Oh Crap! Potty Training

transition, so these behaviors will not only be there, but they might
even get magnified for a short period of time.
Again, it’s all good. Just keep your expectations level and your
love big.
I’ve worked with many parents who forget “the child they have”
and really have an expectation that I can fix intrinsic behavior. I
worked with a client, Denise, whose daughter Sienna was very strong-
willed. After many, many conversations, Denise went off on me. She
told me that she was not impressed with me or my method. She said I
had claimed I could deal with “this behavior.”
I cannot fix your child’s general behavior. That’s up to you.
Whatever you child’s personality is, I can’t change that or fix it;
that’s built in. If your child is exhibiting behavior you don’t like or
you feel is disrespectful, you will most likely see that very same
behavior while potty training. What I can tell you is how to deal with
some of the behaviors you find in potty training.
Here’s a clear example of behavior. Say your child did great for a
few days. Suddenly, she doesn’t want to use the potty anymore. This
can look like a defiant “NO!” or it can look like she just can’t be
bothered with it. If she sat and peed/pooped on the potty more than
one time, then we know she can do it. Period. It’s that simple. If she
subsequently chooses not to, it’s behavior.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’re dealing with behavior,
look inside and see how you’re feeling. If you are feeling sad or a little
heartbroken that this isn’t going as you intended, chances are your
child needs more learning. If you feel like you are being played, if you
feel angry, or if you feel like strangling your kid, I’ll bet it’s behavior.
Most times, parents have a really good sense when they are dealing