Potty Training: What NOT to do

To describe potty training as frustrating is minimal at best. Today was a classic afternoon in the Youngberg household as both Tim and I pretty much lost it in the parenting department. Noah probably spent a good hour and a half in the bathroom trying to go potty. Actually, let me rephrase that....he spent a good hour and a half in the bathroom REFUSING to go potty. The only good part of this was I actually cleaned out my whole car while he was sitting on the pot. I understand Youngberg men are stubborn, but I think Noah is bringing this trait to a whole new level....one that even Tim isn't prepared for. Noah found a way to entertain himself, with intermittent episodes of "shut-the-windows-or-our-neighbors-are-going-to-call-the-cops" bawling.

Needless to say, we hate potty training. I think Tim and I went from bribing this kid with any toy he could possibly want to an actual full-size race car. And then after our frustration level was mounting, we did the absolute opposite and pretty much threatened to take away everything and anything meaningful to him. Yeah, I don't recommend either method, by the way.

With that said, I know he is progressing well as he wears underwear most of the day and only uses a diaper during naptime and at night (and sometimes when we have a long car ride he wears a pull-up). The accidents are becoming less and less each day, but it's more the fighting and the refusal that is making me go nutso! Tonight, I told him when his diapers are gone, then that's it for diapers FOREVER. Right now, he is probably sitting up in bed wondering if Mommy is telling the truth when she told him all the stores in America no longer sell diapers! Seriously, wish us luck....this kid has my number.