Tuesday, September 28, 2010

What's an appropriate reward for pooping near the potty?

After our vacation was over Quinn and I decided to try to get Calvin interested in potty training once again.  But, on top of the fact that he usually runs away when we suggest going potty, progress is still pretty shaky.  I think the main problem is that he's a little too creative with his technique.

First off, he always insists on being completely naked before attempting any bladder control methods.

Then, a week ago he was going to pee. Sounds simple enough. There was a potty seat facing the toilet and a stool in the middle.  I think he could choose between standing on the stool to pee in the toilet or sit on the potty seat, or maybe stand on the ground and pee in the potty.

So what does he do? He stands on the stool and aims for the potty, and pees on in, not in it. I'm trying to be encouraging while pulling out the Clorox wipes. I mean, he's close, right?

Yesterday he was leaning against the ottoman, and his face started to scrunch up in an all too familiar way. I rushed him into the bathroom and took off his diaper. "Hurry, sit on the potty and poop there!" I said.

"No!" He struggled to his feet. "No more potty chair!"

He got up on the stool, and I thought he might sit on the toilet.  Instead, from up on the stool, he lifted his leg like a dog and pooped on my foot!

It was seriously his best attempt at pooping so far and as an added bonus he sat on the potty afterwards and peed a little.  But I had more cleanup to do.

I gave him a congratulatory popsicle, and he didn't really want it. Oh well... I didn't really want him to poop on my foot either, so I guess we're even.