It’s been about 10 days since we started potty training Avery. I’m happy to report that she continues to improve and has had only a few minor “situations.”
The worst experience for me was last Tuesday, the first day I went back to work and Avery went to my parents’ house. She did fine during the day, with just one small accident. But on the way home, we had to make two stops at McDonald’s for false alarms, sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic because of an accident on the interstate, then make another bathroom stop at Kroger before she finally did something. (We finally arrived home about 90 minutes after our trip began when it normally takes about 30 minutes.) But I thought it was a huge accomplishment that she went potty on a big potty in a public restroom! Thank goodness that was the worst day because I couldn’t struggle through that stressful drive home every day!
After Tuesday, she didn’t have any more accidents during the day. She consistently told Grandma, Grandpa, Mommaw, Daddy and me (depending on who she spent the day with) when she had to go potty. And then she actually went potty on the potty chair!
Nights have been more of a struggle. She’s had a few accidents. But she still wakes up every time, asks to go potty, then goes. On Saturday morning, she woke up around 6:45 and was completely dry. Then I realized that she never woke up before that! She stayed dry for about 11 hours. The trade off was that she woke up at 6:45 a.m. (on a day we can sleep in!) and wouldn’t go back to sleep. But we’ll take it! I won’t complain too much about the nights because I know soon she’ll learn how to stay dry and sleep through the night again.
Yesterday we went to the zoo with Grandma and Grandpa. We had several false alarms. I think she was trying to hold it as long as she could, but then she finally went (once at the zoo and once at lunch on the way home). Yesterday was the big test to see what she would do being away from home for such a long time. Her actions and maturity reassured me that we don’t have to live a hermit lifestyle! When we’re away from home, she will tell me when she has to go to the bathroom, no matter where we are or what we are doing.
In case you can’t tell, I’m so very, very proud of Avery! I’m still a little shocked that this whole thing worked so well. But this was an entire family project. And we succeeded together!
P.S. We’ll go back to our regular blog posts now. I think we’re done talking about potty and poop for awhile! :o)