Potty Training Jack

Sometimes the changes in our household can be abrupt.  We knew in theory that we would need to potty train Jack in the next couple of months, especially since he's starting preschool in the Fall.  What we weren't expecting was for Jack to decide he had a problem with wearing his diaper.  No details are necessary, but we got pretty tired of cleaning up after him, and it quickly became obvious that we needed to start potty training. 

Jack is a strong willed kid, and John and I weren't quite sure what to expect.  We certainly didn't anticipate his reaction to potty training!  He just refused to go.  After the first couple of accidents he figured out what we wanted, and whether it was because he was intimidated or scared or just hadn't figured out his little body yet, the kiddo held everything in.  The training method we're using is an intensive one and John and I were at our wits end by the end of the first day.  We were amazed at the bladder control this kid has - he was easily going 5-6 hours without peeing!  No matter how many times we'd tell him to let us know when he had to go potty, took him to the bathroom, offered him rewards and treats, and tried our best, he just would not go.  The poor kid was miserable!  John and I weren't particularly thrilled either.

The bright side is that now, on Day 5, we finally had a breakthrough: Jack realized that if he pees in the potty he gets a peanut butter M & M.  We were already giving them as rewards, but he finally made the connection between his action and the treat.  Thank goodness.  We're not 100% potty trained, but things are looking up!  And as everyone says, it's not like he's going to college still in diapers.