Potty Time!!

So the last time Jackson showed any interest in the potty was at about 2.5 years old, last year… he went once or twice, but I knew he wasn’t really ready, so I’ve held off on full-on training until recently.  I’ve always been of the mindset that I preferred to wait until J really showed most of the readiness signs, and seemed developmentally prepared, instead of having any age-based ideals.

Gradually, I’ve introduced the concepts over the last few months through books and just casual references.  His favorite books are Everyone Poops and Time to Pee!  Over the last couple of weeks, he suddenly started to catch on, and he began peeing in the potty regularly at bedtime and naptime.  I waited to make sure his interest and willingness didn’t fade, and then decided to use an upcoming weekend to do some for-reals training.

So last weekend, we geared up with some super-cool Disney Cars underwear, M&Ms, and an iPhone charting app.  Overall, it went really well!  We only had a couple of minor accidents, and he quickly caught on.

I decided to start out with prompting him to go on a regular, hourly schedule; by the end of the weekend, he was going a little bit each time!  We do underwear while at home, and pull-ups at nap/bedtime and out/about (but we stayed at home most of the weekend so he could have undies practice!).  He gets an M&M reward for peeing.  I started out charting with the (free) Pull-Ups iGo Potty app, but I didn’t end up finding it useful / simple enough, so I’ve nixed it and am now just watching the clock myself, and recording progress notes.  My choice for training was the Baby Bjorn Potty Chair – I even scored one on a consignment deal, so he has matching potty chairs at his Grammy’s (for weekdays) and at home (and we’ve had it in his bathroom for a looooonnnnnggggg time).

Over the last several days, he’s progressed wonderfully.  He’s even gone #2 a couple of times!  I’m so proud of him for catching on so quickly, and really, truly, making it an easy process for all of us.  He’s absolutely adorable how proud he is of himself as well…every time, he still yells out excitedly “I’m peeing in the potty!!” and he’ll announce his achievements to family and friends with a huge grin.

I can’t believe how my little boy is growing up!  This is definitely one of those stark moments of growth and development that creates a line in the sand from baby/toddler to little boy!