Potty Training 101

All honesty, I am the last person to give potty training advice.  Caleb is 3.5 years old and just now got the whole potty thing down pat.  He has gone 5 days accident free.  When he hits 7 days, I am going to stop the pull ups at night unless he tells me he wants his underwear sooner.  We were talking about it earlier this evening.

Me:  Hey Caleb.  Maybe in a few days, you can start wearing your underwear to bed.  What do you think?
Caleb:  Yeah.  I'll wear my underwear to bed.
Me:  Meanwhile, you need to keep going potty like you have.  No accidents
Caleb:  I haven't had any accidents.
Me:  I know and that is great.  But if you keep it up, in 4 days, I will let you have your big surprise. *holding up 4 fingers*
Caleb:  No. *pushes one of my fingers down* In 3 days, I get my surprise.
Me:  Ok.  In 3 days *holding 3 fingers up* you can get your surprise.  I will agree with that.
Caleb:  No.  *pushes another finger down*  In 2 days, I get my surprise.
Me:  Caleb!!  I went from 4 to 3 days.  That is good enough.
Caleb:  No, I like 2 days.

So how did I finally get Caleb potty trained?  Toys.  Expensive toys.  LOL.  Not a $10 toy.  More like $13, then $17, and the big surprise toy is $50.  And it wasn't just 3 toys.  I think from last Wednesday to Friday he received 4 toys.  Prior to then, he received 2 DVD's and 1 other toy.  And now, he has 1 more toy left.  I had tried all other measures to get him to go.  From bribing with money, putting him on the potty every hour, stickers, reward chart, and all that did not work.  Once we started the toy thing and sent him to school in underwear, he finally understood.  I would understand too if it meant I would receive presents.  LOL.

Anyway, he is finally doing it.  Today I picked him up from preschool and he immediately told me he pooped on the potty.  Which is great considering a week ago, he wouldn't even pee on the potty at preschool.

Now, I can finally breathe and know the hardest part is over with.  He has now hit his biggest and final milestone from being a baby to a big boy. It is sad yet joyful.  No more diapers but again no more diapers.  Most parents will understand that statement.

More than anything, I am so proud of him.  Because in all honesty, he really did this on his own.  All I could do is let him know how proud I was with every little step he took to this milestone.

Suck It Up Mom Moment:  My baby boy is now an official big boy.  And that he is too smart for his own good.