Potty Training Prep

Yes, I did say prep. In other words preparing Ethan for the inevitable end to diapers. Just the mention of such a world changing event to him, instantly brings him either to tears, or defiance. Very frustrating. So, we spoke to the behaviourist that he's been seeing on Saturdays during his Social and Communication class.

We've been bringing him to this class for the past three weekends, and we have three more to attend. Then, since it seems to be going well...they have 4-5 kids in the group...we will have a break in between and start up again with another 6 week session. The "class" is set up as a sort of playdate with planned activities and lots of room to "teach" the kids how to be a part of a peer group...eg: turn taking, preventing/resolving conflicts appropriately, recognizing and expressing feelings, making friends, and school/community routines.

Ethan LOVES it, and talks about his new friends most of the week.

So, I spoke with Linda, a behaviour specialist, after his class this past Saturday to pick her brain about suggestions, tips, advice, whatever she could share, to help us with potty training Ethan. Mike plans on taking the week off at the end of February to help in this endeavor, because we decided that if we are potty training Ethan we might as well work on Josh too. Especially since Josh is showing signs of interest...telling me he has a dirty diaper, "using" the kid potty when he goes into the bathroom...all stuff Ethan never, and still doesn't, do.

The preparation part? Well, we are "training" Ethan to recognize his need to use the potty. So, every time he feels the need to go, he has to go into the bathroom to do it...in his diaper. He's done a great job over the past two days, except for when he's playing upstairs. We only have one bathroom and it's on the first floor. He doesn't seem to notice when he has to urinate yet, so we're hoping the whole "run around naked except for your underwear" during the last week of Feb. will help with that. We will only put a pull up on at bedtime, and a diaper on around 6ish at night for him to do a BM in if he refuses to do so on the toilet. She wants us to deny him that "out" for a BM during the day, in the hope that he will stop fighting it, and use the toilet instead of holding out until nightime. Unfortunately, due to the laxative that Ethan is still on, he will do a BM several times a day, with no regulation. We have been advised not to take him off of the laxative however, until he is potty trained to prevent any constipation issues with the whole power struggle end of potty training. (See why I need Mike around for that week?)

It has been tough to do mostly because there may be an issue with his ability to "sense" the need to go in time. Linda suggested we try her method for a week or so, and at that point we should be able to tell whether it's sensory or behaviour. In the meantime, Mike and I get to prepare ourselves for what we hope will be a rewarding week. I'll be happy to get even one out of diapers. The savings in the cost of diapers alone would be a silver lining!!

p.s. if you notice any spelling errors I'm sorry, the blogger spellcheck isn't working today!!