The 4 P's PeePee Potty, Poop, and Patience: My Journey in Daytime Potty Training Myself

​Step 1: Naked Baby—I let my little one run around and play naked while I intently and purposefully played with him and watched him for his signs and tells that he needed to potty.  This was the hardest part for me because messes will happen.  He pooped on the floor; he peed on the floor.  He did it over and over again until I learned his signs and began to anticipate his pattern.

It was here.  The time had come.  No matter how much I tried to ignore it my little one actually kept signaling that he was ready and I knew I needed to seize the opportunity.  I sought advice from friends, patients, Facebook groups, Google, etc.  The best advice I got was from my best friend who had just finished going through the process.  She recommended I get Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right By: Jamie Glowacki.  So I did!  Heck if it worked for her it had to work for me right?!?!

Well I’ll first say that it did!  Secondly it was not easy but then it’s not supposed to be.   While I highly recommend that you read the book well at least the first 5 chapters I’ll give a very simplified breakdown of how we went through the processes.

Step 2: Commando Baby—Then I had to put him in pants with not diaper and no underwear.  The washing machine became my best friend.  I contemplated buying more clothes for him because I felt like I couldn’t keep up, but I remained strong and focused that this time would pass.  We stayed at home initially most of the time because I was afraid of what would happen outside.  But I learned that we couldn’t stay locked in the house forever.  I learned to pack extra clothes, and to monitor and time his fluids if we had a planned outing.  I learned how to pull over on the side of the road and help him pee outside. 

Step 3:  Emerging Independence—it was so cute how after he started getting the hang of things he started wanting to help empty his own potty and wanted to flush the big commode.  I eventually learned to let go while he carried the bowl to the bathroom.  I learned to move the potty further away from me and allow him dignity and privacy (though he often calls me into the bathroom and often sits in the bathroom with me ??‍♀️)

Step 4:  Growing in Steps—we tried moving his step stool to the big commode however with no handles I got worried about his turns and transitioning so I went to Amazon and bought Potty Toilet Trainer Seat with Step Stool Ladder.  This has him using the adult commode like a champ!

I know that eventually I will need to teach him how to potty standing up and will need to work on night time potty training but as this process has taught me.  Everything in its season!  ?