Friday, January 23, 2009

Potty Training and Broken Heart

Wednesday we had a full out potty training day. We took off Lizzie's diaper and put big girl panties on her. We hyped it up and made a big deal about it before hand and she was exited on P-day to wear her Elmo panties. We set her elmo potty up in the kitchen and had m&ms and stickers ready to go. I wanted her to see what it felt like to be wet in panties, so she can start to learn when to use the potty. We stayed home all day and I asked her every 45 minutes or so to use the potty. In the morning she did very well. She had no accidents and even stayed dry during nap. (We had a pull up on her just in case.) After nap, however, was a different story. She had many accidents and just could not seem to make it to the potty. We did not scold her, but I could tell she was upset by her accidents. The next day we woke her up and she seemed very anxious about the potty. She did not want to go and even ran and hid in the other room to pee and poop in her underpants. At that point I did not make a big deal. I just said ok let's go to the potty and we will try harder to make it next time. At this point she was crying when I would ask her to use the potty. So, pull ups came on and we backed off for the day. Today she stayed in diapers, but I asked her if she wanted to use the potty and up until this point she has not wanted to. I know it is ok. She is only 26 months and is very smart. When she is ready she will do it. I know that she will eventually get it and I have to be patient.

On another note. I am sure many mothers have had their babies break their hearts, but yesterday was a bad one for me. Lizzie was playing at my mom's house while I was working in the office with my aunt Sherry. I went in the house to tell her it was time for nap. (It was almost 2:30.) When I came in the room she said, "Mommy no get you.( She refers to herself as you.) Mommy go away. Go see Sherry. No like mommy." It broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes. I know she was just having fun and did not want to nap, but it still made me sad. Sometimes it seems like she wants anyone, but me. But I know she spends all day every day with me and needs interaction with other people, but it still is not fun to hear that. I licked wounds and told her, you don't have to like mommy, but I love you. And sent her to bed. She quickly recovered from her dislike of mommy because that evening I was leaving the house for a little while and she and Claire were staying with daddy and as I was walking out she was sobbing and saying "my mommy no leave." I know she did not mean it and it is probably stupid to let it bother me and I am sure it will not be the last time she breaks my heart. But it still was sad. She is becoming a little girl and is no longer a baby. She is asserting her Independence from mommy and figuring out her likes and dislikes. It is just sad to watch her grow up sometimes.

1 comment:

Margie said...

a little tip about potty training... it's a little bit of work in the beginning... but track how long after she eats that she has to go poop. Then you can make the transition easy. You know about 1/2 hour after she eats... she goes... and then try getting her on the potty at that time. It sometimes can help make it a success! and no poopies in the pull up or the panties!