It's A Potty Party! By Karen O'Neil, BS, CCLS, Quad Mom Originally printed in November, 2004 There was no invitation needed. Perhaps if there were, it would have read something like this: WHAT: Potty Party WHERE: Quad's Pod WHEN: When nature calls DRESS: Casual, bare bum RSVP: PEE-WITH ME/(733) 948-4631 Please bring your sense of humor and lots of clean underwear! It happened one day in February. Valentine's Day to be exact. We went to Toys-R-Us to buy four new additions: potties! After unloading from the van, our children couldn't wait to get into the store. We got two carts and headed for the "bath aisle." I was amazed at the selection of potties! Do we get the ones that flush, play music or stick with just a basic one? We opted for one that had a flush. Hey, anything to make toilet teaching easier! Each cart had two children and two potties. Some shopper comments: "Wow, that's a lot of potties!" (Yes it is!) To Tim and I: "Are you two together?" (I hope so!) After leaving the bath aisle, everyone had a chance to choose a book as their potty companion. They were bursting at the seams the whole way home! We emptied our purchases and the unveiling occurred. It was like Christmas morning (with the exception of a dead tree in the middle of my living room) - boxes and plastic wrapping everywhere, lots of laughter and twinkles in their eyes... Yes, really! We lined up each toilet and, as if on cue, they sat down and christened each one! Then, the parade began. Everyone very proudly emptied their urine into the big toilet. After washing and drying hands, and putting potty seats back in their respective places, it was time to decorate. Everyone personalized their throne with stickers and a photo of him/herself on the toilet lid. Masterpieces, as you can imagine? I shot a roll of film during the momentous occasion... I hear these pictures are good to dig up just before first dates! That night, when all was quiet and the last potty had been flushed, I thought about our new milestone. The images ran through my mind: their smiling faces, all of them sitting together cheering each other on, and their enthusiasm of this new experience. One word summed up the day: FUN! Certainly not a word most people associate with toilet training, yet amazingly, that's what it's been for us. Okay, except when they have diarrhea... in underwear... in their car seats. Our potty party continued. During the following week, we designated the hallway between our playroom and kitchen as our "Quad Pod," complete with a sign and each potty lined up underneath. I made sticker charts to hang above each potty. Yes, I have one too, even though I rarely have time to pee, never mind put a sticker on a chart! I have some help in reminding me though - "Mommmmmy, you forgot your sticker!" We made a collage with the pictures we had of everyone using their potty for the first time. We own every childrens book written about going potty, which are conveniently located all throughout the hallway. Think subliminal messages here! I figured the more inviting we made the atmosphere surrounding them, the more they'd want to be there. Well, they practically set up camp - Yeah! And, so did I, for that matter. I've been "caught" reading those potty books by myself sitting on the floor. I guess I looked pathetically lonely, because within minutes they'd all be around me, "Whatcha reading, Mommy?" I thought you'd never ask! I added to our collage of pictures by cutting out words and pictures from parenting magazines that had to do with toilets, diapers, underwear, toilet paper, ANYTHING related to the bathroom! "Can I help too?" Sure, as I reach for the four pairs of scissors I just happened to have right here. Hee Hee. They're having such a ball, they don't even realize how much they're learning here in this hallowed hallway. Sometimes when I use the bathroom, I leave the door cracked, hoping for a visitor of course. "Oh, do you need some pwivacy, Mommy?" Actually, I've been expecting you. Come in and yes, of course, I'll share my big potty with you! We've incorporated toilet learning into many different facets of life: Gross Motor: We regularly have toilet paper parades, with everyone holding their own roll, dancing and skipping around. We use a child-sized potty seat as the hoop and play basketball. While outside, we've used their potties as bases and home plate. Each child takes their turn while focusing on the game and I get to pitch! Music: The Gap Band's hit from the 80's (Party Train) can cleverly be translated to "Potty Train." Everyone lines up and takes turns being the engine and the caboose. Make engineer hats and all-aboard! Art: Let your children lead the way and you'll be amazed at their creations. Circle Time: Using their potties as their "spot" in circle. We've also played the potty version of musical chairs, which is great amusement. Books & Videos: My favorite video on the market is "I Gotta Go!" which features the smash hits "Hottie for the Potty" and "Bye Bye Diapers, Hello Fun!" Interactive and full of lively music. Available at www.vickilew.com or by calling 1-888-842-5458. Once Upon a Potty for Him/Her: Beneficial for families with girls and boys. The Potty Book for Girls and The Potty Book for Boys by Alyssa Satin Capucilli: These are written in rhyme and show both parents as active participants in toilet teaching. Parties are one of my favorite things in life. And, there have been many: surprise parties, pool parties, slumber parties, black-tie parties, parties on cruise ships, and, of course, birthday parties. But hands down, the best party I ever attended, I didn't even need an invitation!