because it is ALWAYS better to be prepared

I am on day three of potty training my son. I still can't believe my tiny baby will (hopefully) some day soon be without nappies. It's such a huge milestone. There are so many stresses, thoughts and emotions concerned with this process. Here are some of the truths I have learned. 
  • Words like “potty”, “wee”, “toilet”, “willy” (sorry) and “treat” get used so often that you start to mix them up. I've told my son that if he “does a treat” I'll get him a “potty”. The words have officially lost meaning I'm saying them so often. 
  • You forget that you, occasionally, will require the toilet too. I'm focusing so much on a little person's toilet situation that I'm forgetting to go myself.
  • The cabin fever is 100% the worst thing of all. Toilet training age is usually the very age that requires a lot of outdoor time and expelling crazy toddler energy. 3-4 days at home is what is needed and it is the hardest part of the whole experience.
  • There is a lot of... wee. Like a LOT. We've had to take the covers off our sofa to wash them and I'm on my fourth load of clothes washing today yet my laundry basket is still bursting at the seems.
  • Disinfectant wipes will be your best friend so stock up. It allows for a quick clean before you can properly wash the floors and surfaces when they eventually go to bed.
  • You start to panic that the next 15 years of your child's life will involve a chocolate treat every time they use the loo.
  • It's a bit sad. The end of an era. It's like the door on “baby” is closing. So many mixed emotions but it's definitely a milestone that came around too quickly.
  • The GUILT is unreal. Guilt because perhaps (like me) you thought you had more patience than you do. Guilt for giving out to them when they have an accident. Guilt for missing an indicator that they needed to go. Guilt for too many treats. Guilt guilt guilt. 
Written by Tracey, mummy blogger and staff writer at www.familyfriendlyhq.ie.
Check out her own blog at www.loveofliving.ie

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