Sorry, but I have a feeling that this blog is about to take a downwards spiral into the porcelain world of toilet humour. I'm not about to join Ade and Rik in the sphere of poo jokes and fluff gags, but we are venturing firmly into the world of potty training. It happens to us all so don't grimace! You had to do it once (unless you're 37 and still wearing nappies) and if you've got children then it has either happened or is going to happen to them too.
A few months ago I decided that it was time to get down the potty that has been stored in the attic for the past year. It's a Fisher Price Throne potty that my sister passed onto me, no don't worry it wasn't hers; her children used it. It does mean that it's seven years old but then it's moulded plastic so is going to be fine for the next 500 years really isn't it? This potty has a removable tray for easy cleaning and a 'red-eye' beam which triggers a cheer when something breaks it. Upon my sister's recommendations, it doesn't have batteries in at the moment otherwise he might follow his cousin and stick his hand in the potty (and urine or worse) to hear the cheer.
I explained once to The Boy that you sit on it to do a wee-wee and he had a little practise getting on and off it in the kitchen (fully-clothed). We then took him upstairs to bed and he had his first 'go' on it. He performed! We clapped and cheered him feeling immensely proud. Then we did the recommended thing of getting him to wave goodbye to it down the loo, flush, wash hands etc. At which point he went back on it and went again. In total he went five times! FIVE! On his first go! Wahay The Boy!
We've been taking it really slowly with him, knowing how important potty-training is and not wanting to get it wrong. For the time being we put him on the potty when we change his nappy and he always, always performs. Sometimes he's even attempted more than just a number one, thank God hubby dealt with that one! However I'm beginning to think that the time has come to progress onto it properly, but I'm hoping to put it off until the summer holidays for various reasons; he's my child and I don't want my mum doing this with him, I need a good week or two (or six) to devote to this important procedure, and it's easier in the summer because of drying clothes. On my part, it's also to deal with nappies on holidays than a recently trained toddler. Lazy, I know.
What makes me think that I'm being unfair in making him wait is this:
On Wednesday evening, he went upstairs to get ready for bed. He took his trousers and body off, pulled his nappy down, put it in the bin, sat on the potty, did a wee and then went and washed his hands. All by himself!
We stood open-mouthed! When did my baby get to be so grown-up?
A few weeks ago, I saw that the toy giant that is otherwise known as Toys R Us, were running a competition to find new Toyologists. For those in the know you will understand how coveted a role this is. For those who are wondering if I've come over all Beatty ("he's got an 'ology!" Showing my age? Never mind) then I shall explain. A toyologist is an individual or family who are selected specifically by Toys R Us to receive and review several boxes of toys, feedback to the company, and provide advice to other families about which toys are good to play with, and those to avoid. It is an amazing opportunity.
