Potty Training - We'll Try Again Later

In preparation for potty training, I read countless articles and stories and talked to moms about their experiences and just knew that we would be able to train our bright, mature, sweet little 23 month old in 3 days like everybody else and their kid.

It didn't work.  And that's ok.

(success!)

I just wanted to put that out there for any other mom who was (or is) all gunned up about training their bright, mature kiddo, and finds that it just wasn't the right time.  She had all the signs that said she was ready, but really, she wasn't.

It was hard to stop.  We gave it a good 6 days before putting the diapers back on.  We had 2 successes, but not enough to keep going, and not enough communication that she really understood what "needing to go" felt like.  We did a combination of methods with the main goal of getting her on the potty as fast as possible when she started peeing and praise her and reward her for getting it in the potty.  It didn't work.  She started to hold it, which means she can control it, but just wouldn't try to get to the potty.  AT. ALL.  She would pee on the floor 1 foot away from the little potty.

So, take heart.  If you have to put the diapers back on, it's not the end of the world.  Since then, she is waaaay more aware of what is going on down there and will even "watch" as she tee-tees in her diaper.  She knows when she's pooped and doesn't like the feeling or the smell.  She'll go in her potty if she needs to before bath time, even.  She has lots and lots of signs that she's ready, but I just don't think she's ready...yet. We still talk about it and encourage it and let her sit on that potty whenever she wants...and we reward her : )  Still training, just not formally.

(And, yes, I did roll up the rug!)