Potty Training!!!

Potty Prep

Is it Time to Try?

If you're not sure when to introduce the potty, consider more than your child's age. Watch for these six important signs, says Elissa Levine, MD, a pediatrician in Charlotte, North Carolina. (It may still help to know that girls are typically ready to start training at around 2 1/2 and boys at about 3.)


Your child shows an interest in the potty process. For instance, he follows you into the bathroom or wants to flush.
She tells you when she's about to poop or pee or you can see from her squatting, grunts, or facial expressions that she's about to go.
He wants to be changed after pooping.
She's not constipated.
You have a reasonable amount of time and energy to devote to this intensive, sometimes frustrating process.
There aren't any major events going on in the family, such as a new baby or a recent move.

Pre-Training Training

Before the "official" toilet training begins, warm him up to the idea with these tips from Parents advisor Ari Brown, MD, a pediatrician and coauthor of Toddler 411.


Explain the bathroom routine in positive, child-friendly terms. During a diaper change, you can say, "When we eat or drink, our body takes what it needs and then the rest gets turned into pee or poop. It's like our body's garbage."
Be a role model. Let your child watch you use the potty. Although it might seem strange, Dad may want to sit down while peeing at the beginning in order to simplify the process for your toddler.
Pretend that her doll or stuffed animal is using the potty. Seeing her "friend" go through the motions in a relaxed, playful setting can relieve any stress she may feel about graduating to the potty.
Practice sitting on it. Suggest visits to the potty first thing in the morning, before her bath, and before bedtime. Just don't expect success at this point. Getting her on a schedule early may save you from constantly asking her to go when the real training kicks in

Fast Chicken Meals Kids will Love

Ginger-Chicken Kabobs
Makes: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving
Calories 167
Total Fat (g) 3
Carbohydrate (g) 8
Fiber (g) 1
Protein (g) 27
Calcium (DV%) 0
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Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Ingredients

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken-breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon grated ginger
2 gloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup fresh pineapple cubes
1 medium red or green pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
Directions

1. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Add cilantro, ginger, garlic, oil, coriander, cumin, salt, and nutmeg to bag. Seal bag and set in a shallow dish. Turn and press bag to coat chicken. Chill for at least 2 hours or up to 6 hours.

2. Heat grill or broiler. On eight 10- to 12-inch skewers, skewer chicken, pineapple and sweet pepper, leaving a 1/4-inch space between pieces.

3. Place kabobs on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat. Grill for 8 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to brown evenly. To broil, place kabobs on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Broil 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 8 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally to brown evenly.

Rowyn's New Word

I am in a panic with Rowyn's new word... Titty!!!! I have not taught her this word nor do I allow her to watch TV programs that would include this word.

It is not a big deal that she learn the word and I am impressed that she is using it to identify the correct body part, but where did it come from. I always use the word "Ninny" when she asks or points to that body part.

Here is why I am in a panic..... last night she was playing with my sister and they were laughing and being silly. Rowyn then lifts up her shirt and says "look at my tittys". I don't want this to happen in public or ever again. I would like her to be a lady and no what is proper and improper. Any suggestions of what I can do?

Curried Apple and Chicken Soup

Shredded apples add sweetness and texture that kids will eat up.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

You Will Need:

2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
1 container (32 oz.) chicken broth
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and shredded
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced


In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and curry powder, cover, and cook until onion is soft, about 8 minutes. Add ginger and cook 1 minute more. Stir in broth and applesauce, increase heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 5 minutes.
Stir in shredded apple and diced chicken. Simmer 2 minutes, until chicken is cooked. Makes 8 cups.

Nutrition per cup: 137 cal; 14g protein; 4g fat; 11g carb; 13mg calcium; 1g fiber.

Toddler Games

The Hot or Cold Game

How to play: Choose one child to be the "Finder." Send him out of the room while the rest of the players hide an object, like a red ball, somewhere in the room. Ask the Finder to come back and look for the ball, while the other players shout out hints: "You're getting hotter" or "you're getting colder." Play until the object is found, then give everyone a turn as the Finder.

What it teaches: Cooperation. This game puts the emphasis on encouraging other players, not competing against them, so preschoolers learn to help each other out in a fun setting.

Parent tip: Try asking kids to speak louder or softer depending on how close or far away the Finder is from the hidden object.

No more pacifier

Rowyn started a new school on January 11th and I love it!!! Since starting the new school she is, sleeping better and we have also kicked the pacifier (pappy) habit. It took 3 days and the pappy was gone. If I would have known it was going to be so easy, I would have done it long ago.

Rowyn and I are gearing up for her 2nd birthday. I can't believe that it has been two years that I recieved the miracle that my life needed.

Catching Up

I have been slacking on my posts for a while now, but will be back on track!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday season.