Potty training - part 2, a better day

I had to take a hiatus from being the major potty trainer over the weekend. After last week, I just needed a break. This week started out about the same, I'd say 50% success rate after you discount sleeping and the consistent poop.

We've been trying to react emotionless to Tobey's puddles. Make him clean it up himself and move on. Unfortunately, it started to seem like he liked cleaning up, often asking for a towel and Clorox wipes right after the puddle forms. Tom said eventually the novelty has to wear away but at the rate we were going, it seemed like that could be several weeks.

We started to notice (Tom started it) that if it was obvious Tobey had to go (doing "the dance" or literally "holding" himself), we don't suggest, we don't ask, we tell, "Tobey. Go sit on the potty." Sometimes that might be answered with a "No, I don't want to." But more insistence on our part often ends in an "Okaaayy" since it's obvious to everyone he needs to go.

That method has worked well today resulting in just one puddle so far, the puddle that happened because he wanted to wear long jeans today (how random) and therefore couldn't get them off when he went to the potty. But in our list of successes are a pre-leaving the house pee, a pre-nap pee, and even a pee while we were out. I hope this is the promise of things to come although I will just take my one half day of success while I've got it. Don't want to get my hopes up too much.