For months now, Little Sister has stripped every princess doll in the house in order to put them on the "potty" (which is really an upside down hay trough for Dora's ponies). When playing with the dollhouse, if she isn't taking the twin babies in and out of high chairs, she is putting somebody on the toilet and wiping them with a tiny washcloth.
And poor Ariel hasn't been clothed (except for any diaper Little Sis can find) since she came home with us from Disney World.
Yes, Little Sis is obsessed with all things potty. My theory is that this is the one thing that she can't master (or really even practice) on her own. Her determination with all things mechanical and fine motor blows my mind. She holds her pencil/crayons/markers perfectly, and she has for months. If there is a buckle anywhere near her, she works on it until she conquers it. If there is a container to open, a gadget to turn on, or a piece of doll clothing to figure out, she practices.
Over and over.
It is enough to drive you crazy. And make you proud.
But as much as she wants to wear the Elmo and princess "big girl pants" waiting for her in a drawer on her changing table, she just doesn't get it.
She sits on the potty for a split second, asks for "paper towel," wipes and says, "I'm do-ooone!"
But she has not done anything.
Except go through a TON of big girl pants and towels.
Yesterday, though, she did!
She sat on the potty, looked at a book, and pooped! I was so excited we called Daddy at work and updated my facebook status. I know, I know... TMI. But it was a big breakthrough. She finally got that you do more than just sit on it; you put something in it.
So, I don't know. Just when I thought we needed to give up and wait for a while for her little bladder to mature, she has a small victory.
So I'm asking all of you experienced mommies out there. What do you think? March onward with big girl undies (and lots of towels?) until she gets it? Shelve the idea until she can have more success? What's a Momma to do?
1 comment:
As long as SHE is the one with the interest in practicing using the potty, having ALL the dolls in the house use the potty, and occasionally actually does something IN the potty I - in all my infinite wisdom and experience HA!! - say "stay the course". Don't make a big deal about her using the potty, let her set the tone. I do not get the feeling from your post that she is using this as a control issue or power struggle, more a task issue within herself. If you think she is using it as a control button I would ignore her all together as if you could care less if she ever poops or pees in the potty again but I really think she is working it out in her own inimitable way and you just have to let her, continue to reward and praise the success, let her role play, and eventually after your stock in paper towels and laundry products has risen to new highs it will all sync and it will be on to the next task.
P.S: Reese's Pieces were the magic for B. For Bethany it was having to be potty-trained to go to pre-school. They all accomplish the task in their own way, their own time. Sometimes we can make it in their best interest to speed up their time table but she is still young. Actually way ahead of the game than most kids her age with her interest and role-playing so as long as you don't think she is "playing" you I wouldn't change much.
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