Happy Eyes

“Happy the eyes that can close.” --from Cry the Beloved Country

Thursday, May 24, 2007

My Kid (Doesn't) Want to Potty All the Time, Potty All the Time, Potty All the Ti-ime....

I need some serious help. Bode will be in preschool two-days a week this fall and has to be potty-trained. Originally it looked like he'd get in through screening due to his sensory issues, but he scored too high (how he "scored" i don't know since I answered all the questions since he wouldn't participate!). Had he gotten in due to sensory, the potty-training could have been part of his action plan and not such a concern right now. But instead he got in through the lottery and will be a "typical peer." The child has ZERO interest or willingness to use the potty. He recoils. I've tried everything the books say (i.e. treats, stickers, bribes, peer pressure; etc.). He does not care one bit what the other kids are doing. He is not motivated by M&Ms anymore (briefly). Stickers don't do it. He doesn't care about wet and/or poopy diapers for the most part. He doesn't buy the "big boy" talk. Doesn't care that I have a drawerful of big boy underpants with Thomas and Lightening on the bum. Etc; etc. So I did another thing the books say and that was to back off. So say the experts, you back off and wait for your child to initiate or get out of their "negative" phase. OK. Is THAT ever going to happen? Whenever potty discussions occur he reverts back to the negative, "I CAN'T DO IT," stressed out child that we helped immensely through OT.


I, personally, am more than ready to get him potty-trained. He turned 3 the end of January. I'd hoped that soon after, something magic would happen with his attitude. I've had enough with the diapers and sore bums. But I'm not ready for this huge power struggle. I'm worried that he'll really take a huge step back. But i feel like it's time to push. But just because I'm ready and have this fall deadline looming doesn't make him ready. Do I push? Or do I lie to the preschool and cross my fingers for no poops in the Pullups for the few hours he's there each week? Doug laughs at me when I ask if he'll ever be potty-trained. But, really, will we be there before kindergarten?

4 comments:

Cami said...

Oh, how I sympathize. Ethan must be trained by fall too, and we have the same situation (except Ethan is 4). Good luck. You can always do what I did with Jeffy and make a "potty" book--pictures of him doing all the steps. It worked really well with Jeff, I'm hoping for some luck with Ethan too.

Jenni said...

Can I just say how much I HATE potty training!! Ben is with Bode - big-boy-potty-talk doesn't go over well at all. He honestly ignores me whenever I bring up the subject and screams in horror if I suggest sitting on the potty. Let me know if you have any break-throughs with Bode. I think I'm going to try to do Cami's potty book... You, Cami, and I should have an online potty support group or something!! :)

Joni said...

Leah was having lots of trouble learning. And then she decided she wanted to and it was just about done in a day. Potty training is such a drag and I've decided it's got to be on their terms. Hopefully Bode will change his mind soon!

Corinne said...

Yeah, I've been working with Sheely for 4 years now. If someone out there has a miracle solution, let me know :)