Potty Party (yes, you read it right)

I am not a reader by nature. Never have been. But last night I read 100 pages of a book during which Tyler was awake for 70 pages of it. He takes long baths :-) I still have 100 pages to go.

The name of the book (and you have to promise not to laugh) is: Potty Train your Child in Just One Day. You're laughing, aren't you?

Hear me out though. I needed to get Tyler a new potty seat because the one we have is not built very well for eh...his manhood. So, as I was searching for one, I came across this book. I'm not one for gimmicks like this, but I did read a BUNCH of reviews on it and was, yes, suckered into buying it. I also discovered that the author has been on Good Morning America discussing her book. If anything, I figured it would give me some ideas. I work full time, so I found it an easy read because it recognized that "a mere 13 percent of America's families fit the 1950s model of husband as breadwinner and wife as homemaker. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 60 percent of all marriages, 45 percent of the working population, are dual-career marriages. And nearly two-thirds of America's children attend some sort of out-of-home care on a regular basis. " Therefore, finding time to potty train is really hard and pretty much needs to happen over a weekend.

The premise of the book is this: demonstrate with a doll (or stuffed animal) and have a potty party

Very funny, right? Well, let's break it down. Tyler, like many kids his age, loves parties. He loves gifts, and he loves celebrating with games and food. So, the author explores what real motivation kids have to go against what is so comfortable with them (i.e. diapers). Tyler has no real motivation to stop doing what he's doing, yet we fully know he's capable. And like many kids, they learn better by watching than listening. By demonstrating and actually teaching a stuffed animal to potty train, they are actually learning themselves.

"Kids love parties. In Toddler-Speak, a party means fun, games, cake, candy, presents, and prizes. For a two- or three-year-old, it doesn't get much better than that. In Mom-Speak, a party can mean a fun way to motivate your child to learn a new behavior -- in this case using the toilet "

The author, Teri Crane, wrote the book based off real life experience. She's not a doctor by any means. More importantly, she's a mommy. Her son was going to be held back from preschool if he didn't get potty trained by age 3, so she researched everything, talked to everyone she could, until she could figure out a way to motivate her son.

PART ONE
Give your child a new doll (preferably one that "wets") and the three of you have a party. While playing games, reading books, and watching potty-training videos, you teach the doll how to use the potty. Your child learns about the potty and how to use it by helping you teach his or her doll.

Ok, I'm pretty sure Josh will just DIE if I go out and buy a doll. Even a boy one. So, that is not happening. However, we have plenty of stuffed animals and with the help of a creative mommy mind and lemonade in a squirt bottle, I'm sure I can figure out how to make it pee and poop!!

PART TWO
The theme party continues, but now the focus shifts to your child using the potty. Plenty of fun and rewards are built into this part of the party so that your child wants to use the potty and feels good about his or her success.

PART THREE
To celebrate your child's success, the party expands to include Dad, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and other close relations. Everyone congratulates your child for potty training his or her doll and for using the potty.

Don't worry. You will likely not be invited to the potty party but you may get a call :-)

So, yes I'm having a potty party. I mean who doesn't like parties? This one just happens to involve bodily functions. If I'm going to potty train, I require fun! I'm totally decorating our bathroom! And, I'm totally making treats! The second half of her book gives ideas for the party. Yes, you can make fun of me but not to my face.

Our weekends are full until through Easter, so the weekend of April 18 is the glorious party. I will likely not email or call anyone that weekend, partly because I'll be busy with Tyler but mainly because I know you will all make fun of me :-)