Monday, November 03, 2008

You won't find me in the diaper aisle anymore...

She might still occasionally drink her milk from a bottle and use a pacifier but my 20 month old is pretty much potty trained. For the last couple of weeks, since her siblings started school, I have "secretly" potty trained my baby while at home.

Yes. I am totally that mom. That mom that potty trains children before 24 months. There's a method to my madness, I promise.

And who the heck cares what kind of mom I am. I don't have to buy boxes of diapers. Ever. Again.

I know, I can hardly believe it myself. Do you see me dancing? I am! Who knew I could be so economical and green? Think about all the stilettos I can buy with the money saved. Hmmm...

Congrats baby girl, you had a blast being potty trained. Mama loves you.

I will spare you all the details about potty training a young toddler. However, if you are interested in my point of view, I back dated a post here for you: The Politics of Potty Training. It has been something I wanted to write for awhile now.

75classy comments:

Kelly said...

You rock girl!! Potty training my first 2 boys was rough, I was so excited to have my 3rd potty trained before he turned 3. It would have been a miracle to try and do it before 2! Great job.

Meg said...

If only I had read this years ago. Congrats and I love the pic!

Tyne said...

Way to go! That little picture of Fifi is so cute. I am soooo jealous- Did you get Jay potty trained b/f 24 months? My two year old son is a work in progress.

Clare said...

congrats fifi!!! I am so going to start working with bradley now:) You have encouraged me! He is showing so many signs that he is ready...announces when he is dirty, goes into another room and hides while he pooping, i think i might go for it!!

Stephanie said...

I completely agree with everything you said! Laziness is why my 20 month isn't trained for sure! ;oD

Anonymous said...

That is the CUTEST picture ever! I think all of your children are precious but that baby girl is PRECIOUS!!!!

Goooo Fifi!

Christi in Mississippi

just jamie said...

Dude, you (and your kids) rock. Bravo!

Lisa said...

love those cute tootsies on the potty! Go Fifi!

Jessica said...

Three Cheers! Hip Hip Hurrah! Big Boy was 22 mos. in our household and I am hoping for next summer for my chicita. Which may put her at 20 mos. as well...so I will be in touch. Figure summer and a girl has to be easier than my task of a boy in Feb! Boots, snow, wet stalls in public, wanting his pants COMPLETELY off....Ah, looking forward to a little girl in a dress!

Nicely Done and congrats on the "raise!" More

Mandy said...

It took as severe diaper rash to inspire my little one. She trained on and off and was really excited about the idea at first and then the excitement wore off. Finally, the bad diaper rash forced us to keep her out of diapers as much as possible to let the fresh air help to heal her. Ever since then about 2 1/2 months she only wears pull-ups at night and sometimes during nap time. Whewwwwww!!!! It was a wild potty training ride. :)

Val said...

Hey if they can master it at that age I say why not! Good for you and not having to buy diapers. I am so glad that is over with in my house.

Caroline C. Bingham said...

You have inspired me. I think I might have to start training my people today.

Crystal D said...

YEA Fifi!! What a big girl you are now. :)

Someone Being Me said...

That is impressive. As a first time parent I would love to hear more details on how you accomplished this. I am totally clueless on potty training and mine is 21 months old. Everyone I know said I really shouldn't bother starting training until he turns 2.

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Jealousy is not a strong-enough word. My almost-3yo has no interest. I'm gonna read up on your methods.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

YAY FOR YOU!!!

We're potty training our 20-mo-old and its going a bit slower (he *is* a boy, after all) but I'm sick of people looking at us like we're crazy! He's shown a *lot* of interest (after all, big brother does it!) and we're not forcing it at all.

HUGE congratulations to you!!!

Chelsea said...

This is how I feel too. In fact, I was just saying so the other day to the husband (I don't know what that's worth, being a non-mom). I even used the puppy analogy! Of course, you could have guessed that. I just want to avoid having 2 kids in diapers (an infant and a toddler). Thanks for the reassurance!

Great picture. Perfectly captures with minimal future embarrassment.

Chiloe said...

Congratulations !!! YOu are a lucky mom ;-)

The first day I potty trained my last baby, I used 12 underwears and at the end, I had to use his big sister underwears as I didn't have any clean and dry boys underwears !!!lol

Cynthia said...

Well done! I am having a tougher time with The Little Man than I did with Miss Peach...

Anonymous said...

This is awesome. I actually agree with you. My older daughter was 3. We just put her in panties and she was trained in a day. I started Hannah at 18 mos. She was pooping and peeing by 21 mos but I dropped the ball. She does tell me and she goes every night after her bath. She is a tiny bit over two but I am thinking about just putting her in panties too. She is so ready.How do you train them at night and nap time. I am still having issues with it? We never did the potties either. We have a potty seat just so she will not fall in.

Unknown said...

I'm jealous! Now when your doorbell rings, that will be TOF, I'm dropping him off for potty training, please work your magic and send him back. He'll be 3 soon....I know, I should be ashamed. Mia culpa :(

Kaci said...

Ooooo congrats!!! :)

Blessings From Above said...

Very impressive!!!

Although I had never thought of it before from your perspective,your puppy analogy makes perfect sense.

Congratulations!

Jill said...

I think it's fantastic... with the 3rd kid you are just so well prepared after learning your lessons from the previous two!

Rock on mom - fab job. :)

Tonya Staab said...

Yay. That's fantastic. I wish I could do it. I wish I had the patience. My 25 month olds are not potty trained at all. They know what the potty is for, they've each peed in it once. That's it. Ugh.

Amy said...

Is it not one of the most wonderful feelings in the world?? CONGRATS on getting them all done!

Jenera said...

We are on our third attempt of potty training our 2 1/2 year old. We've been at it a week. he's still having accidents but the difference this time is I'm just going with the flow. He seems to be grasping it. We are down to diapers at bed time only and I'm loving it. Though I'll have a newborn in a few weeks so I'm not completely done with diapers, lol.

A Crafty Mom said...

Awesome - what a great feeling!!! It's amazing to never have to touch another diaper again - I can't wait until my third is trained. And don't stress about the pacifier . . . my oldest had his until he was 2 1/2 - I stressed over it so much and was so worried. Then one day he gave it up and it was NOTHING - no big deal at all. I don't know why I caused myself so much grief - I only wish my little one would take one now some days :-)

Rachel said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Hmm . . .now I need to go read that other post. I just bought potty training equipment for my Little Lady.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Yay Fifi! I'm going to read that post to see if we can get my 24 month old on the bad wagon! Two in diapers is pricey!

Anonymous said...

Oh my. That's wonderful. Mine is still having a few accidents at nearly four. Congrats on saving the diaper money. That certainly will amount to many pairs of shoes for you.

McMommy said...

Congrats!! I think Fifi and Carter must have birthdays that are pretty close!!

You are inspiring me to potty train him...and save $$$ on diapers!

Amy said...

Amazing! Thanks for the back dated post. I can't wait to read it.

Flea said...

Congratulations! That rocks! It's like a little raise in pay, isn't it?

Karen said...

You're amazing! Really, if I could never peruse the diaper aisle again I'd be dancing, too. Congrats!

Rachel said...

Congrats love! Give her a big potty girl high 5 from us down in Texas, K? :-)

WE're going to be attempting that soon. oh the joys.

Smooches and love those precious baby feet!

Tami said...

It is so exciting when you realize you will never have to buy those diapers again! I can still remember. Congratulations to you and your baby girl!

Heather said...

Congrats Fifi!!! Giggles was trained by 20 months, The Chicken took a bit longer but just after 2 she was totally trained as well.

Mom said...

Where were you 4 years ago when I needed you? LOL good for you and the wee one.

Anti-Supermom said...

Wyatt is totally showing interst, but it's just so hard with three other little ones around.


Way to go, Fifi (and Mommy, every hour is a lot of work)~

Laura said...

You rock! Madigan is 20 months and is using the potty 2-3 times a day - but will not wear underpants...Maybe I need to get a bit more consistent!

thakns for the tips!

Unknown said...

When she's 16, she's going to hate you for that photograph. Me? I love it. that is the cutest potty picture I've ever seen.

I see you already have her trained for pedicures, as well.

Helen Wright said...

Congrats! People thought I was crazy having my son trained after just a year! They'll think you are psycho!
We are the ones with the last laugh though!

Miss said...

Awsome Job Ho Momma. Love the pic of her on the potty with her pretty dress ;-)

Kat said...

Well, I just commented on your potty training post, but again. I agree with you. Earlier is better.
Yay for no diapers!!!

Buttermouth said...

Yay Fifi!! That's awesome that see was able to catch on so quickly. I know a few 24 year olds that still trying to figure it out.

tiarastantrums said...

awesome - but I have a question - what do you do when you are out running errands or shuttling to and from preschool and school? My baby girl is 100% potty trained at home, but I am so fearful out in the real world that I always put diapers on her. Plus, 100% - even dry through the night????????

Kalle said...

Congrats on buying your very last box of diapers. What a fabulous milestone. :)

Ellyn said...

Wow. I am impressed.
We tried with my son at about the same age. He just finished up this past summer. He is three. It was no fun.
We will be starting with our daughter very soon and hope to have better sucess.

I will try your method this time around.

Tara R. said...

Woohooo! That's awesome. Love the potty photo.

Diva's Thoughts said...

Congrats!! How wonderful. This is going to be so liberating for you.

Skiplovey said...

Yay! I need all the encouragement I can get. I'm planning to start my 18 month old on it next month. You hear so much naysaying about it, thanks for a posting a positive story!

Anonymous said...

Oh happy day!

THANK YOU for sparing us the details.

So awesome. You should have a 'bye-bye-diaper party'....I had one for my kids. Invitations? Un-used diapers. Guests (family and neighborhood kids) brought one pair of underwear each! It was awesome. I wrote about it on my blog...I am too lazy to find the post. So just imagine k?

Rhea said...

Dang. My boys were 3 1/2 and 4 years old when they finally gave up diapers. I can't even imagine it happening that young.

Noob Mommy said...

That's amazing. We're still at 5 months old, but I will remember your wisdom!

enthalpymama said...

Bravo! Andrew was two. Gladys barely two. George . . . hmmm.

Tootsie Farklepants said...

Enjoy your freedom!!! It truly is liberating!

carrie said...

#3 is always breezier!

Congrats on not having to buy Costco-sized boxes of landfill material anymore! That is definitely a cause worth celebrating . . . with some new shoes for mama!

Mr Lady said...

That is really FABULOUS news! I only got one potty trained before 2; the other two were growing armpit hair before I could get them out of diapers. :)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Congrats to you & Fifi!

Indy said...

I love the picture. Priceless.

Courtney said...

I am going to check out that post now. I stayed home with Taylor so potty training was easy. Callee is almost 28 months and still not potty trained. It's not as easy when you're not home full time. I must read this now.

Don Mills Diva said...

I am so off to read that post.

Graham is 3 next week and I haven't potty trained - I have been thinking he'll do it himself when he's ready but lately I'm wondering if I should be more pro-active...

Unknown said...

***BOWS TO OHMOMMY AND FIFI***

Kudos!

Stephanie said...

Congratulations, you have reached my highest level of worldly aspirations. Two down, one to go. I wish I weren't too lazy to do it your way. (And we have serious night-time issues around here.) But I am happy for you.

Unknown said...

yay fifi!!!

Mama Smurf said...

Congratulations!

PS - love the photo!

Irene said...

Yeah, maybe this is where I went all wrong. If you read on my blog - my 3 1/2 year old is STILL giving me grief. Maybe I should have started WAY before this difficult stage started.

Good for you!

CC said...

I love that potty training early not only saved us money but also was green! Makes up for us using disposable diapers (sorta).

Anonymous said...

Cool! You go, Fifi. I read both posts and it made me remember my mom telling me she had me potty trained by 18 months old.

Zoeyjane said...

Yay, fifi! Isobel, I waited until she was about 25 months, but then it took about 3 weeks until she was done. And I totally bribed her.

Anonymous said...

So what if she's younger than 24 months (granted this coming from a non parent-lol). Congrats on no more diapers! Woo hoo!

Anonymous said...

Awwww, in a pretty princess dress too!

Do you think if I chuck one of those babys on Boo I could potty train him?

*snort*

Jaina said...

Congrats!! I love the picture :)

Anonymous said...

I am the early potty training mom also. I started sitting Allie on the toilet really early, and well, it worked. The only people who said anything negative about it were people who wait way later to potty train or people who had children that refused to potty train. Boo to them. Anyway, YAY FOR FIFI! (Honestly, I think one of the reasons I am not sure if I want more children is that I seriously do not want to go through the diaper stage again.)

 

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