Tales of Potty training and fighting...

It has been an uphill battle to potty train this kid. M is so much like D and myself... So with M like me I need to make him feel it's his decision and choice to go to the bathroom. Not me telling him to do it. in the beginning around 17 months he wanted to use the potty and was happy with just a dance or clapping. So we decided to just put him in pull ups during the day and night time use diapers.. Now he is almost at 34 months... When we started the new daycare at 32 months we went to UNDERWEAR!! I was so nervous and never thought that my son would have more than me.. but we needed spares and ones that we didn't care if we threw out.. so after countless wet and soiled underwear/pants cleaning he is getting it.. (crossing fingers)

He is now telling us that he needs to go and we only tell him to go when we go out or before eating a meal. Now we need to train him to go on his own but I have learned these important items with my son:

1. DO NOT pressure him.
2. Do not punish him for making a mistake. Just say it's okay accidents happen. Let's clean up and maybe next time you'll make it to the bathroom.
3. Do a happy potty dance for when he goes and when he is still dry in his underwear.
4. End of day rewards.. Weather it be frozen yogurt, ice cream or just a dinner with the two of us.. Just to show how proud i am of him.
5. Every other day or so take him to toys r us and let him pick his prize.

He is a smart baby and catches on.... He knows how to work his mommy and daddy.

Fighting:
D and I need to work on not arguing so much in front of M. I see that it affects him more than anything. I feel so bad because he woke up so many times last night. Now if only I can get D to be on board that I am ALWAYS right train.. ;-P In all serious-ness I will work on not being so hard on D. He does do a lot for our family.