And then there were four…..

I dont think I am alone on this but for the sake of originality, let’s just say that I am.

My kids have never had successful potty training. Arianna was only out of her nappies close to 4 years old (yes, we used both diapers and clothe nappies – I try to do my part to save Mother Earth but it aint easy!) and KR was out of it for awhile after she turned 2 which I thought was a miracle given how long it took Arianna but I thought too highly of KR and it didnt take long – maybe a few months before it all just went downhill. She’s back onto diapers and I reckon it’s most probably because she got sick of going to the toilet every 5 minutes and have just a few drops come out. It was annoying for both her and me, and at that time, my mum too.

But recently she has been showing signs of readiness but the minute I mention using the potty, she freaks out. She’s still got a year left in her if I’m comparing with Arianna so who knows….hopefully she will be trained by then. As for Brandon, I havent tried at all coz he’s barely 2yrs (19mths to be exact) and I’m in no rush.

However, when it comes to the big business – it’s tough work! While its no problem for KR and Brandon coz they have their diapers on, with Arianna it is a big deal. She only goes once every 2 days IF I force her to or bribe her, otherwise she’ll just keep it in until its too late and she gets constipated and we have to give her a suppository. I’ve bribed her with many things from lollies, to DVDs and with books too and more often than not, it does get her on the pot which is my ultimate goal but I dont like the methods I’m using. The issue with Arianna is I reckon she’s just too lazy to go or simply keeps it in coz there’s something on telly she wants to watch and that takes priority and we all know when the urge is gone, it’s gone. And it will be awhile before it comes back.

Taking an idea I saw on some nanny reality show about parenting from this super nanny called Jo I think, I came up with the poop sticker idea. lol Sounds feral I know but heck, if it works – I’ve struck gold! After she went yesterday, I told her that since she was a very good girl and went to poop, she can have a sticker to stick on our calendar to show that she’s pooped. She was most glad about it! And I told her that everytime she poops, she gets a sticker to stick on the calendar. And the whole of today, madam was obsessed with that!! So much so that she asked to go poop just so she could get a sticker to stick. lol

So she went and tried but apparently her poop wasnt ready to come out and nothing happened. Poor thing was devastated but I told her that sometimes it happens and she can try again. She cheered up at that and that was that. I think I really may have struck gold with this method!! All thanks to Super Nanny Jo….

I tells ya, seeing those kids on that show makes me want to fall down on my knees and thank the good Lord for the angels He has given me. And I always remind myself of those kids when mine get out of hand – they are no where near how horrid those kids are and I cannot imagine what happened to get those kids the way they are. It may be a reality show but I dont think you can get kids to act that way. It was scary BUT I like watching shows like that because you can learn a lot of tips and put them to practice.

Me? I’m just thankful for the kids I have – wouldnt change them for the world! They may be naughty sometimes but they are good kids and I wouldnt want them any other way.