February 25, 2009

New Mom?? Check This Out…

Many of you know that I am a new Mom, mother to my little boy, Seven. We tried for so long to have him that I guess I glorified in that time the ease of Motherhood. It seemed the toughest part for us was going to be actually producing a baby, not raising it.

Hmmm. Wishful thinking.

Not that Seven is trouble. He isn’t. He has more energy than I do, yes, but that’s to be expected. He definitely has his own personality, which I love and love watching develop. I wouldn’t trade him for the world…especially at night. When we lay him down in bed and say goodnight, he sweetly coos – “Bye, Ciao, Nitenite“…in a voice that I wish I could bottle and carry around with me.

Seven is now approaching 18 months old. I kind of dreaded this age, as it seems like the age that so many others assign as the Potty Training Time. This kind of freaks me out. Potty Training. He seems too young to me for this, but for about a week I’ve succumbed to the idea and have been holding him over the toilet at bath time, encouraging him to go. Which he does, but only after I put him into his bath. It’s a losing battle. He is too young. He is too young to understand what I mean by peepee in the potty. I don’t know what age he will grasp it, but now is not that time. So where does that leave me?

Here.

A solution, or at least a book that makes me feel better about not having a child prodigy bathroom user. Out of the Mouths of Babes by Dyan Eybergen is that book. When the ladies over at MotherTalk sent out info on it, I knew I had to get my hands on it. A whole section devoted to Potty Training? Oh yeah. I wanted some insight.

The first chapter of the Toilet Training Section helped me breathe. I know that sounds ridiculous, but here was something I had been aching to hear. My son is too young. Sure, I know there are kids out there Seven’s age that can use the toilet. Sure there are. I personally don’t know any, but that’s not the point. Seven is too young. He’s not ready. And this book has shown me the signs that will let me know when he is ready. So now I am prepared. No longer will we sit uncomfortably on the potty at bath time – and Dyan explains why not to do this in terms we adults can understand. I will know when Seven is ready. I will know. You can’t imagine the relief I feel knowing that I am not a negligent mother.

Studded throughout this very informative book are quips from the author’s family, namely her small children, and I found myself giggling constantly. The book is worth the price just for these adorable quotes! Here is one of my favorite:

(The day before, Mom’s car wouldn’t start so Dad put in gas-line antifreeze to get it going.)

“Mom, you’d better make sure you put in some of that ass line panty freeze, or your car might not start again.” – Ryan, age 4

Great book, everyone. New Moms – Dyan just might be your best friend. She gets you.