CHAPTER

In the Beginning . . .

First off, although I’ll admit that I really like the word crap, I tend to

use pee and poop with my own child, and those are the words I’ll use
in this book. I think they are pretty commonplace and fit the bill
nicely. However, don’t feel you have to use them. You should decide
on your own family’s lingo. Any words will do, as long as there is
consistency.
One thing I’ll be talking about quite a lot is mixed messages. We
send our children many mixed messages about potty training, and I
think that’s one of the reasons it’s become such a huge ordeal. The
words you use are just one example. I don’t care if you choose to say
poop, crap, she-she, urine, BM, peeps, caca, doody, lala, foofoo . . .
whatever. Just be consistent. Bear in mind, this word will be said very
loudly in church, at the library, in the market. Be sure it’s a word you
are comfortable with at high volume and frequency. I’ve worked with
parents who say “caca” at home and then try to get away with “BM”
in public. The toddler mind doesn’t work that way. Don’t confuse the
issue.
Regarding the term “potty training,” I know some parents object
to the term. I’ve heard it said that training is for animals, not
children. Let’s just agree that “training” is synonymous with