If timely success is what makes one worthy to give advice, don’t ask me for advice on potty training. But if amount of effort is what counts, ask away. On second thought, even in that case, maybe not. Maybe ask only if you want advice from someone who tried off and on for a long time and (very) eventually made some significant progress.
Actually, don’t bother to ask at all. I’ll just tell you, there’s app for that. Of course there is! There’s an app for everything. Why didn’t I think of that sooner? And who knew it would be so successful? I won’t go into details on my potty training woes, but let’s just say I didn’t feel successful at all.
I remember being somewhere around the age of eight and hating to take a bath. You really expect me to stop what I am doing and go all the way to my room, choose clothes and then go through the long process of a bath? Way too much effort. Besides, I had a bath on Saturday. Someone in my house felt a similar way about using the bathroom. Do I have to, Mom? I hate going to the bathroom.
I remember too, being five (and twenty-five) and keeping my mouth shut when I knew the answer to a question because there’s was always that chance I was wrong. I don’t want to be wrong. I hate looking stupid. And there was someone in my house who felt like that about using the bathroom. I hate having accidents. I think I’ll try this whole potty thing when I’m bigger. Someday. After my birthday.
But the Potty Time app somehow effectively addressed all those hang ups. I can put a virtual sticker on a chart!? No way! Cool video songs by a fun lady in a yellow jacket? Yes! I love this Mom. Can I please put a sticker on now. I’ll go try. I love this too,honey! Yes, let’s go try.
And, really, the Potty Time App was good for me too. Watching the videos of the kind adults singing fun signing songs with the children, I noticed the patience and enjoyment and remembered later. Children are beautiful humans made in God’s image and they deserve respect and kindness. They aren’t here for to make the world more efficient and productive. They’re here for love. I know all that, but it was good for me to watch big humans and little humans enjoying each other and life so much. I can do that, too. Just stick too it, come on and try.
Sometimes all we need is a little good encouragement.
Oh wow. I desperately needed this! Someone at my house will cheerfully go #1 at almost any time, and if we’re sticking with it, she’ll even tell me when she needs to go. But #2? {deep, agonized groans} I tried the thing of wearing panties on her so she’d have a better sense of what’s happening, but I gotta say, I just got sick of washing out stinky bloomers. Virtual sticker? Count me in!