All parents eagerly await achieving the official “potty trained” status. Ellie began to potty train herself very early – before she was even two she was in pull-ups/panties and loved using the toilet. I have found, though, that there is a season, or a transition, where they are, perhaps fully functional in the control of bodily functions, but not so much fully functional in the, um, process of getting steps 1-5, etc. completed in a timely fashion, littlest mess and the least amount of germ factor. I have told Ryan many times that I understand that he has spent a lot of time hangin’ out outside of many a restroom. I also explained, that gee, even though, I have appreciated his patience, he has been dealt the better end of the deal. (It would probably be another post, of which I have no interest in writing, to discuss why Daddy doesn’t take them into a men’s room…or really, maybe that is enough said already.)
We are “in transition” and I would even say very much at the end. At home, and usually when we are out, Ellie is completely independent and even becoming proficient at “the wipe” after the big job.
Last night, though, after spending a very long time standing over her in a very small public stall and after having discussed every subject of interest to a three year old. And after discussing the function of every item found in the small stall…And after telling her why she should touch as few of those things as possible…And after waiting still more time, I heard her little sing-song voice singing a cute little song to herself, “La, La, La, I’m just pretending on the potty, La, La, La. I don’t need to go potty and poo-poo anymore. La, La, I’m finished.” Gee, we’ve shared so much here. Maybe you could have shared that with me.
Someday, I might even miss our times and deep conversations in those stalls.