About this blog.

My son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at 24 months. I created this blog to bring meaning to the often-confusing label. Sometimes I have answers. Other times, just more questions.

Friday, October 24, 2008

The Countdown, Part II

We're living on borrowed potty time. See, when Jeremy was born, we bought two of the Neat diaper system, which is comprised of a diaper pail and special bags. The Neat system was discontinued in 2007, at which time we stocked up on the bag refills.

Here's all we have left.




That's 8 refills. Each refill lasts approximately 1.5 weeks. So that's about 3 months.

I will NOT buy a new diaper pail. I got suckered into one diaper pail racket - never again.

As of today, Brad does "potty time," but he doesn't get it. He doesn't hold it in. He has peed in the potty a few times, but it wasn't his idea. I've given him underwear time twice, just to give him the experience of peeing himself.

That's the status. 8 refills to go. The countdown starts.

16 comments:

KK said...

I hope that your 3 month countdown works, but I've got to tell you that I drove myself nuts with potty training for more than a year and then all of sudden they just "got it." True, it took until they were ALMOST 4, but it was like a switch just got flipped one day and it all made sense. So don't kill yourself with it - he'll get it.

Laura said...

I know, but I'm stubborn. :-)

Patience said...

I made sure that there was a potty on every floor of the house (borrow some from friends) or even in every room?
I just kept persisting and dd was trained at 3 yrs 3 months.
I don't like pull ups if you are serious about training. I like to let them go naked from the waist down so they can see what's happening.
If potty treats work; use them; you can fade them later.
One person suggested with boys to put coloured strips of tissue in a toilet bowl and have them aim at them.
He will train eventually; you can count on that.

Quirky Mom said...

Good luck!

We had good luck with PTing initially, some minor setbacks, and then Apple hit her stride for a good while.

Until we asked her teachers to try to help her engage with other kids in her prechool class. She regressed badly, and we had to take her panties away. After a few weeks she was back to panties and has been having only the occasional (once every couple of weeks) accident.

Laura said...

Patience - thanks! Really interesting idea about colored paper.

Quirky Mom - I have gone through this with Brad's big bro. Brad of course is different, and the jury is out as to how that difference will play out here.

The way I see it, mammals are born with the instinct to not shit where they eat and sleep. We deprogram that out of them with diapers. You take the diapers away, gradually, and instinct will kick in. As for the idea that spectrumites per se need more time, I'm not sure if I buy it. But I guess I'll find out.

Judith U. said...

I like the whole eating/sleeping/not shitting concept. Hadn't really thought of it that way.

I hope it's an easy transition. We're doing pretty well on the potty training front, but strictly on a timed basis. Jack hasn't learned how to request to go yet. I know it will come in time...

And yes .. he will get it.

Laura said...

That's awesome Judith!

tracey (aka rainbowmummy) said...

Egg is 5 and has been out of nappies for about 2 years. It was hard but you know it will happen. I am sure as this is your second time around that you are a pro (try putting THAT on your CV!!) but I have to recommend the piddle pad. It goes in car seats and prams, even high chairs I guess. It is waterproof so any accidents go there instead of the car seat etc. Waterproof mattress! And it is better to pee on the floor than pee in a nappy (though I don't remember being so upbeat at the time, lol) I also read that putting blue food dye down the loo makes green (you know +"yellow") and red and "yellow will give you orange.
You soooo have the right attitude "that's it when the bags are done that is it!!"! When Egg's dad went away on a work trip I removed Egg's bed time nappies and got rid of his dummy. Egg now gets woken up at midnight for a pee. Not sure how we will stop this, as if we don't take him he wets the bed.
I know this sucks, so good luck!

Laura said...

piddle pad? heeee. I want one just so I can say that more. Thanks for the rec.

tracey (aka rainbowmummy) said...

Laura, don't mock the piddle pad, it is after all it's technical name LMAO

I have not used this company before but here is a link so you can see it. Ours was blue. I used to have Egg sit on it in taxis and the driver what look at me really oddly! BTW he never actually peed on it, but it great for peace of mind!

http://www.thebabycatalogue.com/prodinfo.asp?number=BW2006

Patience said...

We have two of those piddle pads (used them for night wetting for my fourth) Now that's she's dry; they came in handy last night when our waterbed sprung a leak. They are also useful for taking to parks to sit on so no wasted money buying a few.

Anonymous said...

Oh no! Love the "living on borrowed potty time." =)
Sending lots of "dry" thoughts your way.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Laura - First of all, I am posting under my husband's google account since I don't have one and I am always too time-crunched to do my own.

I originally read your blog when you first started. The post was something like "Early Intervention Sucks."

OUCH! Being a pediatric SLP who specializes in early intervention, I didn't keep reading. It hit a little too close to home.

I've thought about that title often when I'm sitting in someone's home and about to deliver gut-wrenching news. Sometimes in my reports I want to re-label the section "Diagnostic Impressions" as
"Dream Killer" or "Confirmation of Your Worst Fears."

I found your blog again tonight while on someone else's, and I immediately recognized it. I'm happy to know that your son is making progress. I love your treatment decisions for him, and I think your blog is such a good resource for parents. I'd love to recommend it on my website if it's okay with you. Thanks! Laura@teachmetotalk.com

Laura said...

*puts on serious face* fine, I'll look into a piddle pad. ;-)

SLP - I'd be flattered if you linked to me, and thank YOU and SLPs like you. My SLP is now among my most trusted advisors.

I wish I could give you advice as to how to soften that blow, but I have none. But think of it this way: the "blow" is an essential part of the journey. You can't skip that step, and the anger and irrationality that comes with it.

Anonymous said...

I can't blame you. As far as I can tell from my own experience and others' experiences, diaper pails are a colossal waste of money. Yay for countdowns!