Unless you have a child on the spectrum, you probably don’t know about the associated potty issues. Riley could speak in short sentences at 14 months. When it came time to potty training we thought we had it “in the can.” After all, she’s incredibly smart, right? Well, smart has nothing to do with recognizing bodily sensations. Or with the fine motor skills required for wiping. Or with the fight or flight response that comes over her when confronted with seemingly daunting tasks.
Five and a half. She was five (and a half) when it finally happened and now at six (and a half) she still needs some help.
This child goes potty at 7 AM and then holds it all day until 3:30 when she gets home from school. You see, the sink in the children’s bathroom is too hard to turn on, and she would never not wash her hands. The flush in the nurse’s office is too loud, so that bathroom is out too.
Even at 3:30 when she gets home she fights me.
“No! I don’t have to go!” she’ll say as she wiggles all over the place.
But I’ve found a strategy.
Somehow if she’s doing it for me, she feels backed into a corner.
However,if,in a high pitched puppet show voice I say,
“Riley….this is your poor bladder. Help me out here! I’m about to burst!”
She will giggle and get on the potty.
“Riley…I am so full? What did you drink today? A swimming pool?”
She’ll start to go.
Once she’s “in the swing,” I can leave.
Yesterday I turned toward the door and she stopped me.
“Mom. I think my poor colon has something to say too?”
Who says these kids lack empathy?
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11 comments:
Laughed til I cried over this one, Michelle.
Really cried. Evan had potty issues, too, and I didn't have one tenth your skills to handle it. No puppet voices. No brilliant ideas. No beautiful stories. Just an ongoing struggle.
Your stories can save the sanity of a million mothers like me, the ones with plenty of love and willingness but not the endless, endless patience and imagination you put to good use every day.
And Riley? God bless that child. She's brilliant and beautiful and headed for the same kind of impact on the world her mother has. Lord, girl—her colon speaks!
I wish you were my mommy when I was little, then I might have had a chance at being nearly as ingenious as the two of you. So funny!
Funny how potty issues show up in a number of ways in kids. My son wasn't fully trained until about 4. He had no trouble sitting in his own "stuff" and said he didn't feel it coming for the longest time. It was one of the hardest parenting issues I faced in his young life. My daughter (even at 12) HATES auto flush toilets and has been known to "hold it" until another normal toilet can be found. I guess we all have our potty issues in some way or another. Good for you for finding the things that work and teaching Riley how to work around her concerns and take care of her body.
"My poor colan!" You made me laugh so hard! My kids used to respond when I put my hair up crazy, wore outlandish glasses and spoke in a seriously southern accent. (Called myself Mrs. R) They'd do anything for Mrs. R. (need to bring her back I think)
My 'special' guy is almost 16 and still will not use a public bathroom. We drove (just kids and I) to NC to visit my mom ...14 hours.... and he refused to go anywhere along the way! Maybe they are equipped with stronger internal systems?
Sounds like you're onto some great tricks to help her along!
Got one that will only poop at home. Period. And one that will only poop at home, in a pull-up. Period. I'd pay a million dollars to have this not be the case. Totally relate to this posting, now I'm depressed!
weird ...that is exactly how I get Adam to go pee on the days when he would rather hold it forever...so glad I am not the only bladder impersonater.
...so, if Riley and Adam married neither of them would be fazed by the talking bladder...
Riley and Adam are TOTALLY getting married. We will be the best mother-in-laws ever!
Potty issues are the most frustrating in the world! My seven-year-old has chosen to exert her minimal amount of control over her world by holding it as long as she can. That = many many bladder infections over the years and no matter how much we talk about it logically, she won't listen to me. She'll listen to her father's index finger, though (Mr. Finger, as he's known). Too bad he can't travel with her everywhere.
Oh my gosh! LOL! That is funny.
You are the best.
:)
The best MIL's. It's true. And they could have as many trampolines as necessary in their dining room.
HAHA !! this will solve itself.. We used to have a "Bathroom Obsession" TRY EM' ALL I used to feel like saying 24/7 .. UGH! BUT,it went away ...was years ago & NOT missed....... :)
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