daddyville

Our 34 mo. old daughter Shayla is, I think--and I say this with humble reserve--about 1/2 way through her process of potty training. Maybe I'm being a little over optimistic on this one, but there IS progress being made. I know that there will still be incidents, but I think we are almost on the other side of this hill of 'fear of the act of defecation'. So far that seems to be the biggest hurdle in this adventure. The "I don't Want to go" vs. "I Have to go" discovery.
We had another successful defecation today, but it took a lot of coercion and patient potty sitting. I think it's starting to dawn on her how easy this all really is. I know that she likes that we don't have to do a lot of residual clean up when she does go in the potty. Hopefully it's starting to make sense to her.
I've discovered that coralling the animal, ie. getting her In the bathroom once she starts using her hand as a bum ornament is highly advisable since there is only so much "I don't want to" that can be said before it doesn't actually matter what you 'want'. Then, I've found that taking the pressure off this highly personal activity is also helpful like talking about what we're going to do once we're done here in the bathroom. We twiddle our fingers and make little people chit chat and then before you know it the moment has arrived and there's no turning back. "It's okay; hold my hand and squeeze" , I say in consolation. Then at the end, as always there is much happiness and rejoicing and high fives. Smiles and stickers are passed around. Fun, fun, fun. :)
The next stage we are looking too once this is tacked down will be the 'always in panties' stage where we'll be in panties Out of the House as well. We're not there yet...One Day at a Time.

Strange as it may sound to some, being the rule enforcer can be an emotionally distressing as well as painful job. No one likes to witness their offspring, no matter the age, encountering the emotional effects of going against the grain of the established household order. As much as you know that it is for their benefit to sit with their hurt feelings, it still pangs the heart to watch them reap the consequences of pushing against well established bounds of behavior protocol.
It is a parent's natural desire of the heart to comfort an ego bruised child,.......most of the time :). However, one knows that overplaying this kind of 'emotional rescue' mission will create a child that will stop at nothing to manipulate reality to their liking. This may seem harmless at 34 mos., but somehow I know--thank God that I do--that if allowed that it could all too easily bloom into a social nightmare of the variety that people try to avoid being subjected to, and the parents of whom are constantly picking up after while making public appologies and reparations. In short, a nightmare of the kind that I do not wish to visit, God bless the children.
We are all survivalists. It is implanted in the animal core of who we are and children are no less so. In fact, children are sweet little naieve survivalists that are in the process of being socialized---naturalized, if you will. It takes balanced parental guiding to portray and teach proper social etiquette, and there ARE hurdles along the way. Hopefully they are recognized for what they are and find us parents 'awake' when they (the bahaviors) are taking place in their formative stages.
Ultimately, I trust that my Heart and my Love for my child will show me the true meandering path that is Fatherhood. It's not an easy job at times, but I can tell you..... the pay is Priceless. I mean it. Priceless.....like you've never known the word.