Momentum, that’s what it takes to move forward. And when I look at that word I always see “mom” first. I have to keep pushing us forward. Potty training, it’s not a week of diligently working through the process with my little one, it can be minutes, and hours, and days, and weeks, and months, and years, of going through the words, and motions until there is success. And then when there is success, we have to brace ourselves for what feels like backtracking, or a complete loss of skill, even though it’s truly not gone. I started early with Owen for potty training, he wasn’t even two when we talked about it, and I showed him the potty. He had no interest in it, and then I was more focused on a thousand other things. Owen couldn’t communicate, had anger issues, and wasn’t progressing in so many areas. It was a whirlwind of doctor visits, therapy, and crying; for both of us. And then one day we started going to the potty. He had been through the fecal smearing phase off, and on for a couple years, and then it was like a miracle, he told me one day he had to go “poo poo in de potty”. We celebrated with a bubble party. Days, and days, and days went by with success. I relaxed, I breathed, and then I cried. Fecal smearing was back. How on earth was that even possible, but there it was. As quickly as the potty trips started, they vanished. I was back on high alert again. If he was quiet for five minutes, I went into panic mode. It’s an emotional dance for me. He doesn’t understand his body, and the rules that we have set for it. The last few days he has done really good about going to the potty, but I have to prompt him. This too shall come, and we will take it one day at a time, together. For now I’m trying to figure out how to get the screaming to stop, the meltdowns to stay at bay, and the smiles to be abundant. Share your smile, because someone needs to see it. Smiles to all and donut daze!
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