Today we're all about Kai!
Kai is often all over me if I've been away from him for a few hours. He wants to re-establish our connection ( or so I choose to believe) but the reality is, he's trying to get the attention he deserves and I just about snap like Lois in the above video. Jeff giggles like crazy because he doesn't even have to try to annoy me, his offspring is doing it for him.
So today...
Kai has been to the potty 100 times since he's wearing big boy undies and each time he produces something. I didn't know this was possible, but apparently it is. Jeff and I have transitioned away from chocolate after he does his thing on the potty and now we're dolling out stickers like nobody's business. Thank goodness we were able to hype up the stickers like they were way better than the mini M & M's or else we may have encountered a nasty potty regression! Not cool.
So while I'm stoked about the recent potty love, it's also a catch 22 since Kai's increased freedom has leads to interesting situations and a slight gut tightening every time he announces he has to go potty and then promptly indicates, "No I don't need you, I do it myself" ( with hand up and in my face). This is that moment in time when you freeze because you're not sure how to "control" what's going to happen. I embrace the fact that it's not gonna be pretty but it's also gonna get a lot worse before it gets better. Also, I'm pausing to inquire: "Why isn't Jeff here to deal with this?"
Today Kai discovered the power of unrolling the toilet paper roll - it was really only a matter of time. That device is way cool to a 2 year old. He called me to announce he was done and upon finding that he has generously layering it into the toilet... he then says, "I covered up the poop" and takes off to get his sticker. I am left to brainstorm how to proceed and we have guests over... thank you Liana and Sai for "getting it". There wasn't much brainstorming to do, there was really only one way to extract the TP - yes I had to do the unthinkable... and while I'm doing the unthinkable (hand meet toilet, toilet meet hand!), I'm thinking... this isn't going to be the last time, is it?
So seconds following the incident I'm trying to use this as a "teachable moment" with Kai who is being slightly ADHD and he doesn't even remember the moment just happened...He's asking good questions:
me: "Kai, we don't put that much toilet paper in the toilet"
Kai: "why?"
me: "because it can't fit down the toilet"
Kai: "why?"
me: { thinking.... because the pipes aren't big enough, damn it why aren't the pipes bigger?}...
Kai: staring at me, waiting for reasonable explanation as to why pipes not big enough...
me: got nothing..."we just don't do it".and Kai's down the stairs already.
BREATHE!
So if you're over and there's no toilet paper on the toilet paper roll, consider yourself saved from clogging the toilet up right behind Kai but getting blamed for it. Your welcome! In fact, maybe you should BYOTP- bring your own toilet paper- this is safest option and it will be locked in the safe for emergencies only ( sorry Jeff).
So then moving right along in the process, my routine question, "Did you wash your hands?" and Kai's lightning quick response, "Yep momma", when clearly he hasn't. Already? He's already avoiding washing his hands!... Can I blame Q genetics yet? Later, same question to Kai and the response has changed, "No" with no shame... !
In OT school we learned loads about reflective practice. This is the concept that I can reflect on daily, weekly or monthly practice experiences and possibly change how I do things in the future. So I'm applying this concept to my term, reflective parenting. Only problem is, reflective parenting doesn't occurr after every day, week or month, it's literally second to second with these boys. I need to stay on top of where my next minute is going or my hands are gonna be meeting all kinds of new places.
{Thank you OT, that $30,000 masters education just earned me a degree in toilet training 101 with Kai.}
So we're like 100 shades of toilet training over here and Thank God that "Dora, Boots and The Map" are on or I'd never get a second to turn off the parenting brain.