Starting Sunday we went diaper-free. We did a 3-day potty bootcamp, and while it’s not perfect, I think we can say our boys are potty trained. The first two days were a mess. But by day three they both just got it and it’s been pretty consistent since then. We even went out to dinner tonight and didn’t have any incidents. (Well, potty incidents, Justin did accidentally knock an empty plate onto the floor.)
Day 1: We loaded them up with as much fluid as they could drink. Joshua chugged down 5 cups of milk and juice before Jeff was even up that morning. Justin was a little more conservative, but was still very hydrated. We also got out the trusty hand-held carpet shampooer which excelled at its original purpose, cleaning up after the dog, and was super handy for this. (The carpets in the house still need a deep cleaning, but that will wait a little longer.)
The first part of the morning was one accident after another, generally nowhere close to the bathroom. By mid-morning, Joshua made one successful potty accomplishment, followed by cheers and applause and a single M&M reward. That is when he really got into it. He tried really hard and was completely gaming the system for the M&Ms. He was obviously in it for the candy.
We cranked up the heat in the house since they were running around without pants. We did about 3 loads of laundry, even though they were only wearing shirts and underwear. We put them down for naps and bed with only their new underwear, and they woke up soaked. The first night, after his second pajama change, Justin was literally begging me for diapers, “Mommy, please my have nighttime diaper??” over and over. It broke my heart, but we stuck with it.
(Two Hats. No Pants. You saw it here first. )
Day 2: Daddy was solo in the morning while I had my quilting class, and the three boys enjoyed a lot of success. While I was out, I picked up a supplemental supply of superhero underwear, since the 25 or so pairs we had were just not cutting it. After nap time we had some regressions, a lot more accidents and some resistance. I was starting to think the 3-day thing was not going to happen.
Day 3: While they both woke up soaked, and had been through a couple pajama changes in the night, the morning started off strong and by lunch time we had only had ONE accident between the two of them. They were potty-going machines all day, it really had clicked. When Daddy got home from work he converted the cribs to big-boy toddler beds (again.) The extra freedom has made nap time sort of a nightmare, but the boys are doing awesome at night. Eventually we hope they will stay in their beds and can have free access to the bathroom. Currently they are a little too into flushing, unrolling toilet paper, playing in the tub to really let them just hang out there unattended in the semi-dark.
So here we are, day five. Justin woke up completely dry this morning, he got up and immediately used the potty. Nap times have been about 50/50 with one or the other staying dry. (When they actually nap. Yesterday they did not. AT ALL.) While the training method we used says no diapers or pull-ups, even at night or nap, after the third night when poor Joshua was soaked, armpits to ankles, I broke down and used the cloth training pants we got from the company that made our cloth diapers. That gives a little extra umph in case of accidents at night.
And the part I didn’t expect? I packed up all our cloth diapers yesterday and it made me really very sad. My little boys aren’t wearing diapers anymore. Or sleeping in cribs. And our two-plus-years of trusty, reliable and adorable diapers are all packed away.
Bye-bye awesome diapers. You’ve served us well. But BIG Congrats to my BIG BOYS on this amazing accomplishment. I am such a proud Mommy.
