Burbadad Blog

Good job Daddy!  You’re doing it!  You’re going potty!

My toddler son proudly exclaimed my accomplishment as he stood behind me in the men’s room of Lochrain’s Irish Pub.  Several snickers quickly followed from the adjacent urinals and stalls. 

Thanks, buddy.

My embarrasment quickly turned to pride because I realized that at the ripe age of 2.5, he understood positive reinforcement, which means his mother and I must be doing something right.  The pride continued as he tugged down his shorts, skivvied (is that a verb?) down his Thomas the Tank underoos, stepped up to the urinal and took care of his own business.

My turn.

Good job, Buddy!  You’re doing it!  You’re going potty!

For Dads in the potty-training phase of life, desperately wanting to progress from the diaper changing stage, Burbadad has a few tips for you:

1. Don’t Push It - Our pediatrician first gave us this advice, but as much as we wanted to take it to heart; we kept getting pushback from friends and family who practically made us feel guilty that our son was still sporting Huggies.  But, we stuck with it.  We talked about it with our son.  We showed him how it was done.  One day, he decided he wanted to give it a whirl.  And, so the basic training began.

2. Name It Normal - Mom and Dad have to be in agreement with what to call the doodie, er…duty.  She said no to whiz, piss, drain the vein, crap and plop.  I said no to wee-wee, anything involving numbers, BM, and tee-tee.  We settled on poop and potty. 

3.  Let Dad Lead – I never get the stories my wife tells me of the way too old boy oggling her in the ladies room.  He’s a boy for crissakes – Dad, take him to the Men’s room.  Sure, sure, there are the times Mom is flying solo and he needs to take care of business – perfectly understandable.  But Dad, get off your lazy ass and take your boy.  He’s learning through your example.

4.  Devote a Day – When it’s go time, and your son seems to be getting it, but not totally trained yet, clear your calendar one Saturday, lock the doors, strip him down and make a day of potty-training.  We reached a point in the potty-training where he just got lazy.  “Hey bud, need to go potty,” (as he squirmed and pinched his crotch).  “No, that’s okay – you can just clean me up,” he replied.  I called BS.  Too late.

On your Pee-Day, keep his clothing to a bare minimum (or nothing at all).  He’ll get freaked out about not having anything to contain his release, which will remind him to alert you.  Provide example and positive reinforcement all day.  If he’s in to cars, give him a new hot wheel every time he goes to the bathroom (regardless of whether or not it’s productive).  At the end of the day give him a prize on a grander scale.  Have your wife bake a cake, watch his favorite movie – whatever signals to your son that it’s a different day.  I know it sounds crazy, but you will so thank yourself later.

Hey, just like anything Jerry Jones touches, the plan is not perfect – but it’s pretty damn close.  Yes, there have been accidents and frustrations, even months after beginning the training.  For the most part, though, I can say with confidence that he’s potty-trained. 

Oh, and my moment to brag. 

He’ll only pee standing up. 

But, that story is for a future posting.

Happy Peeing!