Patience Pays Off!

Good Monday morning!

If you haven't noticed, on my sidebar I have a few little notes about areas that I am training the kids. For O, I wanted him to learn to tie his own shoes. For C, he needed to learn to wipe himself (for us, we think wiping oneself is part of the potty training process. Although C has been going potty for a year now with no problems, I admit this time I put it off longer than we did for our oldest. I watched a boy once who was 6 years old and I'll never forget when he went potty and asked me to come in and wipe him (!?!?!). I hope that mom didn't have a yucky surprise when he got home, because I told him that he needed to wipe himself (and I told her when she picked him up -maybe I should have done it for him, but I knew I didn't want anyone doing that to my kids when they were that age. By the way, the boy was fine and not upset by me asking him to do it as I recall.). My oldest son at the time was about 3 years old, and I made the decision then to take the time to show him (and our other children when the time was right) this very important life skill!).

So, one weekend of concentration and patience with the little men, and we are a success! Yes, O is tying his own shoes and C is wiping his own hiney! Good job boys!

Edited to add: I should say too that M has stopped screaming and is sharing wonderfully. Of course sharing is something to always work on and pay attention to (I've been doing this long enough to know that just because it is down today, doesn't mean it won't creep back up as a problem at another time. My kids were born sinners, and of course will always (as in their entire life, just like me!) battle with selfishness. But for now, she's doing beautifully. I was considering to potty train this fall, but she's showing not one area of readiness. Actually, she's made one little progress - up until now, she's been terrified of the potty. As in, if you put her on there, she lets out a bloody scream! Well, the other day, she actually sat on the potty (albeit for 1/2 a second). But she drenches her diaper at night (that was the first sign with the boys that they were ready to start - they would stay dry all night and throughout naps), and could care less if she sits in poop for hours at a time (well, I'm assuming she wouldn't mind - I haven't actually let her sit in poop for hours at a time :O) ) So, I don't think she's ready right now - but kids change daily, and who knows what next week can bring? By the way, who ever said girls are easier to potty train than boys? By this age, the boys had already sat and were successful many times at going potty. Personally, I think the boys were super easy so far in comparison.

Today we are enjoying this WONDERFUL weather! September and October are my favorite months weather-wise (except for the days like last week - it was so humid that we just kept the house shut up and ran the AC). I'll bring the laundry out on the deck to fold as the children play (and I have several loads to do!). It will be most fun!

Hope you too can escape from all the "To-Dos" and enjoy this beautiful day that our Creator has given to us!