As I promised I would, I have really backed down from prompting Amber to go potty. And for about a week, she was perfectly content with filling up her little diapers and running around "fully loaded."
But now, perhaps my patience is paying off?? She's started requesting to use the potty more regularly now. Of course, at first she just requested it at convenient times for her--two seconds before you put her down for a nap and two seconds before you put her down for bed. Nothing like procrastination as a motivator...
I'm not convinced enough to consider this a "full return" to potty training. She still runs away when you go to change a #2 diaper, which is probably not a good sign.
To be continued yet again...
Monday, September 13, 2010
Huggies Little BOOvers
I swore once that I'd never buy Huggies diapers again.
Oh... but the lure of multiple coupons and dollar signs proved too strong for me and I caved. I mean, hey, 5 bucks is 5 bucks. Surely we could just give them one more try.
WRONG.
These are awful and I can't believe ANYONE would buy them. One time Audrey had one on for UNDER an hour--I had changed her just before loading up to head to Jena and right after. In that short time, the guts of the diaper were stuck all over her little butt--those little gel capsule thingys that are supposed to stay BENEATH the outermost layers and soak up all the fun stuff.
Perhaps this is WHY they had so many coupons for these suckers...
And WHY do I continually go against what I swore I would never do again?? (see blog on Sears Portrait Studio). I should realize that if I made a statement as strong as swearing off something FOREVER, then it was with good reason.
You've had your second chance, Huggies. You and Sears Portait Studio can kiss Audrey's little gel-capsuled butt.
Oh... but the lure of multiple coupons and dollar signs proved too strong for me and I caved. I mean, hey, 5 bucks is 5 bucks. Surely we could just give them one more try.
WRONG.
These are awful and I can't believe ANYONE would buy them. One time Audrey had one on for UNDER an hour--I had changed her just before loading up to head to Jena and right after. In that short time, the guts of the diaper were stuck all over her little butt--those little gel capsule thingys that are supposed to stay BENEATH the outermost layers and soak up all the fun stuff.
Perhaps this is WHY they had so many coupons for these suckers...
And WHY do I continually go against what I swore I would never do again?? (see blog on Sears Portrait Studio). I should realize that if I made a statement as strong as swearing off something FOREVER, then it was with good reason.
You've had your second chance, Huggies. You and Sears Portait Studio can kiss Audrey's little gel-capsuled butt.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Adventures in Potty Training--to be continued
I'm sad to say that our little tryst down Potty Trained Lane has now come to a stop. At least, temporarily... Supposedly no kid ever goes to their senior prom wearing a diaper. Of course, this child is particularly bull-headed, so she may wind up sporting Pampers under her gown.
All of a sudden, Amber just decided she wasn't doing it anymore. She would cry when you put her on the potty. She started going in her pull-up and making no attempt to stop herself to make it to the bathroom. And, she started "holding it in" for hours on end, and that's what really made me decide to back off.
Oh, but that was a trying decision... the child could do it IF she wanted to. Perfectly capable. And perfectly stubborn.
I read online that kids will sometimes do this as a means of exerting control over something in their lives. She's just started school this week and we have really been riding her behind about her behavior lately, so it sounds like this could be a likely cause for her sudden lack of interest. And you KNOW I wasn't slacking off on the M&Ms, but even they couldn't work their chocolately magic on this beast.
But on the upside--I don't have to worry about trying to get her to potty before we leave for school (as she is a grumpy, uncooperative little imp in the morning.) Also, I'm hoping we can get some of her other "new" little behaviors in check--biting, throwing, hitting, pushing--all the pleasantries. She really is a good kid majority of the time--but what a temper!!!!
Now, if I'm still changing a diaper this time next year, we'll be going a different route... but I'm still holding out that one morning she'll just decide she wants to do it, and that will be that. In typical Amber Claire fashion, she'll be doing it when SHE wants to do it and on no one else's timetable!
All of a sudden, Amber just decided she wasn't doing it anymore. She would cry when you put her on the potty. She started going in her pull-up and making no attempt to stop herself to make it to the bathroom. And, she started "holding it in" for hours on end, and that's what really made me decide to back off.
Oh, but that was a trying decision... the child could do it IF she wanted to. Perfectly capable. And perfectly stubborn.
I read online that kids will sometimes do this as a means of exerting control over something in their lives. She's just started school this week and we have really been riding her behind about her behavior lately, so it sounds like this could be a likely cause for her sudden lack of interest. And you KNOW I wasn't slacking off on the M&Ms, but even they couldn't work their chocolately magic on this beast.
But on the upside--I don't have to worry about trying to get her to potty before we leave for school (as she is a grumpy, uncooperative little imp in the morning.) Also, I'm hoping we can get some of her other "new" little behaviors in check--biting, throwing, hitting, pushing--all the pleasantries. She really is a good kid majority of the time--but what a temper!!!!
Now, if I'm still changing a diaper this time next year, we'll be going a different route... but I'm still holding out that one morning she'll just decide she wants to do it, and that will be that. In typical Amber Claire fashion, she'll be doing it when SHE wants to do it and on no one else's timetable!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Adventures in Potty Training Part Two
In the last few weeks, we're really made a lot of headway on the potty training front. I can say with about 95% confidence that we are #1 trained, and that went pretty smoothly. The only problem we sometimes run into here is that my brick-headed child will sometimes refuse to go for long stretches of time when she's either "too busy" or too crabby to stop to take care of business. She doesn't go in the pullup, though... she just won't go. Thankfully, even that has gotten better recently.
However, we're still waiting to get #2 on board... I can't wait to be able to use the big girl panties and ditch the pullups. I tried to force the issue, but after having to clean a few pairs of the panties, you can forget that. Pullups it is...
And for some reason, Amber got stuck on "5 M&Ms" as the reward. They all need to be counted out in her hand and she shoves them all in her mouth at once like a shot of tequila. And don't you dare give her anything other than 5... even if you're trying to give her MORE, she gets mad and holds to her 5. Five sounds good to me--NOOOO problem!
However, we're still waiting to get #2 on board... I can't wait to be able to use the big girl panties and ditch the pullups. I tried to force the issue, but after having to clean a few pairs of the panties, you can forget that. Pullups it is...
And for some reason, Amber got stuck on "5 M&Ms" as the reward. They all need to be counted out in her hand and she shoves them all in her mouth at once like a shot of tequila. And don't you dare give her anything other than 5... even if you're trying to give her MORE, she gets mad and holds to her 5. Five sounds good to me--NOOOO problem!
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Amber
After reading an article written by a friend, I was able to identify the perfect description of my Amber's seemingly split personality--Jekyll and Hyde. Even when she was really young, I used to jokingly call her my "bipolar baby," as she seemed to have periods of being fun, loving and obedient which would quickly crash down into tantrums, screaming and misbehavior.
I swear sometimes it's as if something possesses her whenever we go out into public. And I'm sure people think "Oh SURE she only acts like this in public. I bet that kid's a real troll at home..." But honestly, she seems to do a 180 whenever we go somewhere!
Take this morning for instance... she woke up unusually early, but was in a surprisingly good mood. She actually ran up to me and hugged me saying "I love you, mama!" when I opened up her bedroom door. She was pleasant and polite all morning, passing out the "thank you, mama"s and "excuse me"s in a sweet little voice... I could have just eaten her up!
But THEN I put her in the car, and the transformation began. By the time we'd reached the splash pad, she was in full-on scream mode. Over the course of that late morning, she had innumerable screaming fits, pushed a few kids, kept taking her bathing suit off, and ran away from me twice. The second time around, she actually ran OUT of the park into the parking lot and one of the other moms had to chase her down because I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper. Oh, if ever there was a time I was ready to drop her off at an orphanage...
So we loaded her back up in the car and headed home, and she transformed again--sweet and loving Amber was back. She even stayed calm when Audrey climbed into her bed and started playing with her stuff--a rarity around here.
I just don't understand it... but I can almost guarantee that leaving the house means arriving at our destination in meltdown mode. I know these first few weeks of 2-day preschool are going to probably be rough--particularly on her teacher. But I'm hoping it will help her to be able to "go with the flow" a little better and be less dependent on me!
I swear sometimes it's as if something possesses her whenever we go out into public. And I'm sure people think "Oh SURE she only acts like this in public. I bet that kid's a real troll at home..." But honestly, she seems to do a 180 whenever we go somewhere!
Take this morning for instance... she woke up unusually early, but was in a surprisingly good mood. She actually ran up to me and hugged me saying "I love you, mama!" when I opened up her bedroom door. She was pleasant and polite all morning, passing out the "thank you, mama"s and "excuse me"s in a sweet little voice... I could have just eaten her up!
But THEN I put her in the car, and the transformation began. By the time we'd reached the splash pad, she was in full-on scream mode. Over the course of that late morning, she had innumerable screaming fits, pushed a few kids, kept taking her bathing suit off, and ran away from me twice. The second time around, she actually ran OUT of the park into the parking lot and one of the other moms had to chase her down because I was up to my elbows in a dirty diaper. Oh, if ever there was a time I was ready to drop her off at an orphanage...
So we loaded her back up in the car and headed home, and she transformed again--sweet and loving Amber was back. She even stayed calm when Audrey climbed into her bed and started playing with her stuff--a rarity around here.
I just don't understand it... but I can almost guarantee that leaving the house means arriving at our destination in meltdown mode. I know these first few weeks of 2-day preschool are going to probably be rough--particularly on her teacher. But I'm hoping it will help her to be able to "go with the flow" a little better and be less dependent on me!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Adventures in Potty Training Part One
In the last week I've decided to make a valiant attempt at potty training Amber Claire. Notice I've entitled this entry "Part 1." This ensures that there will be a 2nd part, and very likely many more with this brick-headed child.
I kept waiting to start with the potty till she showed all those infamous "signs" I read about on the internet. She showed most of them quite some time ago, but that first attempt was a total flop. After about 2 days, when I'd ask if she needed to go, she'd slam the lid down on the potty and scream "NOOOOO" at the top of her lungs.
And so we begin again. However, I'm not sure who's really getting potty trained here--me or her. I'm the one who keeps popping up every so often to put her little fanny on the pot, and she's done well (I'll spare details). BUT, she has yet to tell me on her OWN that she needs to go BEFOREHAND. Am I dreaming to think she might just walk up and say "I need to go" or better yet, just go in there herself?? Maybe if I wait till she's 13...
You can't just ASK her if she needs to go--according to her, she never has to go. But my favorite part might be what she does when you ask--She holds up her fingers and says "In 3 minutes, mom." And when I ask again 3 minutes later, she gives me the fingers again.
She's very big into the number 3 right now, and counting in particular. But she hasn't yet grasped the concept of higher numbers meaning MORE of something--like that 10 apples are way more than 2. She just LIKES certain numbers better than others. I know this will be short-lived, but I can enjoy it for the time being.
ME: Amber, what a good girl for going on the potty! Would you like 5 mini-M&Ms? (My bribe of choice)
AMBER: No, mom. THREE! (with big smile on her face.)
ME: OK, then. If you insist! (With even bigger smile on my face)
Poor kid! I know this will be short-lived, but I can enjoy it for the time being.
I kept waiting to start with the potty till she showed all those infamous "signs" I read about on the internet. She showed most of them quite some time ago, but that first attempt was a total flop. After about 2 days, when I'd ask if she needed to go, she'd slam the lid down on the potty and scream "NOOOOO" at the top of her lungs.
And so we begin again. However, I'm not sure who's really getting potty trained here--me or her. I'm the one who keeps popping up every so often to put her little fanny on the pot, and she's done well (I'll spare details). BUT, she has yet to tell me on her OWN that she needs to go BEFOREHAND. Am I dreaming to think she might just walk up and say "I need to go" or better yet, just go in there herself?? Maybe if I wait till she's 13...
You can't just ASK her if she needs to go--according to her, she never has to go. But my favorite part might be what she does when you ask--She holds up her fingers and says "In 3 minutes, mom." And when I ask again 3 minutes later, she gives me the fingers again.
She's very big into the number 3 right now, and counting in particular. But she hasn't yet grasped the concept of higher numbers meaning MORE of something--like that 10 apples are way more than 2. She just LIKES certain numbers better than others. I know this will be short-lived, but I can enjoy it for the time being.
ME: Amber, what a good girl for going on the potty! Would you like 5 mini-M&Ms? (My bribe of choice)
AMBER: No, mom. THREE! (with big smile on her face.)
ME: OK, then. If you insist! (With even bigger smile on my face)
Poor kid! I know this will be short-lived, but I can enjoy it for the time being.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Excuses, excuses
It amazes me time and again how these little creatures (my children) are seemingly born with the ability to manipulate. I sure hope that's the case, anyway--...I really they aren't picking up on something they see me doing, because I never thought of myself as manipulative.. but I digress..
The majority of Amber's manipulation tactics are centered around her not wanting to sleep. We tried not making her nap midday, but that did not work. The child NEEDS a nap to make it through... but she's going down swinging.
She used to use excuses like "I want socks" or "I want juice." There's also a list of stuffed creatures she has to sleep with, and don't you DARE forget one because she will notice and begin screaming for it when you leave the room!!
Now she's really figured out how to get our attention, using excuses such as "My belly hurts" or "I'm so hungry" or "I need a new diaper." She'll also play the super-responsible kid card--"I have to brush my teeth." She never was a fan of tooth brushing before, but if it means putting off bedtime by 2 minutes, it's well worth it!
None of those excuses have really been working out for her, then, so I can't WAIT to see what she'll come up with next!
The majority of Amber's manipulation tactics are centered around her not wanting to sleep. We tried not making her nap midday, but that did not work. The child NEEDS a nap to make it through... but she's going down swinging.
She used to use excuses like "I want socks" or "I want juice." There's also a list of stuffed creatures she has to sleep with, and don't you DARE forget one because she will notice and begin screaming for it when you leave the room!!
Now she's really figured out how to get our attention, using excuses such as "My belly hurts" or "I'm so hungry" or "I need a new diaper." She'll also play the super-responsible kid card--"I have to brush my teeth." She never was a fan of tooth brushing before, but if it means putting off bedtime by 2 minutes, it's well worth it!
None of those excuses have really been working out for her, then, so I can't WAIT to see what she'll come up with next!
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