Potty Time?

Oh potty training...Surely there are things that are harder to teach than potty training; in fact, I've probably taught some of them during my time as a teacher. But for some reason, this is the skill that's got me the most nervous. I'd rather teach a blind dysgraphic child to write in cursive than attempt this feat. I've found myself actually wishing Reese was in day care lately, so her daytime care takers (surely people with more potty training experience than me) could help me out on this one...but no such luck.

It's a combination of factors that's making it tough: she shows interest one day and not the next, she doesn't want to wear a diaper but also doesn't want to make a poopie anywhere besides a diaper, she'll sit on the potty when it's her idea but not when asked or prompted. The tried and true method of making frequent trips to the potty in order to reinforce success is completely lost on Reese (at least when Mommy tries). The mere mention of, "Hey, let's go sit on the potty" if she hasn't mentioned that she might need to go or want to go can bring the house down.


To Daddy's dismay, she's spending most days running around the house without a diaper or panties in hopes that she'll feel the urge and make it to her potty in time. It's just about guaranteed that if she's in a diaper or panties, she'll wet them and then immediately ask to be changed, but with the semi-naked approach the jury's still out. We've had some major successes, but also quite a few messes on the floor. (I'm super grateful we have limited carpet in the house now.) I'm sure she won't be in diapers when she enters kindergarten, I just don't know if we should continue on our path or give it a rest and try again later. Is it that she's not ready, or will being inconsistent and giving up now just delay the process and make it harder later?


Some 'nakie' and 'semi-nakie' photos from our recent time around the house--Reese sure doesn't mind the minimal clothing option.