Potty Training 101

My day began with an enthusiastic three year old, a patient Daddy, and a skeptical Mommy, embarking on this adventure called potty training. We've tried a lot of things in the past, but you know, Aiden has had a really rough couple of years. It is amazing to look back and see how resilient he has been. You see, the first time potty training came up, he brought it up. He was 2.5 years old. I was ecstatic, because I felt like he was ready. Two days later he broke his leg and was in a cast that went to his foot on one side and his knee on the other leg for 8 weeks. Following the cast came a leg brace for several weeks. Needless to say, potty training didn't happen. That began a long cycle of medical problems and tests, that finally lead us to his diagnosis of TRAPS and injections twice a week. Not to mention he grieved the loss of his brother, moved to a new town and church, added a precious sibling in there, we moved him out of his crib into a big boy bed, and he got glasses. Since then, we've tried every once in a while to encourage him with the potty, but nothing has really worked. Now, here's the honesty, part of that is because I was not consistent. Sometimes consistency is really hard. Especially when you are being consistent about your baby growing up and you're just not sure you want him to grow up quite so fast yet. So, back to this morning. I was skeptical, but we had a plan!

In two hours this morning we had four accidents. I was slowly seeing the plan unravel, as patient Daddy was at work, and I was experiencing raging morning sickness. Somehow, in all of that, my sweet red head thought it would be a good idea to stand on the train table and let it all hang out. I turned just in time to see him "watering" the painted on green scenery of the tabletop. Have you ever had to give yourself a "Mommy time out?" Yeah, um, I don't want to know if you haven't. The sweet three year old got time out for standing on the train table too. Something he has never done! I don't know what he was thinking! Following this incident I decided we needed to add to the plan. So, parents everywhere, I am coming to you with a proven potty training technique! Seriously, we went from several accidents today, to using the potty properly six times! I am SO proud of him!

So, what is the secret? Prayer. I got on the phone and called two of my prayer warriors. I called patient Daddy and told him to pray. But most importantly, I took Aiden, I placed him in my lap, we cuddled, we hugged, we loved one another, and I explained to him that we were going to talk to God. Then, we did just that. We prayed about Aiden learning how to use the potty. We prayed for Aiden to know what to do and when to do it. We prayed for Mommy to have patience and wisdom to help Aiden with this new adventure. Then, we continued to pray throughout the day. And we'll pray again tomorrow!

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting to have a perfect day tomorrow and I'm sure we'll still have accidents. But if you had seen the change from the morning to night you would think you were watching a different child. It was an amazing transformation. The difference? One small prayer, on a cold tile bathroom floor, from a confused three year old and a weary Mommy. The patient Father was listening, just waiting for us to bring it to Him.

He calls to us:

Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

And He promises us:

Luke 1:37

For nothing is impossible with God.

If you look up the word nothing in the original language, it translates into the "spoken word." In other words, you have to name what you need God to help you with. That word nothing, means nothing! So, what do you need to ask him to change for you today? He can change anything from your skepticism into your reality. Even potty training.