and we are done...

I don't know if you know that I am famous around these parts (which means inside my house and possibly with my immediate family).
What am I famous for, you ask?
I will tell you it isn't for a spotless house and well behaved kids,
it's for potty training.
Thanks to a certain sis-in-law I was tricked, forced, guilted, invited to potty train Reagan (now 8) on tv - no pressure. Here is how it went...
*video isn't showing on google reader - you will have to actually go to my blog - it is worth it*

(the video quality is a little bad because I had to record in with my camera while it was playing on my computer in order to get it on here -and I keep pulling on my shirt because I was pregnant with Wesley and apparently I didn't want anyone to know - annoying, I know!)

Last week we were at it again - on Tuesday Chase got to wear big boy underwear!!
He was not happy.
He wanted nothing to do with it.
He said, "this experiment is not good".
He cried.
He drank lots and lots.
He did it!!!I am no expert, but I would be happy to share what works for me...
Dede's potty training tips:
*have your house clean, your calendar empty and your caffeine handy
* take them to the store for a special potty training trip the night before (buy underwear, juice, etc)
*never let them see you sweat (it is not fun, stay happy and loving - don't get mad)
*every kid is different - adjust (Wesley was potty trained naked because he had no problem peeing in underwear, Cameron was working for a certain prize, etc.) * play, play, play - get rid of the other kids if you can and devote your day to him! We played, read, colored, etc. - NO MOVIES (they can become distracting), after a success we would sometimes watch a short program together (like potty power or elmo goes potty)
* let everyone help (I am pretty sure he watched everyone in the house pee on tues.) Wesley was so excited and wanted to read to him (feel free to kick "helping" siblings out and lock the door if losing focus)* have a reward (we don't always keep candy hearts on top of the toilet, but even the older boys think they deserve one when they go potty now!)
* push the liquids
* have them clean up their own messes
* one thing I did with Chase that I didn't do with the other boys was watch "potty shows" to get him use to the idea before hand (he was afraid to sit on the toilet, fully dressed, with the seat down)!
* even though it only takes a day (or so) to get the concept, plan on staying home and watching them like a hawk all week (it takes awhile for them to tell you when they have to go!)
* it isn't always better having them potty trained - sometimes it is harder - if you are planning on going on a trip you might want to wait - find a good time for both of you!
* wait for signs to start (telling you when they go in their diaper, staying somewhat dry at night, etc.) I have started all of my kids at 2 1/2 (my personal theory is if you wait to long, they can out smart you!!).
* know that it is worth the work, not only because you can put them in the playland at Ikea, but because there is nothing cuter than a toddler running around in his undies!!I am not trying to brag (although, I am totally celebrating) and I know I owe a lot of my success to my 4 boys, but these are the things that work for me and if it can help you out a little, I would be thrilled!
...and NO, I will not potty train your kid - I will however, sign autographs!