Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Lately we've been sort of frustrated with Noah because he won't go poop in the potty. He's been going "tinkle" in the potty since he was two but everytime he has to go number two he insists on having a pull-up and standing in the corner of the toy room, next to the toy kitchen. Anyway, this weekend Mark decided "no more pull-ups" and I've been left with the dirty work ever since. After only three days of trying (and about 10 hours in the bathroom, sitting on the cold tile floor, cheering him on and reading picture books) I've had it! So, this afternoon Noah and I hit the internet and did a google search--"Poop in the Potty." Unbelievably, there were a few blocked sites (reason code: sexual education????) and a bunch of message boards full of mommies looking for suggestions, but not getting a whole lot of help. Noah snuggled mostly while I read and eventually we came up with a plan for moving Noah's bowels up in the world. First, thanks to a Dr. Alan Greene I was reassured that "children have a deep, urgent desire for growth and mastery. They would love to be able to poop on the toilet like their parents, like their teachers, like their friends. This longing is profound, and will win out in the end." So, eventually, he'll get it. Next, we made a little compromise that I would give him a pull-up if he would sit on the potty while he pooped. And amazingly enough, it worked. In about 30 seconds he had pooped, we wiped, dumped, flushed and lit a match. He was happy and so was I. And hopefully, by the end of the week we'll be able to do the entire process without the pull-up. Last but not least, Dr. Alan Greene made the following statement which I think is so great, especially when you are somebody like me whose life revolves around your kids' bowel movements.
"Although this time can be a frustrating and messy one, it's a great opportunity for you to model for your child how to approach many of life's challenges:
- when you want to do something, it's easier
-if you don't want to do something, figure out why
-internal motivation is the best motivation
-identify what it is that stands between you and completing your goal
-sometimes pull-ups slow down your progress
-often others see when you are shifting from foot to foot, before you do
-continuing to do what you are comfortable with can keep you from growing
-poop happens, accidents are part of learning to do it right
-don't beat yourself up over mistakes
-overcoming a challenge is a process
-sometimes you just need to do it
-celebrate sucesses!"
Happy Pooping!
posted by Shana # 4:23 PM 
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