isn’t going to figure this all out in a day, you are not freaking out . . .
but geez, Louise, this kid is showing no recognition that he just peed.
WTH? This happens most often in children under twenty-two
months. Regardless of your child’s age, however, you’ll want to make
sure she truly is “clueless,” rather than simply ignoring the pee.
“Clueless” means . . . clueless. How’s that for a rock-solid definition?
The child who pees and pretends it didn’t happen is not clueless. See
the difference? The truly clueless will pee while walking, slip on it,
fall, and have no idea what the hell just happened. If, by the end of
day one, your child is still totally clueless, it’s okay. All it means is
that you are still in Block One. If your child pees and pretends it
doesn’t happen, however . . .
Kid pees and pretends it doesn’t happen: For this kid, remind him
that pee goes in the potty. Frown or make an otherwise displeased
facial expression and say, “No pee on the floor. Pee goes in the
potty.” Make those statements in that specific order, putting the
desired result last. Kids tend to remember the last thing you said a
little better; it just seems to stick. You don’t want to be mean or
reprimanding, but you do need to express that peeing on the floor is
NOT good and peeing in the potty IS good.
As for handling the accident, don’t panic. You want to have him
help you clean up and sit on the potty to finish eliminating any pee
he may have left. You can say something to the effect of, “I know you
are learning, and your pee goes in the potty.” Do not say, “It’s okay.”
I’ll repeat this a lot. This phrase seems to imply permission (to pee on
the floor) to some kids, even if what you really mean to express is,