Myla Katzav

I feared potty training...because it was an addedd inconvenience for me. Perhaps when the decision to do it came, I was feeling somewhat demotivated..part of "work" really. This happens of course to every moms and it is just a very normal feeling..

Its good I had Haim who pushed and started it with or without me...or else, my daughter would have still been stuck to her diapers for a longer time.

I researched about how to potty train a child the best and fastest way...unfortunately, the best and the fastest way didnt work for me and most especially for Rachel. Well, I have to confess..it didnt work more because of my attitude towards it and not because Rachel wasnt ready...oh she was very ready! I just slowed her down with my hesitations.

There are different methods to potty train a child...you can read thousands of articles, join forums, buy the cd's and even attend seminars. But I didnt have the stength to go through any of it! So, I just picked up tips from various articles, took in some advices from forums and then I was ready. How I picked up which tips and advices to follow were those which I believed will work for my daughter and of course it must be something that I trust in.

For example, I dont believe in rewarding a child on a regular basis for work well done. I just feel that a child should not get used to getting something in return for a task expected from her. Or in contrast, to have her favorite flavored ice cream or a giant toy just because she did something right. I think that they deserve to have whatever it is their hearts desire at any moment you feel they should have it.

Dont get me wrong, I do discipline my children but this is something that should be about correcting their mistakes and not letting them repeat it. To me, a child on potty training who makes wee-wee in her panty no matter how many days or weeks or months she has been doing it in the toilet should not be scolded because she is not making a mistake. Making wee-wee in her panties is something she's done since she was born! It works to bring her to the toilet every 20 minutes and commend her everytime she goes to do it in the toilet by herself.

Oh and before, I got mad, I got irritated, I almost brought her back to the diapers....but then, I realized, I wasnt thinking well during those moments and so everytime I was on the verge of acting on my tuntrams, I stopped....its not Rachel..its me who's doing a mistake here.

Finally, it takes a lot of patience and explanation in words and actions. Now, my Rachel goes to the toilet by herself, switches on the light, opens the door, places the plastic box to step on below the toilet seat, removes her panty and pants/shorts and then does it all by herself (including wiping and flushing under my help and supervision!). Of course she still misses sometimes specially when we are out of the house and probably she gets confused or scared to do it in another toilet or when she is excited during playtime with some kids, but the whole process, when done with cool minds, works out fine in the end.

 

Tags: potty training
Categories: Being a full-time "IMA"