Here is how I knew it was time: my little guy was running around naked after a bath. He ran up to me and said, “I need a diaper”. Ok, maybe I have procrastinated potty training longer than I should have, but in my defense, I have been a little bit busy! I have just been dreading the hourly runs to the bathroom, trying to get clothes on and off a 2 year old, while holding the baby. It seems like I should be prepared for all of this. After all, just 2 years ago I was going through the same thing with my oldest, and my little guy was just a baby.
So, I decided to go for it. I set up a sticker chart. I got a supply of marshmallows for rewards. I filled the little guy’s drawer with new big-boy underwear.
I was pretty much preparing for a battle, since the little guy doesn’t like to do things the easy way, but it turns out that he is actually doing great! He has had a few accidents, but they usually happen when I am distracted and haven’t remembered to take him to the bathroom. He even stayed dry on a 7 hour car ride! Well, we did have one emergency stop by the side of the road when we were absolutely not going to make it to a bathroom. We were thankful at that point that we had boys. I think it was one of the highlights of the little guy’s whole vacation!
Usually I have some mixed feelings when my kids reach big milestones. I can feel the excitement of moving to the next level, but still feel the twinge of sadness about how quickly the time goes. Not so much with potty training. It is pure joy! 🙂 Once you bring home the new baby and change those tiny little diapers and then move back to the GIGANTIC diapers of a two year old, it is truly eye-opening. A toddler’s diapers seem dinosaur sized! We are absolutely celebrating this milestone! I am counting down the days until the baby reaches it too. The idea of a diaper-free house??? I can’t wait!!!