Based on my unscientific calculations, Elijah has now used close to 5000 diapers. With the exception of our brief
gDiaper stint, those stinkers will be rotting in a landfill for the next 500 or so years. Pretty sad.
Despite my guilt over using disposable diapers, I was never in a hurry to 'potty train' Elijah. Disposables are super-convenient, and I'd heard that premature attempts at potty training are known to cause year long sagas of frustration and piled up laundry.
Parenting resources often discuss the importance of children 'showing interest' in the potty prior to training, but Elijah's interest in his potty had always involved its use as a receptacle for finger puppets and small notions. I finally hid the potty for fear that Elijah would start using it as a portable toy box.
Fast forward to last week. The mother of Elijah's friend tells us that little "Tinkerbell" is going to start potty-training. I try to sound optimistic, but all the while I'm thinking "This sounds way too complicated. I am, I mean Elijah is so not ready for this."
I think about it for the next day or two and start to reconsider. Back in the 1950's, nearly all kids were potty trained by 18 months, and that is still the norm in many cultures. At the very least, I can give Elijah the opportunity to express his interest. So I take the little guy to Target and bring him to the underwear section.
.......
Me: Look Elijah!! Big boy underwear, which one...
Elijah: Thomas!!
Me: (handing over the package of Thomas the Train briefs): Sure you don't want to look at the Diego ones or maybe the cars?
Elijah: (feverishly attempting to open the package): No, Thomas!
.......
Minutes later, Elijah has successfully opened the package and enthusiastically placed a pair of briefs over his head. By the time we hit the parking lot, he has a pair on each arm and is waving to passerbys as though perched upon a parade float. We load into the car and head home.
.......
Me: Elijah? Are you going to wear your new underwear?
Elijah: Ya, ya!
Me: Ok, but you wear the underwear instead of your diaper. No more diaper.
Elijah: No!
Me: But, Mommy wears underwear and Daddy wears underwear and Tinkerbell wears underwear...
Elijah: Ya, ya!! Elijah wear underwear too!!
.......
This morning, I retrieved the potty from exile in our seldom occupied whirlpool. Elijah was eager to try on his underwear, and he looked damn cute in them. I slipped out for a yoga class and left Amiel with a rag to mop the floor.
Upon my arrival home, Amiel reported that things had gone well. Elijah seemed to understand what was going on and was happy to sit on the potty (hooray!). He had yet to actually pee in it, but that didn't matter. We gave him big hugs and told him how proud we were.
Tomorrow I'll be off to buy potty books and more Thomas briefs. I'm ready to give it a try, but open to the possibility that this may not be the 'best' time. At the very least, I can assauge some of my disposable diaper guilt.
