Potty Training

Samantha 18 mos old

When it comes to parenting I like to read books. I like to think I do this because I know I don't have all the answers and I like to read about others' experiences and opinions. What worked for them may work for me. The problem is that once I read something I like I subscribe to it 100%. If it is an opinion I agree with, I make that author an "expert" in my mind. This was my detriment when it came to my early attempts at potty training. Like my husband says, "anyone can write a book".
Samantha started showing signs of being interested in the potty at 18 months. (pic above) So, I bought a little potty, put it in the bathroom, and let her play on it. Over the next couple of months, I would sit her on it here and there and sometimes she would go! I thought, "she is so smart she will definitely potty train early!"
At 21 months I decided to potty train her. I read a 3 day potty training book. Boot camp style. I let her run around with no bottoms on and pee everywhere! Each time I encouraged her to use the potty next time. After 5 days of frustration and endless clean up, I quit! I was so disappointed. What went wrong? I read the book again. I did everything right. Is she just stubborn? Do I need to break her will? I read another book which basically told me I was in charge and needed to be the parent and not take failure as an option. Hmmm. I could do that, I think...
After discussing it with Joe, we came to the conclusion that maybe she just wasn't ready. Samantha is very smart, but maybe the physicality of it isn't understood yet. Perhaps the mental and physical aren't melding. It's still early.
I waited another couple of months and tried again. This time I was smarter. I quit after one day of pee everywhere!
Samantha turned two at the end of September and I wanted to try again. But I didn't want failure again. I had one week off of work at the beginning of October. I wavered. Did I want to spend that week potty training or did I want to enjoy this time having fun with my kid? I chose the latter and decided to hold off on potty training for awhile. She was still young and there was plenty of time to learn the potty.
Soon after her 2nd birthday, Joe and I decided we would try putting her on the potty first thing in the morning and see what happens. Well, for two weeks straight, she peed in the potty every morning! Maybe I should try again?
So on a Saturday in mid October, I took off the diaper and set the timer. I had heard of many moms having success with setting a "potty timer" and each time it went off, you instruct your kid to sit on the potty. I tried the timer a few times that Saturday morning and each time, Samantha would jump up after a few seconds and continue on with her play. I thought that once again it wasn't time. I turned the timer off with the intent to forget about the potty training. A few moments later I looked up to see Samantha running down the hall to the bathroom saying, "I go pee pee!" I was flabbergasted! I ran after her to see her peeing on her potty!
The rest of the day went the same. Samantha was in charge and she was training herself. I would occasionally ask her if she needed to go and she would respond "yes" or "no". Over the next three days, she had only a couple of accidents. My daughter potty trained herself in a weekend! We even did errands. I brought her potty along and she would use it in the car before or after we went into the store. By the end of the week, she was using public toilets as well. We still use a diaper for nap and bedtime, but for the most part, she is fully trained during her awake time. I'm amazed at how easy this transition has been.
Samantha and I both learned lessons from this process. My wonderful kid has learned to use the potty and is amazingly successful in it so far. I give her all the credit. She decided she wanted to learn so she did, and I encouraged and praised her on her way. I have learned not to rush, not to force, and to allow my daughter to grow, mature, and learn at HER own pace. This  has shown me that when I do that, the learning experience for her is so much more enjoyable and rewarding. And that is what I want for her! I want her to enjoy the process of growing up. To revel in her learning and successes. This kid is going to keep on teaching me life lessons I guess!
Oh, and by the way....WOOHOO!!! MY KID IS POTTY TRAINED!

 Samantha's chart. She likes to put the stickers on top of each other. They are Thomas of course.

Good morning hair and all, she is happy to be a big girl on the potty!