This might seem like a lame goal, but I knew that if I made it one of my monthly goals I would actually do it and not let it drag on forever! :)
So, my son, Austin, turned 3 the end of January. We have been telling him every day for about 6 months that when he turns 3 there will be no more diapers. This tactic worked great for my daughter that is 2 years older than him, but not so great for my older son. I wasn't sure how Austin was going to respond.
When Austin was about 2 1/2 and was showing signs of wanting to use the potty and understanding what it was all about, we bought him his own little potty. It is the greatest potty ever because it cheers for him every time he uses it with success! It has a little sensor and will make music and say, "Yea!" every time he goes pee or poop. This was quite motivational for him--not to mention the potty treats. :)
So, when he turned 3, his OCD nature became a very good thing and he decided he was done with diapers! It has been hard to get him to use a pull-up for naps and bedtime even! He has done awesome. He has still had a few accidents, but has really done well.
With my older children, potty training was a very emotional, almost power-struggle issue. I dreaded it every time. But, this has been a very positive and unemotional experience. 5 kids down, 1 to go!
Weaning Felicia:
I don't know how many of you have gone through this experience before, but there is something about weaning your last child that is a little difficult. I have loved the peaceful bonding time that I get when I am nursing a baby. Sometimes, it is the only chance I get to actually sit down and think during the day! And knowing that Felicia is our last child, I held on to that. I tried weaning her about 4 months ago, but she was crying and I was crying and we just weren't ready! She will be 2 in June. Then, she started trying to pull up my shirt and I was nervous that it was going to get pretty embarrassing at church or in other social situations. Ha! Also, I am one that has a very difficult time losing weight until I am done nursing. I turned 40 years old in February and I really wanted to give myself a gift and lose a few pounds. So, February came and I was ready.
But, I am finally all dried up, flat as a pancake, and a couple of pounds lighter. I will always miss those sweet nursing moments, however. It is such a special time with your baby!
7 comments:
Congratulations on both counts! Your little boy looks so proud of himself. Isnt it funny how much the promise of reward can motivate? I used reward to get my 3 year old to keep his hands out of his pants. 10 star stickers earned him a sucker. It only took a few days, and it was cured. Youre such a good mom to nurse your daughter...and for the amunt of time you did! I can imagine it could get awkward when she starts asserting herself in getting a meal, ha!
Yea Holli! Talk about things to dread, you just did two in one month! Way to go. I really dread potty training and did it with Isaac in December with the motivation of "do it now before were in a brand new house." He was my hardest by far and still has an accident a day to keep it me humble. Every room in the house has been marked!
I am impressed with weaning Felicia, there is something about your last one, right? "Flat as a pancake", so true, so true! Great write up!
Is that a poster of the Proclamation on the bathroom wall? Genius. These are two big projects to tackle at once!
Don't know where my first comment went, but I figured out that it's a poster of the Articles of Faith. Still genius. Your children are darling.
My last was hardest to wean as well! Her last day of nursing was on her second birthday, two months ago. She is still asking for milk, and has really struggled with letting go. But she was at the point where she was telling daddy that she wanted to "eat mommy." and if her big sister came to play while she was nursing she'd pause just long enough to say, "just minute" and go back to nursing. Ya, I think she would have nursed til she was five if I let her.
My last was hardest to wean as well! Her last day of nursing was on her second birthday, two months ago. She is still asking for milk, and has really struggled with letting go. But she was at the point where she was telling daddy that she wanted to "eat mommy." and if her big sister came to play while she was nursing she'd pause just long enough to say, "just minute" and go back to nursing. Ya, I think she would have nursed til she was five if I let her.
Such hard mommy tasks to tackle! Good job doing both in the same month. Nursing is so great, I love hearing stories of mom's who nurse for a long time ;).
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