Not Maddie, Monday

Yes, Madison did not finally cooperate with her mother and get potty trained last week, after 3 months of trying!!! Let's hear it for successful potty training! YES! I am so happy--for my daughter (and Madison, too)! I remember what a struggle that I had potty training her, and how relieved I was when she finally "got it"!

Brandy had worked with Madison for the past 3 months, with very little success. She noticed that Madison would sit on the potty for several minutes, get up and then immediately wet her pants. Maddie was holding her urine until she got off the potty! We knew then that Madison was ready, but just wasn't cooperating for some reason.

Brandy tried everything--including rewards and praise for the few successes that Madison had over the summer. I even did the "happy dance"(a sight to behold, I am sure) every time Madison used the potty successfully...the summer rolled on!

On the first day of September, Madison wet her training pants--which meant she also wet the carpet in the living room. She went to Brandy and told her that she had "pee peed", then showed Brandy the spot on the carpet...that was it!!! If Madison was old enought to tell her and show her where she "pee peed" then she was old enough to be potty trained! Brandy put her final plan of action into place...

(1)Brandy closed off all rooms with carpeting. Madison had free run of the rest of the house with wood floors. (2) She told Madison that when she learned to use the potty that she could come back on the carpet. (3)She gave her extra liquids to drink. (4)She also told her she could watch one 30 minute show on television when she used the potty. (4)The last thing that Brandy did was to make her go without underwear, which Madison hates! Almost immediately, Madison used the potty. Whenever Madison would have an accident, she didn't like it because the urine didn't feel running down her legs! The day continued with about half success/half accidents.

Brandy continued this plan of action the rest of the week, and in addition she took Maddie outside a good bit--wearing dresses and no panties. By the end of the week Maddie was potty trained! So, after 3 months of no success...a change of tactics....success within 3 days! Yes! No more diapers for Maddie! I just love a story with a good ending....

I am not sure if Mckmama is doing a blog carnival today, but feel free to go on over to her place and check http://www.mycharmingkids.net/