Sun 23 Jul 2006
Thanks to everyone for your feedback (and enthsiasm) on this idea inspired by my friend Amie’s kindness….
If you are interested in this idea becoming more formal ( a ring or swap) leave me a comment.
Weekend Update:Â
Things here at Chez’ Cowboy have been all potty all weekend. I have not really seen much other than the cowboy’s bum-bum and the inside of a bathroom all weekend.
We are making great strides and the effort is so worth it. We are using a lot of positive reinforcement and a 45 minute sit schedule… I will keep you posted. ( I know you are all on the edge of your seats!) If any of you Mamas that have done this have any suggestions… I am all ears!
When you are wrong, you’re wrong:
I wrote a politically - oriented post (that has since been deleted) on Friday regarding the recent extension to the Voting Rights Act.
Looks like mama jumped the gun on some things.
Here is a thoughtful email I received regarding the post (thanks S!) :
Your post on the Voting Rights Act got me thinking also, and then I
did a little Googling to refresh my memory, because I thought its
purpose was to protect already-existing rights. Â In short, whether or
not the Act was extended, African-Americans (and other minority
citizens) would all still have the right to vote under the 15th
Amendment to the Constitution. Â What the Act does is protect that
right against practices that were attempts to get around the
constitutional rights guaranteed by the 15th amendment, such as
requiring literacy tests. Â Unfortunately, there are places and cases
in recent years where the Voting Rights Act has been necessary to
ensure that everybody gets a fair opportunity to vote. Â The 25 years’
extension refers to very specific issues in very specific states and
municipalities where there is a history of discrimination against
minority voters.
The link below had an explanation as well as some other useful links:
http://www.fairvote.org/?page=828
Anyway, it IS incredible that such protections are still necessary
and in general its an issue well worth getting angry about when it is
still such an uphill battle in many places to ensure everyone’s right
to vote.
So, I being someone who firmly believes in being flawed, admit I jumped the gun. Thanks! Maybe that is why I stay away from posting about the political.
Happy Monday Folks!
July 24th, 2006 at 7:53 am
Good luck with the potty learning. I don’t think there is any magic thing that works for any child, potty learning just happens. With S, I told her that I trusted that she knew her body and that she was able to listen to it and know when she needs to use the potty. I only asked/ask her to use it when we are leaving to go somewhere. She was 2.5 yrs old when she was totally using the potty, she started being interested with watching us on the potty around 18 months and started using it around 2 yrs old with help.
July 24th, 2006 at 9:42 am
Heck, with my eldest we had a routine, a special potty seat with a step stool and a lovely sticker chart to celebrate her accomplishments. Afterall, our friend’s daughter had been completely potty trained by 18 months and the pressure was on. There were lots of tears, mine of course, and pleading. When my 2nd daughter was ready to potty train I had just found out I was pregnant and morning sickness hit with a vengeance. I could do little more than set up the potty seat on the toilet (to prevent her from falling in) and clap when she sat on the potty. Sadly, I don’t remember my youngest daughter’s potty training at all. She must have picked it up somewhere. I couldn’t find the previously-used potty seat so she learned to balance on the big potty. I’m sure she’ll need therapy and if CPS reads this I’ll probably be featured on the evening news. Guilt sucks. Well, on the upside, I’ve seen very few Kindergarteners in diapers. And those few had physical problems. I think “Pay it Forward” is a great idea.
July 24th, 2006 at 9:52 am
Well, potty training depends on the child. My son for instance likes to “do things himself” and hates to be wet. So I just put him in underwear one day, showed him where the potty was, and directed him there when he wet. He figured it out in a week. I potty trained him when we was around three, so his age might have helped it go faster. That and his desire to not be wet and to play without having to change his clothes.