is a single mama in the city, super-savvy editor, writer, video host and shameless shoe whore.
The boy's taking a stance
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 There has been a surge of independence in the household, especially for the boy. Especially for the boy in the bathroom.
In the flick of a flusher, he can -- and more importantly for a preschooler with big opinions, he will -- GO POTTY, MOMMY, ALL BY MYSELF AND YOU STAY IN THE ODDER ROOM BECAUSE I CAN DO IT ALL BY MYSELF COMPLETELY!!! And let me tell you, mamas, there is nothing that can highlight the discomfort of perching on the side of the bathtub for long periods like not having to perch on the side of the bathtub for long periods of waiting to wipe. All the steps, from pants and Elmo undies removal to hands washing, are covered. Life is good.
For Lil E, a little potty-pendence also means standing to pee. Ohhhhh, ladies, I hear you sighing along with me. Of course, I think all boys should stand tall when they let it flow. Of course. I was just really hoping my dad would be back from vacation to help the boy finesse his technique before we entered the splash zone.
For as much as Lil E has mastered the steps of GOING ALL
BY MYSELF!, let's just say there is some work to be done in pursuit of
standing. Honestly, I think it is all rather sweet. Or as sweet as pee
on the floor can be.
I peeked in to check on him a few evenings ago and he was proudly
drying his hands on a towel. Glancing at the toilet and surrounding
potty amenities, I asked how it went.
"Hey, did you pee standing up?," I asked, noting the backsplash and the
sprinkles on the stool he uses to hike himself potty-side.
"YES!" he nodded with a big grin on his face.
"And how did that go?" I asked, noting the floor and rug.
"GOOD!" he said, smiling even wider, "Reawwwy good!"
"EXCELLENT!" I cheered him on. And then I explained that a gentleman always wipes off the seat.
"What's a gentleman?" he asked and I told him it was a man or a boy with good manners who acts in kind ways.
He accepted the wad of toilet paper I handed him and my directions on
where to wipe it all up. As he circled his way from seat to stool, he
hummed.
He hummed.
"Mommy! I'm a gentleman!"
"Yes, baby." I nodded, doing my own pass through on the potty.
And then with a tone of realism that can only come in the Honesty Room
and with the emphasis of casually tossing the TP in the the toilet,
"Yeah, but sometimes I am a bad gentleman. Mostly, though, a good
gentleman."
"Yes, baby, you're right," I agreed. "Mostly a good gentleman."
We've since implemented Cheerio targets, which I've been offered to use
myself and which have helped keep the place just a wee bit cleaner.
My dad's phoned in his offers to help provide a little personalized
attention that can only pass between one more experienced gentleman and
his eager gentleman apprentice, just as soon he gets home.
Until then, I'm proud of my boy for taking a stance, all on his own.
Even if it means a little levity and a few more sprays of some
seriously-scrubby tile cleaner.
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