Up Down and Potty Party!

Some people might think potty training a 1 year old is totally nuts, but in many parts of the world, early potty training, or a similar concept, elimination communication, is pretty much standard practice (though ERers don't like the word "train"). And while we aren't die hard ECers who started at birth, we are introducing Dalia to the potty and letting her use it when we think she needs to. She is an active participant in this process, saying "pee" when she successfully went in the little potty today (for the third time this week). This is not rocket science, people. Sure it takes a long time, but, what else do I have to do? It is like learning how to breast feed, learning how to eat, crawl and walk.

TMI?

I guess some may think so, but this is a place where we shares the trials and tribulations of being new-ish parents. So if you aren't interested fast forward! But I have to warn ya, the first photo is a good one, if you can recognize the main event.

Now, of course we took privacy into account. I bet Dalia is going to LOVE this one day:

We are also going to invest in the snap on toilet. Anyone know of an elmo one? Oh and we spared most viewers the actual potty photo, but some chosen

unlucky family members were not spared.

So for those of you who are interested in trying this or just plain confused/shocked/perplexed here are some helpful websites, interesting stuff

Some EC links:

EC community

Nappy Free video

Helpful tidbits

EC clothing/potty pants

In action #1

In action #2

If my mom didn't already think I was an insane hippy-leaning weirdo, she certainly does now :) We will obviously still be using our amazing stash of cloth diapers for some time, but we are still moving toward a diaper free Dalia.

I thought I would also share a couple of cute Dalia playing photos:

Kuddos to Grandma for picking out this sweet riding toy. Dalia loves it!

Dalia is a ball of fun these days and she loves to play. She LOVES to play "up down" at all hours, including dinner time (and at three am).

Check out this video of Dalia playing "up down" with daddy:

Oh and that frame on the wall that still has the original packaging?

Yep, that is major class right there.

Ciao!

Up and Down, Parenting Dos

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You may notice that we don't yet have any baby gates up. Yes, even on the (few) stairs. In a lot of ways, this is one example of how our parenting style is a little different from the norm.

One thing that is important to us is using the word "no" extremely sparingly. When a child hears the word no a zillion times a day, it not only means less each time you say it, it also emphasizes the behaviors you don't want to highlight. Children are also notorious for imitating their parents--so, you guessed it, you say no a million trillion times all day long, your child will also say no back to you. It all boils down to respectful discipline and understanding that your child is her own person. We treat Dalia with respect as we would any other human being. We treat other children with respect because they are human beings. And in the end, we want Dalia to treat herself with respect, her parents with respect, and other human beings (and animals) with respect.

Three words: empathy, compassion, and respect.

These are the core values of our little family of three.

So we let her climb the stairs. She did fall down and she was very scared, but that is ok. I was there for her and she learned that sitting on stairs doesn't work. I do not let her climb on the stairs when I am not looking, but I don't jump up and say NO NO NO DANGEROUS, because climbing stairs is an important skill. And she felt empowered when she accomplished it!

We have said no to Dalia basically one time. And now at 12 1/2 months, she never ever touches electrical cords. In fact, they are abound in our home and she crawls right past them. I no longer get nervous, though I watch her. She looks at me sometimes (and acknowledges that touching it would be a no no). It isn't about changing your whole world so your child is always protected, it is about teaching your child right from wrong.

It is about teaching your child to make the right decisions. And we value Dalia making her own decisions because we know that she is (with guidance) capable of learning and growing without too much intervention.