Potty Training FOR THE LAST TIME

Potty training is a bit like labor. You're uncomfortable in the current setting and really want the benefits that come from being on the other side of the process, but you dread the actual task of going through the work to get to the other side. 

Boeing gives its employees the entire week between Christmas and New Year's off, so that seemed like a perfect opportunity to go through potty training Nell.

The first day we gave her lots of water and gatorade, read potty books, watched potty videos, and tried putting her on the potty frequently.  By 3pm she'd had one accident and zero successes. We were fairly convinced she was a camel. Every time we put her on the toilet, she'd hop off and say "I'm done!"

With my other kids, we would set a timer and let them try going to the bathroom at regular intervals. That strategy did not work with Nellie. We learned pretty quickly that potty training was going to have to be on her terms. She had a few accidents, but soon was telling us "I need to pee on the potty!"

It took longer for her to try pooping. She held it in for a few days and was pretty scared to go on the toilet. Once she had her first pooping success, however, she never looked back.
She definitely appreciated getting "neminems" and fruit snacks after her successes. Her siblings had more concerns. "Did we get treats when we were learning how to go potty?" "I just went pee, can I get an M&M too?" "Mom, how are you going to stop her from expecting a treat every time she goes potty?!" 

A week after we first started potty training, our self appointed "Lego Princess" was accident free and very reliable. She still using needing to go to the bathroom as a convenient excuse to get out of bed at bedtime, but that's getting better. The first week or two, she'd insist she needed "to pee in the potty" four or five times after we put her to bed. Argh!

What was frustrating the first few days (her insistence on only going on her own terms), is super helpful now. I don't have to worry about how long it's been since she's last gone to the bathroom. I know she'll let me know if and when she needs to go. Plus, now she'll agree to go before we leave the house. She's a super star.

And the best part? We don't have to potty train any more children!!!! Hurrah!