Potty training success ~ January 22, 2014

Sesame Street is many a parent's savior and for good reason. Educational, a welcome distraction at moments, and it's an hour long. A whole hour of a mental break as a SAHM is like a welcome cocktail. The only downside, Elmo. 

Elmo has never been a favorite of mine, even as a kid he creeped me out, and much to our dismay our daughter has decided that he's better than cheese. Keep in mind she mentioned cheese on her list to Santa but Elmo ranked first. Yeah, that much. So I caved in and bought Nora an Elmo doll for Christmas but I played it smart. It doesn't talk, it's not larger than her, and it only cost me $5 on eBay (plus shipping no less). I upped the ante and even bought an extra one to arrive a month later in case she ruined the first one. The backup Elmo is still in her closet for such event because the first one is starting to smell like a locker room but it's not washable. We'll have to do the sneaky switch while she's sleeping one of these nights. Because it goes to bed with her, watches her eat, and waits for her on the coffee table when she leaves the house. He even accompanies her to the bathroom. Elmo is on house arrest just like he should be.

As much as I hate the sound of Elmo's voice on the show, as much as that laugh haunts me on hard days, we are forever thankful because of one thing. Potty training. Somehow her Elmo doll has become her trusted lovey and instilled enough confidence in her that she has now re-embraced using the potty. It makes sense, I feel inclined to use the toilet every time I see or hear that character so I completely understand.

Potty training has been the vain of our existence for months now and many false starts plagued us with guilt and second guessing. We feared we were failing her and struggled to keep our patience with the many regressions and mounting pressure to avoid having to diaper TWO kids soon enough. Our sanity, finances, and the environment were pleading with us to find new ways to convince her. What we underestimated the power of was peer pressure and Elmo. Her friends were dropping like flies in the battle against the toilet. Showing off their fancy underwear and independence. Nora started to show embarrassment around her friends at playdates and would throw temper tantrums when we needed to change her diaper. Her friends started to cheer her on and encourage her to join them on the potty. The gauntlet was thrown.

With many accidents, many bed changes, outfit changes, rug cleanings, gritting of teeth and cheering, the lure of cute underwear, candy in our weak moments, and Elmo tucked under her arm. Nora is using the potty on her own about 80% of the time. HURRRAY!!!  

        

The end...for now.