The Joys of Potty Training

              I am in the minority when it comes to potty training. Most mothers dread that inevitable stage when a child is no longer a baby and it’s time to do away with diapers. It is viewed with fear, anxiety, and frustration by many parents. I, however, love when it’s finally time to potty train! This is due mostly to the fact that I despise changing diapers. I think I could live an entire lifetime without changing so much as one poopy diaper and be perfectly fine.

When it came time for my daughter to potty train, I was thrilled. I saw it as a new beginning; one I looked forward to with excitement. I made her a “Potty Chart,” filled with lots of bright colors and stickers, which I proudly hung on the fridge. Each time she used her big girl potty she was rewarded with a few small candies, and a sticker for her chart.

Things in the bathroom department were running as smoothly as could be expected. Little E loved being a “big girl,” and took pride in each sticker she carefully placed on her chart. After the second week with no accidents, I decided it was official. E was potty trained! I gave myself a congratulatory pat on the back, grateful to have overcome that hurdle.

To some degree, I think I may have underestimated the intelligence of a toddler. My sweet little girl has figured out how to use her newfound skills to manipulate both her father and I into getting whatever she wants. Whenever we take her some place she would prefer not to go (like her pediatrician’s office, church, the grocery store, or anywhere she finds dull or boring,) she promptly announces she needs to use the bathroom. However, she doesn’t use such mature vernacular in doing so. Generally speaking, she informs us by yelling, (quite loudly, I might add) “I poop! I poop!” If we don’t respond immediately by whisking her into the nearest restroom, her yelling gets louder and louder, often reaching a fever pitch.

I have made the request several times that she say the word potty in place of poop, but to no avail. She has witnessed the embarrassment in our faces as she hollers about pooping, and understands that such embarrassment quickens our reaction time. Her mischievous grin creeps across her face right before she decides to ruin whatever calm existed in our social situation just prior.

In her most recent episode I saw my adorable, sweet little toddler morph into a scheming, manipulative woman. She was bored during our church service and wanted desperately to get out. She stood up on the pew, grasping the back of the bench with both hands and bellowed “I poop! I poop!” which prompted snickering and giggles from the parishioners behind us. Red-faced, I scooped her up and hurried out of the chapel. Which, of course, accomplished her goal quite efficiently.

Sneaky little girl. I am beginning to wonder if I wouldn’t prefer the poopy diapers after all….

Yes, I am a Stay-At-Home-Mom

A little over two years ago, Jason and I made the difficult decision for me to quit my job and stay home. I say it was a difficult decision, and I mean it. It was the most difficult choice I've ever had to make. I had originally planned on returning to work, but after bringing my sweet Emslee home I found the idea of leaving her with someone else absolutely heartbreaking. The person I had asked to watch her changed her mind, Emslee was extremely colicky/needy, and I felt so hopeless. All my life I had promised myself I wouldn't have a child for someone else to raise him/her.
Needless to say, the choice was made. We knew it meant that we would have to make some changes in our budget, and it wouldn't be easy. In hindsight, I never really expected it to be this hard.
Throughout the course of our 4 and a half married years, Jason's seemingly constant struggle with his health has led to several lost jobs, and months of inability to work. I have questioned our decision for me to be at home countless times. From the outside looking in, our choice may seem silly, unfounded, or downright stupid.
Jason tries to work full-time, attend school full-time, and keep up with all his responsibilities with church, family, and our house. Recently I have received some flack for expecting so much from him, and I have even been blamed for his continuing health problems. I have received the impression that my choice to stay home is the epitome of laziness and selfishness.
 The decision for me to stay home was not based on an ulterior desire to sit on my couch, watch TV, and eat bon-bons. We carefully weighed the pros and the cons, and determined this was and is the best choice for our family. I would be more than happy to share these reasons with anyone that would like to know how we came to this conclusion.
What do I do all day?
For those who are not, have not met, or do not understand the SAHM (stay at home mom), let me just say I work harder now than I ever did at the dental office. The choice to be a SAHM was definitely not one that affords me excessive time for TV watching. My days are filled with a plethora of errands, activities, etc. It is very important to me that Emslee be engaged in learning activities, get time to play outside, and that we read books together. That is only a portion of my day. I cook, I clean, I sew, I craft, I babysit, I run Jason to doctor appointment after doctor appointment, and I also go to school. Easy? No. Worth it? Definitely.
For those naysayers that seem to be determined to believe that Jason's lifestyle is causing his heart problems, let me just make one point. Ever since the end of his most recent job, Jason has had more unplanned, emergency hospital visits than ever when he was working. Coincidence? I think not. Jason enjoys working, and I enjoy being home with my adorable little princess. I could defend my position and list reasons for hours. But the fact of the matter is, I will fight with everything I have in me to be a SAHM for as long as I possibly can.

Like it, love it, hate it; whatever you like. Just don't plan on our decision changing to appease other people's version of ideal. Besides, how many people can honestly say they LOVE their job, and that they are ecstatic to wake up and go to work every morning? I CAN!!