The Queen on her Throne

We are in the stage of life that most people we know are, recently potty trained or are in the midst of it themselves.
I was thinking about you all and actually praying for you when I realized that I just might the unofficial "Queen of the Potty."
I have potty trained more than 35 kids in my life. (I used to say I got my BS in bs. Then I got my masters and now I am a well educated bottom wiper! )
I taught kids who had limited physical abilities and kids who had VERY limited mental abilities how to be independent toileters. Poo stories-- I've got a million.
Now you might be saying to yourself:
Why is this important?
Or if you are my dad- getting hives just thinking about what I might say next.
If you fall into the second- just skip to the end where there's a picture.

If you are still with me.. take heart fellow warrior!
Things I've learned over the years:
Sometimes it's not whether the child is ready- it's if you are. A very motivated Momma is the #1 key to success. Why? Because you will stick with it. It's important to you. And you want to do it. If you try it and it's just not right. Don't sweat it. Either try again later or stick with it. But be all in if you stick with it.
When you are in it- it seems SOOOOOOO much longer that it really is. Think about it. How long did it take for your child to be a clean eater? They're not already? But they've been eating from a spoon since they were 6 months old! They really should be good that it by now, right? I know I still need an occasional napkin and I've been eating for a LONG time too. Tell yourself this as you are cleaning off poo from the walls, sheets, toilet and hosing your child off in the shower.
Think of potty training as a new skill to learn like a using spoon or writing your name- NOT a will of obedience. MOST kids just need help making the connection between what is happening in their body and how to act. It is rare that peeing on the carpet for the tenth time in a row is disobedience. As hard as that is to remember when you are cleaning it up for the 10th time in an hour! (But if this is you- let me know I WILL pray for you!) :)

Some helpful hints I use are:
Don't ask if they need to go. Say it's time to go.
If there is an accident- have a catch phrase like," Uh oh. Pee pee goes in the potty." And then take them there. (and as a side note: having children clean up their own accidents is not something I recommend. Think about the eating/spoon thing again. Reinforce when they go on the potty not just focus on the times they missed.)
Set a timer for you to remember to take your child. But once they have been doing it for a few days back off. Let them take the lead and go by themselves. Remember that is your ultimate goal. EVEN IF YOU MAY HAVE A FEW MORE ACCIDENTS!
Make the potty a wonderful place to be. Potty parties and potty songs make kids feel good.
Have lots of changes of clothes, travel with lots of changes of clothes and get used to doing laundry. Most kids are not fully potty trained (all night) until the age of 6!
But one of the number one practical ways I suggest is to pray. Pray specifically and earnestly (this is done usually while cleaning up the carpet) that your child will learn this new and useful skill.
It's OK if it's hard. Somethings are. Some kids don't fit a perfect plan. Most will use a combination of a few plans.
You are not better than anyone if it was easy for your child to potty train. It's usually the kid that did it. :)
You are not a bad parent if this is a hard time for you. You probably had a "easy baby" and now it's evened out. :)

There are tons of ways and personal stories on the internet of how to do it the "right" way. Do it in a day, use rewards, get a doll. But just like everything else you've learned with your child in the last 2 years- they are unique and special. And sometimes potty training queens aren't in your shoes and don't live at your house.
You can do it. You can do it. You can do it! Think of how hard labor was- this is easy! Or how the millions and billions of women who have potty trained their children without the use of Elmo potty time videos. It can be done. You too can get your BS in bs- just be a momma!

1 Corinthians 15:51

⁵¹Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—