Mother Training;
My Encounter with Infant Potty Training.
By Vanessa Lorentzen
This "experiment" in Infant Training has been a journey of self-discovery. I call it an experiment because at the time it sounded to good to be true. I will be honest, I went in with a "show me" attitude which lasted for months. Even when my little guy proved the theory, I still couldn't quite believe it was really working! Let the reader understand, you will hear as much about me, and my growth, as you will hear about Zion and his growth.
I first learned of Infant Potty Training through Mike and Debi Pearls' book "To Train Up a Child". Something struck a chord in me and I was curious. At the time I thought my child bearing days were over. I had my 3 kids and was certain there would be no more! Fortunately I was wrong and Zion Emmanuel Lorentzen was born on April 10th 1999, in our little farm house.
I had been given the book "Trickle Treat" written by Laurie Boucke, and was thrilled because I remembered that the Pearls were selling it through their newsletter. Sadly I put off reading it because I was so over-whelmed with nursing problems which lasted 6 full weeks. After that I coasted along in relief. When I finally picked up the book Zion was 3 mo. old. I regret now that we hadn't started earlier, but at the same time, just grateful I started when I did! Here is the first entry from my "records".
I started Zion just as the book said, observing him and keeping records. By day two, I felt connected.
Here is my second entry;
I am the one with the connection to Zion, yet I have helpers! My husband and oldest son take instructions beautifully. When I am busy, they take over. My husband has had quite a few victories over the sink, once with the weekly BM! (Even though I am nursing this little boy, he persists in having a BM once a week. I have discovered that this is normal in some infants. He simply uses his food to the maximum! This is never a constipation issue.)
My oldest son, Hollis, who is 12 1/2 helps when I am busy home schooling or fixing meals. I put Zion in cloth with a plastic pant, then Hollis holds him while putting one finger in the pants to feel for the wetness, when he goes, he makes the Ssss.
(Soon Hollis could be trusted to hold Zion over the sink, and in no time the other siblings were helping too! Because Zion was already quite heavy, Jasper (9) and Starlit (7) would balance him on the side of the tub. After peeing, we would wash the urine down the drain with a couple sprays of bathroom cleaner, then water.)
Recently I have been really busy and one thing that I read in the "Trickle Treat", just seems to ring in my ears...."Nothing is more important". This thought has kept me going, even through the inconsistency's of our lifestyle. Everyday we press on, each day a new day, a new opportunity.
On the days when I get unexpected company or have to keep appointments my little guy doesn't hit the pot everytime. Often I will only get in 3 good sink sessions. Here lies the experiment; will I reap the rewards or will this end in disaster. Time will tell. One thing I've noticed. He doesn't pee when he's eating, nor sleeping, nor interactive playing. He can go 2-3 hours without peeing. He was 4 months on the 10th of July, and I am surprised at how much control he does seem to have!
Here is another surprise...the week I started Zion training, my 86 year old Grandmother stopped in to see us. She was surprised to see what I was doing, but was tickled too, as she excitedly told me that she had trained her own kids to 'potty'. My dad was the youngest, born in 1940. They were very very poor. No running water, no furnace, just wood stove and no electricity. She carried all the water, and she said doing diapers was a hard ship. Her methods were a little different but the outcome was the same. She learned their basic schedules around 3 months. She was real pioneer woman.
Today I tried to get a picture of Zion peeing in the sink because no one believes it...if it turns out I will post it on our web page!
Below is a picture of Dad (Tim) holding Zion over the sink in the men's bathroom. Each victory over the sink held us in awe. As I said before, my experiment was working, yet I couldn't believe it...even when Zion proved he could do it, time and time again! I soon realized that when we had problems, the source of the conflict was usually me. Zion was willing and ready to "obey" his own instincts. It was me who needed the training and it took months!
I have never had this kind of relationship with a baby before. I'll admit, this is hardest for me, (I must break out of my old habits) but what a privilege!
On the same note; my husband has a saying, "Take the hard road, it's easier." Oh so true! The time we invest now in the 'hard things" will return to us 100 fold. I know, because I've been reaping those rewards so far.
This is a page under-construction! Bear with me as I take my time in putting it together! Below is a sneak pre-view of what was to come!
These are pictures of Zion on his little potty! The first are from 10/27/99 he is 6 months old. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so let the pictures speak for themselves!
He was really too little to sit by himself.
Jasper helping out.
Starlit helping out another time.
On a trip - 11 months old.