Prayers for the Potty

I apologize in advance if you aren't a parent because I'm going to talk about parent-y things today that involves words like "pee pee" and "potty." So, feel free to skip right over this post. Or read on for a good laugh.

Ok friends, I'm in need of serious prayer today. Well not that serious. Today begins my attempt at potty training Luke. So maybe a little serious.

I have heard nothing but great things about this method and so that's what we will be trying. Everyone I talked to says it absolutely works, so we will see. The author recommends starting at 22 months but we are a bit late since that horrible 1st trimester full of morning sickness. Oh well.

To be honest, I'm super nervous. In theory, it all sounds great. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have Luke out of diapers long before this baby comes. Buying two sizes of diapers just isn't in the cards for this momma.

But then I think about the logistics...staying home all day, every day for 3 possibly 4 days. Lots of accidents and underwear washing. And let's be honest, I'm not the most patient person around. And I get SCURED. Very scared.

Don't get me wrong. I think Luke is ready. 100%. He tells me when he's going potty in his diaper. In fact, yesterday he told me BEFORE he went in his diaper. And I feel this is more of an experiment at this point. I'm cautiously optimistic that it will work. But if it doesn't then I will give it a month or two and try again. September is still a long way off.

Signs of readiness at 12 months? I don't think so...

I guess the part that scares me is that it's going to be work. Gosh, don't I sound like the laziest person ever? (Just being totally honest here.) But really, I think Luke's success in this new endeavor is directly related to the amount of work I'm willing to put in. I know several parents who haven't potty trained and say their kid isn't ready...when they haven't even tried it. How do you know your child is capable of doing something if you don't let them try?

Luke amazes me daily with the things he does. More often than not, when I let him do something new he is more than capable of doing it. And then I think Oh, wow! I definitely don't give him enough credit.

So yes, letting Luke try the potty is going to be work. On my part. And on his. But how sweet the reward if we are both able to push through together and come out the other side diaper free? I think I will take just as much, if not more, pride in him using the potty than he will.

And if he doesn't? Well, then it won't be from a lack of trying on my part. But we will take a break, regroup, and soldier on again in a few months. Just the first life lesson of many that growing up is hard and that sometimes it takes a couple tries before you get it right.

So please, if you think of me this weekend say a prayer for Luke and I. That I remain patient and positive. That Luke sees this as a fun and exciting time with mom. Not something traumatic or scary. And that I don't run out of rewards for his efforts. Stickers and M&M's for days people.

I will keep you all updated on how it goes...