Way To Go Friday

I have to give myself three cheers for getting the octopus out of bed quickly this morning. Owen came to my bed around four, but after a quick discussion he was back to sleep and I realized I had a headache. Besides sleeping sideways it seems like he slept pretty good. I thought I would try for round two of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and it worked like a dream for the second day in a row. I was thankful. I went through the same basic steps as yesterday and luckily he went to get his tablet. Last night potty time was the last thing on Owen’s mind and he let me know every time it was on my mind. I kept pushing him to go though. Six potty trips, three pairs of underwear, and two hours later he was in his nighttime training pants and I wanted to cry. Potty training has been going on and off since he was two. And it only frustrates me and upsets me to read about the success stories of how a child with autism can be potty trained by the age of four. I then choose to read the studies that say my child wasn’t trained until seven. It’s hard to compare one journey to another. Our story may be similar to others, but there are so many factors on why something is different from one moment to the next for each family. Last night part of the reason Owen didn’t want to go to the potty is that I was not sitting down at different times throughout the evening. He yelled at me numerous times to “sit down” and when I wouldn’t he screamed. Sometimes it doesn’t even phase him that I’m not sitting, but last night it was of great concern. Today he has done better with the bathroom trips, but the emotional trips have been something else, for both of us. When I think I have something figured out I don’t. I never imagined the rollercoaster of emotions I would go through. Today I’ve asked the question a lot, how do I help my baby. Tomorrow may be the one foot in front of the other thing that will all make sense. Always remember you are a lot stronger than you think you are. Smiles to all and donut daze!