Is That A Train, Or The Light Of Day?

And for tonight's little piece of poopy excitement, the boy took off his diaper and flung it down the steps. The result was poo covered walls and stair treads. Such a lovely color, too. With his snotty drainage down the back of his throat, and hence swallowed into his digestive tract, things are a very nice creamy texture. Almost like a poopy mousse of sorts. Yeh, it was fun to clean up. Thanks for asking.

Can I just say that I couldn't be more thrilled that the boy is becoming aware of his needs? Poop = diaper change. It's a dizzying concept to think that the light at the end of the tunnel might be the end, and not a train coming right at me. I've been changing diapers every single day for over 13 years now. I'm expecting my Platinum Huggies Award to show up in the mail any day.

But here's where it gets tricky. Or sticky, depending on who's flinging what around here. How on earth do I convey the concept to the boy that the poop goes in the potty? He's just not getting it. You'd think, being a mom of 4, that I'd know these things. I feel like such a newbie. But abstract concepts like that seem to be just out of his grasp.

This could be a very long summer.

19 comments:

Pam said...

eww- yuk on the walls. I bet that was fun to clean up!

But yeah for him M and realizing that he doesn't want to sit in that poop. Good luck getting him to put it in the potty!

Anonymous said...

I think I just threw-up in my mouth a little.

Does he tend to 'take care of business' around the same time each day? Maybe start sitting him on the potty around that time and see what happens? Or maybe try sitting him on the potty a couple of times a day? When we started toilet training with Cooper we would put him on the potty before meals, before and after his nap, etc. (That tactic only lasted for so long, but it did help him understand actually going in the potty!) Good luck!

Sherry said...

My sympathies on the flinging monkey poo.

Having experienced more than my share of unpleasant potty training stories, I wish I could say it gets easier, but I have 8 and the 2 1/2 year old shows zero interest in this sort of thing.

She views pull ups as very fashionable hats...minus the poop accessory. Gold Plated Platinum Diaper trophy for you. Like your blog!

just jamie said...

you just ruined my glass of wine. :)

that's a tough one. will older siblings allow him to watch their little poopy sessions? is he inspired by their accomplishments? if not big siblings, i nominate ... Dad.

best wishes on the poopy journey. (yeah, i just said that.)

Andrea said...

I am having a poop in the potty problem with my two year old too!! This afternoon we were out in the yard with the goat, and my toddler went streaking by with poop all over his legs and feet. Nice!! So, when you finds out the secret please please let me know~!!

Leanne said...

Hmmm. What if you take all the poop in the diaper and put it in the potty while you announce, "See, that's where the poop goes!" or something like that.

Or you could make a big show of looking in the potty all the time and tell him you're looking for it in there...

I'm slightly insane, I know.

Helpful, but insane. :)

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

Gross! If it is a diaper that can, as my mom puts it "dump the lump" have you tried showing Micah that you put the poop in the toilet then flush it? I don't know if it will work, but maybe he would make the connection. Even if he doesn't get that you can sit on the toilet and skip the diaper all together maybe he will at least dump it himself instead of flinging it down the stairs. I'm really feeling for you right now!

Michelle said...

Somehow, I have a feeling you've tried many of the above tactics already. I do wish you the best of luck -- and that maybe you haven't tried something listed and that it works for you.

My thought: summer is when you play outside and spend 90% of your time in a swimsuit and simply hose down the children when necessary? I know my mom used to do that to me (washing off popsicle though not poop, lucky her!).

Irene said...

Holy cow! 13 years!? I thought I had a record. I have been changing them daily for a mere 6 1/2 years. Although, with Caroline, this isn't going to change any time soon.

But poop down the walls? YUCK. I really feel for you!

Flea said...

I LOVE just jamie's idea of nominating dad for poop duty. Or dooty. Seriously - after 13 years, Micah being a boy and all, men's brains working so differently, maybe he can do this better. At least, that's the way you need to sell the idea. Heh.

Unknown said...

Oh girl, hang in there. I am giving you a big, virtual hug right now.

Sniz

AutoSysGene said...

Oy, you just made me very happy to be done with diapers!!

No advice, just a big ((((hug))))

Burgh Baby said...

So typical of a Four Kid Parent. You act like you don't know what to do, but you totally do. I see right through you and your poop flinging monkey.

Kellan said...

A very long summer indeed. Happy Mother's Day, Karen - see you - Kellan

Momisodes said...

Oy. *shakes head to remove poop stained images*

I agree with another commenter. Does he go with any regularity? Does he give any forewarning to pooping (gas, etc)?

Indeed it may be a long winter. Hope your Mother's Day is poop-free.

Anonymous said...

Oy vey. I'm just taking notes, because we're in the same smelly, brown spot.

caramama said...

that sucks. i feel for you! unfortunately i have no advice to offer.

(typing one handed. sorry it's messy.)

JennyH said...

I feel for you! I am a mother of an almost 7 year old with Ds. He was a big poop painter. I think he has finally out grown that. But trust me I still have my share of poop to clean. Now that you mention how long you have been changing diapers, I have been doing it for almost 7 years straight and all of that is at least double duty if not triple duty! I still have about 3 years left at that.

Oh the joys of poop!!

Wineplz said...

I"m in the "put the poop in the toilet" camp. I did that with Gavin a few times. Not sure if it sunk it, but it made me feel a little better trying. ;)