Ignore No More

Mary Ella hit two years old and I was asked, "what about potty training???" by her pediatrician. Since she was my first, I had no idea that was even in the picture. For me, there was a tendency to "over do" for Mary Ella not realizing she could, in fact, be independent with some things. Now with Addy, for MONTHS she has been showing interest in going to the "big girl" potty. She asks to go when her sister goes or I go, so I sit her up there and she goes. This progressed to her telling me when she had just gone in her diaper. During all this, I have conciously ignored all these signs of readiness because, uh-um, I haven't been ready. Yes, I said it. Yes, I know most people would be anxiously awaiting this milestone. And, YES, in some ways it does make life easier:

1. Don't have the expense of diapers
2. Don't have to spend the time cleaning up after an atomic bomb
3. More independence (once the process is completed)
Yady-yada-yada

BUT, with it comes

1. Random trips to nasty public restrooms because a two year old can't help but wiggle, jiggle and put the hands on a toilet seat (that sent ick-chills up my spine just typing it)...with two other children in tow.
2. Remembering to take her to the potty before every trip in the car. Now, this is hard because I'm forgetful as it is. I always leave ONE thing behind when I leave the house requiring one more trip inside or it stays forgotten until I get to the destination and need it. Potty trip in addition to getting three young children in the car...challenging.
3. Pottying in the toilet is one thing, but independence with the cleaning doesn't come for another year or two which means her trips to the potty are my trips whether I'm cooking or feeding baby..."holding it" is not an option.

You get the point. So now she is ripping off her diaper, waking up dry, etc. It is only a matter of time before I find her fingerpainting with you-know-what. I guess I can't ignore this any longer. The time is going to be invested and we are going to rip this band-aid off once and for all. "Skittle potty training" begins. She gets one Skittle per trip. At least this is another way we can work on our "colors" :). Wish us luck!