A Pregnant Pause

Calling all cloth diaper Mums! I need help!

Lucas’ potty training actually started when he was at the babysitter’s around 18 months.

She’d just gotten a new batch of potties for all the boys and started to get them into the routine of running ‘wild and free’ (Translation = butt naked). Also, they were fascinated with the potties and co-operated with the sit-down after lunch.

However, when 3-4 cases of hand-foot-mouth disease happened at her place after Hubby left for China, I removed him as I didn’t want to take any chances.

He happily landed at Grandma’s and Grandpa’s. Grandma isn’t keen on the modern cloth diapers because she feels the weight will spoil her precious washing machine. Thus, Lucas was always in disposables.

For all my complains about the little tyke, I’m always thankful for his regular bowel system – a super smooth one nurtured by a balanced diet, fruits and lots of water. Right after his morning milk, he’ll be sure to come to me and whisper, “Pee…” (Now, he’s changed it to “Sai…” which is Hokkien for…well, shit.)

During Chinese New Year this year, he had the fun of watching his twin cousins take off their pants and go wee-wee in their traditional potties. I think that was a good experience because when I asked if he wanted a potty, he said yes. (Earlier, he said no.)

When we got back home, this first time Mum bought small potties as she’s delusional about her little boy still being a little baby LOL

He’d sit on the potty but nothing happens.

He’d want me to sit on the potty with him and so I did on my throne. Then, he wanted toilet paper too. And help me flush! Aaargh…

Last month, Grandma’s neighbour suggested that we bring him to the toilet to let him try peeing. Only after a few tries over many weeks did Lucas pee – on the toilet floor, in the hall floor!

A few weeks ago, Grandma taught Lucas to squat and pee like a girl in the toilet. He can do that pretty well now as he’ll tell me “Pee!” and I’d quickly whip off the nappy and let him run to the squatting toilet.

Last week back at our Penang apartment, I asked him to sit on his potty. He agreed and then told me to “Blow”. Ok, this sounds bad but he actually means for me to whistle.

I did and I thought nothing was going to happen because Mr. Super Active was bouncing around, laughing and flapping his arms like a chicken.

Suddenly, his face froze and soon I hear the tinkle of pee dripping. I froze too as I didn’t want to interrupt the call of nature.

Then, Lucas got up and looked in. His face broke into a BIG smile and exclaimed, “PEE!”

I laughed and then praised him for being so clever to pee in the potty. I went out and told Grandma and Auntie O who praised him also. This sent him running around the hall in his usual, madcap way.

Lately, he poo-ed by accident into the toilet bowl too. And when I remember to stop my work and asks if he wants to pee, he can do that well in the toilet…though he also pulls a bit of toilet paper to wipe like a girl. Err…do boys use toilet paper?

I’m really happy but here’s my dilemma:
1. Our China apartment has a sitting toilet – I plan to get a toilet ring. Hopefully, he’ll be able to do what he does for the squatting toilet.

2. He doesn’t want diapers – he either likes to be ‘wild and free’ or he wants ‘underwear’ after reading the potty training book. I really have to struggle or scold to get him into nappies because he can take off his pants and rip off the diapers himself.

However, he needs them as he still poos and pees a lot!

Because disposable diapers are expensive and of poor quality in China, I’ve been stashing up on cloth diapers to save money. Now, I’m not sure if I should get any more since he doesn’t like diapers.

But, training pants don’t really hold much pee, right?

That means I’ll need to run Lucas to the toilet every hour to ensure he stays dry. During some of the times he’s ‘wild and free’ (despite all 3 of us yelling and chasing after him) he pees on the floor.

Once, he also pee-ed when he’s concentrating on his book or playing his toys. I don’t scold him when this happens because it could be subconscious but I do state in a firm (and mournful) voice that he needs his diapers or the floor/bed gets wet.

Does anyone have gently used training pants for a 2.5 years old to let go? Or good new ones to recommend? Please let me know at kittycat2006[at]live[dot]com because we leave in 2 weeks!

For working Mums, please please please be nice to your babysitter/Mother/mother-in-law because it’s a right, real mess when he’s potty training! Girls generally potty train earlier and are more inclined to stay clean and make adults happy.

Boys? Huh…I’ve been hearing that they are VERY happy to stomp and play in the pee and run around like flashers!

In fact, I’m demanding a BIG REWARD from Hubby for all the chasing, cleaning and yelling I’ve had to do for this little XY these past 2 months…