If you follow me on any social media channels, you already know this (because I have been oversharing everywhere), but just in case you missed it…
Harlow is potty training.
Like, officially.
It’s important to note that up until last week, she expressed no interest in the potty whatsoever. In fact, I was beginning to think Harlow was diametrically opposed, and would continue shrieking and storming out of the room whenever the subject was brought up for the next 2-18 years.
I didn’t push though because Mazzy did the same thing and as I later found out, when Mazzy was ready, she was ready. No forcing or fuss.
I firmly believe you can’t and shouldn’t force a kid to potty train, but this is harder to do in practice as the months tick by and kids much younger seem to be using the potty no problem.
I would say things like, “Don’t you want to be a big girl, Harlow?”
And she would say, “No! I want to stay a baby!” so there was really no room for argument.
FYI, if you saw the potty dance she did a few weeks ago on Instagram, that came about because I saw Harlow make her poop face (wide eyes, like she has something to hide) and literally picked her up, ran to the bathroom and plopped her on the toilet. So yes, she did poop in the potty and she was very excited about it, but she was hardly “trained.” When I tried to make the same move again the next night, she screamed, ran into the corner and wouldn’t let me near her.
Then suddenly last weekend on President’s Day, Harlow changed her tune.
“Hey, Harlow. What do you say we take off your diaper and try potty training today?”
“Okay!!!”
Really? Okay, then. Potty training for the day it was. (FYI, only parents would waste a perfectly good holiday by spending it locked inside a bathroom with a toddler.)
Harlow spent pretty much the entire day sitting on the potty, which was a giant step in the right direction (since in the past, she never even entertained sitting on the thing)— but she did not go once.
Later that afternoon, in the five seconds she left the bathroom to eat at the kitchen table, she peed all over the kitchen chair. She had a teeny tiny poop on the potty during the day but didn’t really “let it go” until her diaper was on later that night.
I figured Harlow wasn’t really ready and didn’t push it for the next couple of days.
Then, last Wednesday, I was at Mazzy’s desk asking her questions about her drawing, when Harlow saw the perfect opportunity to divert my attention back to her.
“I have to go to the potty!!!”
She was wearing a Snow White dress and lifted it clear up over her head, ran to her princess potty and did the deed.
She peed! True to her character, she got absolutely no pee on the dress whatsoever. Harlow is a total neat freak, if I have not mentioned that previously.
After Harlow was done, she called everyone in the room for her celebratory flush. We had a round of high fives and she did her now signature potty dance “Ooh La La” for the second time.
It was awesome. (Even if Mazzy and Harlow couldn’t land their high fives to save their lives. You might have seen their pathetic display on Snapchat: ilanawiles).
It’s only been a few days since that first pee and so far, Harlow is still in diapers when we leave the house but at home, she’s running around in her undies and using the potty as needed. It’s worth noting that we haven’t made a sticker chart, given her a single M&M or promised a big prize at the end. I’m not trying to brag; I’m just saying if you wait it out and do it at your kid’s own pace, maybe all the incentives aren’t as necessary. Harlow just had to decide it was something she wanted to do, instead of me telling her it was something she wanted to do.
Tonight, Harlow had her first real poop in the potty. It was magnificent.
MIKE: Do you need to take a picture of this to post on social media or something before I flush it?
ME: No. Definitely not.
You are welcome.
Yay Harlow!! This is very encouraging since my 2.5 year old says that she will potty train “later”. 🙂
Do you need a picture? OMG!! Mike!!! Thank GOSH I keep a spare shirt in my car because I am now wearing my coffee. O-o
Glad you are getting some progress! With my older two, we waited until they were ready and they were both potty trained in one weekend (when they were each 3). But with the youngest, her preschool is requiring it, so we’ll have to get her potty trained this summer before she starts in the fall (she’ll be very close to 3 when she starts preschool). She does show a lot of interest in potty training so I’m hoping it’ll go well for us. We have not been diaper-free since my first was born 7.5 years ago, so I’m very much looking forward to no more diapers!
Yeah! It is always celebratory time with that happens! Sadly my oldest was ready at 18/19 months but I was too freaking sick with the second pregnancy to make that happen. He changed his mind once I was feeling better (of course) so daddy potty trained him over Christmas with cookies when he was 2 and some change :D. I’m fairly certain #2 will potty train early since he wants to EVERYTHING early – but he might just screw with me haha!
I totally agree with taking their lead! My daughter was showing signs of being ready early and we potty trained her at 20 months but I wouldn’t have even attempted it if it weren’t for her leading the way. I did love the savings ($$ and environmental) that the early potty training provided – can’t lie! She’s 2 1/2 now and night-training herself (again, not my idea). It’s amazing what they do when the timing is right for them. Go Harlow go!
I am doing a little of everything. He is showing plenty of interest in the potty and goes just fine at daycare but doesnt always like going at home and grandma’s so we are just letting it happen as it does but I cant wait until the accidents end, So much laundry.
We totally allowed our little man decide when he was ready. Although we had the potty seat and he would want to sit on it every blue moon, it was not until he was 3.5yrs old when he showed true interest. Within a few days he was 100% potty trained with no accidents! He did insist on wearing a diaper (not a pull-up) to bed for a few months after being diaper-free during the day and every single morning the diaper was dry. Then he finally made the call to have absolutely no diapers – ever! It was a simple process, no stressing, no charts, no toys as an incentive! Sure some people thought he was too old for diapers, but it didn’t bother me because it didn’t bother him!!
How old is Harlow exactly? My just-turned-2-and-3 year olds are so not interested. The little is more interested than the bigger. When I ask the bigger, “do you want to go on the pot?” (daily… hourly…) he replies very politely, “no tanks”. Argh. Size 6 diapers suck.
My 2 1/2 year old is potty training right now. We got real serious about it during New Years Eve weekend. Ever since she’s been getting better and better. Her preschool actually helps them potty train so that’s been super helpful. She pees like a champ but pooping was an issue. We tried all the tricks and bribes. We did a sticker chart, M&Ms, a princess crown, and toys. It’s all worked for us. Last night we had a break through, my daughter actually went to the potty and pooped. And she did it twice! I did buy her a toy as a reward but it’s so worth it when you see the proud look on their face! And when she asks me, mommy are you happy? Yes, I most certainly am and so proud! Bribing her with toys isn’t ideal but probably way cheaper than buying pull ups, especially when they come from the Doller Store. This system will faze out as some point. It has worked for us and that’s all that matters.
Maybe I’m the only gross one out here, but I can’t believe you didn’t take a picture of the poo! (Maybe you secretly did and just didn’t post it…) My daughter (who is now 5 and may kill me for telling you) once made poo in the potty chair and it looked just like a smiley face! I can send you the pic if you like. 😉
My husband took pictures and was texting it to me and the grandparents the first few times our little guy got it in the potty! boy was that a surprise when you opened up that text!!! 🙂 gotta love him though, he was super excited as were we all — we just did not need to see photographic proof to do the happy dance!
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I am not a fan of reading books about babies but this ebook saved me when it came to potty training. it tells you step by step on what to do and what is the most important for me it is short!!! You can read it in no time at all! I found it here: http://www.parental-love.com