To See The World From The Eyes of a Child In Potty Training

Oh, what a perspective! The loo has never been (and probably will not be again in the future) so much fun! Rewards, dances, songs ... all for hitting the "target".

We've found success, and along the way, we've traveled down various paths:

• Cheerios: bad idea. They just upset my son because I threw them in the potty when they should in fact be eaten.
• Songs and Dances: work when he's in the mood, otherwise forget it.
• Stickers: Good, but then he starts negotiating for more. Really? A 2-year old in the process of mastering negotiations. I'm worried what I'll be giving up when it's time to get him to part with his blankie.
• The "potty bell" introduced by grandma: love the concept, but it only works at her house. works like a charm, though! Set the timer on the stove, When the bell goes off, time to visit the potty!
• Food Rewards: good, when he was hungry, otherwise out of obstinance he'd just refuse. OR, it would backfire, and he'd insist on going potty again and again and again so he could get more treats.
• The "I'm gonna get you" tactic: resistance going potty? No problem. I go first .. then he has to have his pee pee get my pee pee. This actually worked really well with my little warrior. He loved "knocking my pee pee down" with his pee pee. Got him nearly every time.
• Food Coloring (another brilliant grandma idea): variation on the "I'm gonna get you" tactic - squirt a bit of food coloring in the potty water and initiate target practice.

I'm sure I attempted other forms of blatant bribery and manipulation which I'm forgetting but it's all good! In the end, no one (especially mama) is emotionally scarred, and we have potty success!

In closure, my son, who is very happy with himself, announced that it's a boy's job to go pee pee and poo poo in the potty, and I agreed! When I asked him what a girl's job is, he announced "to wipe people's butts". And there you have it: The world from the eyes of a potty trained boy.

Don't Wanna Workout? Been There! Here are some tips ...

With an infant and a toddler in tow, it can be a challenge getting motivated enough to bundle them up for the cold weather to get to StrollerFit class at Pinnacle Sports or Summit Mall (though we all LOVE it), and sometimes I really have to talk myself into hopping on the treadmill or doing some strength work at 9p with all the verve I had mid-day while the kiddies were awake!

We all have our reasons why we say "but I don't want to" or "I can do it tomorrow ..."

BUT HERE ARE A FEW OF THE TOP REASONS I USE TO JUST DO IT. Put a few of these in your mind-file next time you start excusing yourself from that planned workout. They help!

1. I know it’ll make me feel better physically and mentally. Maybe lessen the intensity or duration, but just get that workout in. The post workout high is worth it

2. I like to set goals and create a plan. Small goals are great steps, and a plan helps me to stay focused and committed.

3. The dishes in the sink aren't going anywhere, neither are the dustbunnies on the floor. Get the workout in ... I'll feel better when I'm folding laundry and sweeping later.

4. Some days, I'll pass someone using a cane and I just think "Katie, use your body today… because you CAN"

5. If I don’t feel like doing whatever I have scheduled (run, cardio, strength, StrollerFit class, core work, you name it) I tell myself to at least do it for ~10 minutes, then if I feel like quitting I can. And most times I end up doing the whole workout. Sometimes I'm so happy I did it, I add a bit more!

5 things to put on your to do list this weekend

Are you working on your weekend to do list?

Here are a few things to be sure you add to it:

1. Be active! Get your heart rate up and sweat!
2. Take time to be thankful for all that you have in your life.
3. Be kind to others.
4. Eat veggies with every meal and snack on fruit.
5. Spend at least 20 minutes building core strength.

Make it a marvelous weekend!