Overall, I think I'm a pretty good mom. I love my kids, I enjoy "rumbling" with them in the yard, I know how to be a strict disciplinarian when I have to, and I am absolutely and unquestionably committed to parenthood.
That's why potty-training has been such a nightmare. I find myself snapping at Keira when she has an accident, wanting to tear my hair out when she poops in her underwear again, and verging as close to spanking - a philosophy I don't ascribe to - as I had ever imagined myself being. I know, I know, it's supposed to be a process, and I should be supportive and patient while Keira struggles to take this next developmental jump. But when she promises me that she's going to poo in the potty and then lets a load loose in her shorts...I just find myself at my rope's end. Suddenly, I find myself and my parenting skills truly being tested, and I think I might only be earning a C.
Thank goodness my trial - and poor Keira's - looks like it might finally have come to an end. After months (yes, months) of frustrating conversations, arguments, and threats, Keira has used the potty every single day all week. Her teachers at school are elated, her classmates have cheered and done litte dances around the toilet to celebrate her "deposits", and Felix and I are thrilled. What did it take for this magical transformation to take place? As much as I would like to take credit, I don't think I had anything to do with it.
Last weekend, I heard a loud thud, and Keira was suddenly wailing. We scurried over to see what was wrong and found that she had slipped and fallen.
Slipped. And fallen. Lying in a puddle of her own pee.
Yes, that's right. Keira had had an accident, and as she was trying to run away, she lost her footing and fell right into the mess. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry, she was so upset. After we had finally cleaned her up and calmed her down, Felix and I talked Keira through the incident, explaining that using the potty would prevent these sorts of crazy issues from happening. Of course, we didn't really expect anything to change (we'd been working on this for months, remember), but we figured it would still be a valuable learning experience.
Lo and behold! The very next day Keira started using the potty. And she used it the day after that. And the day after that. And every day since then! It's been a week, and we're counting a blessings. Most importantly, I finally feel like I'm being a good mom again...for now. =)
That's why potty-training has been such a nightmare. I find myself snapping at Keira when she has an accident, wanting to tear my hair out when she poops in her underwear again, and verging as close to spanking - a philosophy I don't ascribe to - as I had ever imagined myself being. I know, I know, it's supposed to be a process, and I should be supportive and patient while Keira struggles to take this next developmental jump. But when she promises me that she's going to poo in the potty and then lets a load loose in her shorts...I just find myself at my rope's end. Suddenly, I find myself and my parenting skills truly being tested, and I think I might only be earning a C.
Thank goodness my trial - and poor Keira's - looks like it might finally have come to an end. After months (yes, months) of frustrating conversations, arguments, and threats, Keira has used the potty every single day all week. Her teachers at school are elated, her classmates have cheered and done litte dances around the toilet to celebrate her "deposits", and Felix and I are thrilled. What did it take for this magical transformation to take place? As much as I would like to take credit, I don't think I had anything to do with it.
Last weekend, I heard a loud thud, and Keira was suddenly wailing. We scurried over to see what was wrong and found that she had slipped and fallen.
Slipped. And fallen. Lying in a puddle of her own pee.
Yes, that's right. Keira had had an accident, and as she was trying to run away, she lost her footing and fell right into the mess. I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry, she was so upset. After we had finally cleaned her up and calmed her down, Felix and I talked Keira through the incident, explaining that using the potty would prevent these sorts of crazy issues from happening. Of course, we didn't really expect anything to change (we'd been working on this for months, remember), but we figured it would still be a valuable learning experience.
Lo and behold! The very next day Keira started using the potty. And she used it the day after that. And the day after that. And every day since then! It's been a week, and we're counting a blessings. Most importantly, I finally feel like I'm being a good mom again...for now. =)
