I have to start off by telling out by telling you just how much I LOVE potty training! Do you sense my sarcasm? I will admit that at this stage of what I have encountered in my parenting experience I would eagerly take on the sleepless nights of newborn feedings and even tantrums over potty training. Almost everyone I talk with agrees that their boys were much harder than girls to potty train. I hear amazing stories of 18 month – 2 year olds eager to potty train and there is always one common factor – they are the girls. You also just have to love how everyone has the perfect age of when you should potty train and no matter how you are tackling it you just aren’t doing it right. My oldest 2 boys were 3 and 3 months and 3 ½ before I can say they were successfully potty trained. I am not going to try to embellish upon their timeline at all. My theory is that boys just have better things to spend their time on and personal hygiene is at the bottom of the list. The good news? As only a few people shared with me, is that they were ready for Kindergarten without diapers. Sometimes I say you just can’t sweat the small stuff, but we all know that is easier said than done.
Thus I have decided to take a new approach with my youngest boy who just turned 2 in July. I am turning over the potty training to Elmo. Yes, you heard me right, Elmo. You see I have discussed potty, poo poo, and pee every time he has come in to see me in the bathroom, all the time when I change his diaper and I have even had his oldest brother (whom he greatly admires) demonstrate how everything works. He has acknowledged no comprehension of what any of all this potty stuff is about until 1 week ago. What happened a week ago you ask? I put in for him “Elmo – Potty Time” to watch while I made dinner. Almost immediately after viewing, he started talking about Elmo going potty and it has continued. However when I talk about going potty he continues to show an absolute innocent look of “what are you talking about”. So here is my proposition to Elmo. I am offering him free room and board to come teach my son how to use the potty. We have lots of crayons, but we got rid of our fish so he can bring his goldfish Dorothy with him too. I am sure my youngest would be happy to share his bed with him, I have lots of food and snacks on hand from my couponing, and I’m sure with 5 of us in the house we can offer him plenty of tickles. So if anyone has any connections with Elmo can you let him know about my offer?
