room to learn how to use the potty, choose to do so, and do it herself.
The lofty reason for this: it makes the accomplishment her own. The
reality: it’s easier this way.
Sometimes, you have to take the process out of the process. Here’s
a direct quote from Alisha:
I definitely think the hands-off approach is what we need here. I think experimenting
a bit really helped us to figure a few things out. First, we needed to take the potty
training out of potty training, if that makes sense at all. I think once we hit a snag
Friday, we all got too focused on it, and everyone was hyperaware of every
poop/pee/toot that came out of her and we weren’t just being a family and spending
time together. Tried the complete opposite today. Didn’t really talk much about it at
all except when I needed to, and kept it short and sweet. I guess the message she is
sending me is that she can do it without me and actually does better that way. If I act
at all available to help her, she then uses me like a crutch and suddenly can’t do
anything by herself anymore.’Zactly.
At the end of Block Three you should have some confidence in
being able to leave the house with clothes on (well, at least on your
child). You can plan slightly longer outings, maybe to a friend’s
house. Be mindful, though, that you still watch your child for signals.
It should already be getting easier to see those signals, but don’t get
engrossed in a conversation in another room. As I said, bring the
potty in the car. I remember bringing it to the beach with Pascal. He
actually got out of the water to use his potty! I was impressed that he
didn’t just pee in the water! I don’t think it’s necessary to bring the
potty into buildings that do have toilets. You don’t want to foster any
weird attachment to just that one potty (toddlers are notorious for
weirdness). I would advise you keep the potty in the back of the car
when you’re out. You can pee in parking lots, pulled over on the