Adventures of Super Henry!

I can kinda see it. 

If I squint real hard I can almost see the light at the end of the pee-pee tunnel.  Yesterday Henry entered POTTY TRAINING BOOT CAMP, and so far it's been urinatingly difficult.  Parenthood does not come replete with instructions or manual.  Heck! Parenthood doesn't even come with an operator's number to dial when needed.  If it did, I'm sure I'd be on hold for the next available operator to tell me what to do right now.

There are many moments in my journey as an E.M. (Evolving Mama) when advice was needed and guidance longed for.  Potty training is one such moment.  I've read through several potty training books for the golden answer, and I've picked the brains of fellow mothers.   When it comes down to it, though, I have found that oftentimes I must follow my instincts no matter how blind I feel.  Each child is different, I know, and right now Henry and I are feeling our way through, trying to find a method that works best.

After a crappy day yesterday (the score was 5 accidents, 0 successes), I felt down about Henry's lack of progress.  I tried to remain optimistic and enthusiastic, but I could tell that Henry was getting frustrated as well.  This morning I felt revived and I sent Hank and the girls to my parents' for the day so that Henry would have no distractions from either of his sisters.  It would be just Henry, me, and many, many juice boxes.

Here's how our schedule went today:
9:35 a.m. - Accident in the kitchen

10:00 a.m. - We drink juice.  I bring out Alison's doll that wets itself.  We feed her, take her to the potty.  Henry is AMAZED and intruigued by "Dolly," and he praises her by giving her treats and juice.  He tells her, "Good job, Dolly.  You're a big girl!"

10:30 a.m. - Juice in cup.  Juice in a box.  Juice here.  There. Everywhere.  We play "cheers!" by clinking our juice boxes together and taking long swigs.  I feel confident that we're going to succeed today.  I just know it.  Henry is pumped full of liquids.  He has to pee in the potty soon, right?  (BTW, we run to the potty every ten minutes and wait.  And wait.  And wait.  It's almost like watching paint dry).

10:35 a.m. - I go pee.  Henry sits on the potty.  Nada.

11:30 a.m. -
Mama:  "Henry I'm so proud of you.  You're a big----"
Henry:  "---Pee pee, Mama!  Pee pee!" (pee is dripping down Henry's legs)

We clean up, and Henry puts on clean underwear.

11:40 a.m. - (yes folks, that's TEN MINUTES LATER)
Mama:  "Okay Henry, when you feel the ---- "
Henry:  "----Mama.....pee pee.  I go pee pee....."

Lather.  Rinse. And yes, repeat.

11:50 a.m.:  (Unbelievable, I know.  A mere ten minutes later)
Mama:  (feeling defeated, but trying to remain upbeat and enthusiastic) "Okay Henry, who do you want to call when--"

drip.....drip...drip (I look down to see a puddle of pee under Henry's chair).

At this point I feel so utterly defeated.   Henry's frustration grows and he asks me, "Am I a bad boy Mama?"  My heart breaks, and I gingerly reply, "No Henry.  You're not a bad boy.  You just need to practice going pee pee in the potty."  I am on the verge of tears.  I hug my son. 

After lunch, Henry and I take a nap.  Henry wakes up dry!  Yay Henry!

Around 5:45 p.m. we visit our old porcelain pal.  Henry sits and waits.  And suddenly I see it!  That long awaited thin stream of pee!  I jump up and squeal with happiness!  Henry's face brightens into a huge smile.  We hug and dance and laugh!  I give Henry his prize (a bottle of bubbles).  He is so proud. I am so proud.  Henry is a super hero. 

"I'm a big boy, Mama!  I wear underwear just like Daddy!" Henry says over and over.

Henry and I run outside to blow bubbles, and we giggle as we watch them float high into the air like tiny o's before disappearing into nothing.

Today has been one of the longest, most trying days of my life.  And yet twenty years from now when I reflect on Henry's childhood, this day will be one of the happiest. The happiest. I just know it.

********
Read Hank's story about Alison's potty training HERE.

Comments

[hannah]

oh leslie! i feel your pain, eliot and i had many days like that. it just breaks your heart when they think they are doing something wrong. yay for henry being a big boy!

[Yvonne]

Your kids make me laugh. I'm telling anecdotes about them to complete strangers. I'm so proud of Henry and I so love that Superman costume on him. I feel like sending him some encouragement :o)

[Jessica]

Yeah Henry! I am so not ready for that stage!

[kelly]

Oy! We're thinking we're going to start trying with Brynne in mid-August... can't say I'm really looking forward to it! Keep me updated on your techniques - I'm sure I'll need all the help I can get!

[Nicole Seitler]

I recently went through the same thing with my daughter two weeks ago. We had great success by switching over to all cloth, all the time and lots of chocolate (she's mommy's girl). ;)

I had at least three AWFUL days in a row like you just detailed. I wanted to give up. But I resolved to hang in there and a few days later, I heard the sweetest words: "Mommy, I have to go potty!" (something she never said before). Ah! The sweet, sweet success. :D

[kathleen]

awww.... Yay henry!
He reminds me so much of my little nephew Nickie, who always wore capes and costumes at that age! Everything he picked up had sword potential too...even the little plastic cardboard rolls that come from the paper towels. He'd stick them in the elastic of his pants ready to destroy evil...he was hilarious!

[Val]

I feel your pain. Thank God, I didn't have to go through much effort. His daycare took care of that for me. Now if I could only get him to lift the seat.

[Katey Nicosia]

So cute! Yay for tee tee in the potty.

[Hank]

Sweetie -- one problem with the picture. YOU should be the one wearing the cape. You truly are Wonder Woman.

[justJENN]

Yay Henry!

I am going to start potty training soon and I am definitely not as patient at you. Good Lord.

[sarah]

What a lovely story, and what a sweet boy/super hero! I think 'urinatingly difficult' is the funniest thing I have ever heard/read. Potty training stories are so great!

[Giao]

Aww! That is such a precious story. I am utterly amazed with the whole concept of potty training kids. I think you're a wonder. And so is your little Superman.

[jes]

HURRAY HENRY!!! You go little guy!

[myra]

Yeah Super Henry! Way to go! I vividly remember going through potty training with my son not so long ago. We spent an entire Saturday in his room with the potty and lots and lots of water and juice.

[Alison]

God you've almost had me in tears at the end there!! I think I'm in denial about potty training - I quite like a babe in nappies....seems so daunting to go through the training bit. but I know I can come back here and read this for comfort!

[Joleen]

What a trying but successful day! :) Yay for Henry!

[joy madison]

oh man!!!! Jaden took SOOOOO long to potty train. He is finally fully trained...night and day. Its such a relief. Good luck!