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and a future without diaper bills!