Potty Training 101

We have been trying to potty train Carter for about 4 months now, but only just a little here and there. Last night Luke and I decided that it was TIME to start really buckling down and getting him to commit to say good-bye to being a baby and moving on to becoming a BIG BOY! So I decided to make a little potty training "manual" for kicks and giggles.
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I CAN SAVE MONEY
Has anyone ever had to buy 4 different sizes of diapers at one time? I know what you are thinking...you didn't realize that my 3 kids AND Luke wear diapers- it is something we don't advertize a lot, but Luke still pees his pants- just kidding. What I would never kid about is that I DO have to buy 4 different sizes of diapers. I have to buy Size 1 for Cienna, Size 5 Generic Brand for Caden during the day and Size 4 Overnight Diapers for Caden during the night because that kid sleeps like 12-14 hrs per night and trust me- he fills those diapers to the brim, AND I have to buy Size 6 diapers for Carter. I have had friends say "Wow- I didn't realize they make diapers that big" Anyway, so my diaper budget each month is VERY EXPENSIVE. So potty training 1 kid will cut back about $45 per month.

BOOKS ABOUT POTTY TRAINING

I enjoy reading to my kids and they seem to have a book for every subject out there. Carter likes the one that has sound and you can hear a toilet flush and if you listen really close, you can hear a little fart as well and then the boy laughs. (Carter loves that part) Here are a few of my favorite reading materials about potty training. :)

ASK FOR ADVICE AND HELP

I immediately called my sister Cathi who has potty trained 4 boys and 1 girl and who is a creative thinker when it comes to pretty much anything. She said "Go to the store and buy a gumball machine and fill it up with gumballs, then put pennies in a clear cup next to it. Everytime Carter goes in the potty, he gets to put a penny in the machine and turn the knob and get a gumball"- I love the idea, so first thing this morning I went to Big Lots (I know- "White Trash"- but I love that place) and got a gumball machine. Carter loves gum, pennies, and putting pennies in things. So this was the best idea for little Boo. My sister is pretty much a genius! :)

"Old School" Ideas Can Work Too

I also used an old school idea that almost everyone uses- that is a sticker chart. There is probably a reason why everyone uses this, hopefully because it works! For Carter I told him that when he fills up the whole card, he gets to go to the store and pick out some new underwear. I know he will choose "CARS" underwear. That kid is obsessed.

Believe That This Will Work!

I have a hard time believing that Carter can actually pull this off- but I have to keep positive. Maybe there is a part of me that doesn't want him to grow up and be out of diapers? Cause diapers are the last thing that keeps him "my baby". Well, like my sister-in-law Texie tells her oldest Garrett- "You will always be my baby".

I had him put his ELMO big boy pants on and wanted to take his pic. He wasn't too happy about it at first-can't you tell?

Being shy about getting his pic taken-

He DID NOT want to lift his shirt up- go figure!
Yes folks, this is his little butt- or should I say "no butt"

Smiles And Easier Days Are Sure To Come

I have to remember that perseverance with this task will definately pay off in the end. Remembering to ask him every 15-20 minutes "Carter, do you have to go potty?" will definately be hard to do, but eventually we will all be happier that our little 3-year old can use the potty like a big boy.