1 – The build up

This is key in my mind. Long before the actually training was underway we spoke about him going to the toilet, being a big boy like dada. While I would be filling the bath id let him sit on the toilet minus his nappy and often times he would go but not really realise what was going on. We bought a potty closer to the time and left it in the sitting room. At the start he firmly believed it was his new chair!! We kept explaining to him the purpose of it and he began to understand. My sister bought him a book called Pirate Pete which tells the story of Petes potty training. He loves his bed time story so this was a winner in the Mamma Fairy house.

2 – The supplies

I think in relation to the supplies side of potty training getting the child involved is crucial. We went together to Dunnes and he picked out the big boy pants he wanted. He also picked out the step for reaching as he calls it the “big toilet”. He picked out soft toilet wipes and a seat insert. Armed with his supplies he completely unprompted told the cashier he was a big boy now no more nappies. I took my cue from that and when we got home we “binned” the nappies. (Not really – my sister in law got them and the nappy bin, i didnt even know I needed such a thing until I had the boys see link for  more details on best diaper pails!). By letting him get the supplies etc, it became his decision to ditch the nappies.

3 – The patience!!

Without question the hardest part of the entire potty training journey. You need patience and an abundance of it. What we did was spend three days almost entirely house bound minus nappies, trousers etc. Every 15 mins on the button I lifted him on the potty, explaining to him all the time what was happening. Day 2 was pretty much the same only I started noticing him sitting on the potty without me putting him there. Day 3 another big improvement he began to realise himself what was happening and would go without me lifting him. Remarkably on the night of day 3 we woke up and he was completely dry. We have not had one night accident since he started, if he needs to go during the night he calls us and we take him, no drama and straight back to sleep. During those first 3 days there were of course the odd accident but it is essential you do not give out to them for it, it’s a learning process and getting cross will only set them back.

One thing that I will say don’t try to train them too early my son was 2 months shy of his 3 birthday as I was waiting for him to be ready. Some of the cues I noticed were him asking to have his nappy changed, telling me he was dirty and asking more questions about the toilet. My own mother gave me a great tip and that was not to get him too used to using only the potty and only in a specific spot so once I felt he was established, I would take him to the “big toilet” or when he went to my mothers house she had a different potty. It meant he was comfortable going in any toilet as I have friends who need to take a potty with them anywhere they go!

Hopefully the above helps and let me know how you are getting on.

Take care

~Mamma F

Note: This article reproduced below was written by me originally for Family Friendly HQ – see here

When people hear I am a working mother I often get those pity looks as if …..poor woman having to work with a young family. The truth is I choose to work. I like my job, in fact I even enjoy my job. I studied Business and Economics at Trinity College and went on to become an accountant that was over 10 years ago. Since then I have married an amazing man – a fantastic husband and a loving father and had two beautiful boys now aged 3 and the youngest is 4 months. Being a working mother isn’t easy, it has many challenges, it has good days and bad days. The key is to be organised and I mean super organised, I have lists about lists! I set out every evening for the following day, from clothes for myself and the boys, to tasks right down to the breakfast dishes for the following morning. Appointments are scheduled well in advance, diaries are synced. Being organised makes it a whole lot easier as too does having a great support network around you. I am lucky to be able to have both.

Of course I do feel the so called “Mummy guilt” being away from my children, however I make the most of the evenings, the weekends, the holidays. Once I come in the door everything else can wait, that time is time with the boys, the same goes for the weekends.

Growing up with working parents instilled a very strong work ethic in all three of us, we all went on to professional careers. Becoming a mother shouldn’t mean a switch goes off and you sacrifice the hopes and dreams you once had, you may have to take a different path but you can still get there in the end. I know I haven’t given up the goals and career aspirations I have set for myself. I do however accept that it will take a lot longer to get there but that is absolutely fine. The road may be longer but taking my boys on the journey with me makes it all worthwhile.

Being a working mother isn’t for everybody, for now at least I feel it is for me, as there is some grain of truth in the old saying – “Happy mother, happy child”.

Take care

~Mamma F

When I was pregnant with my first son, my own mother said to me to have an emergency kit as it will be invaluable as kids have a habit of falling ill at 10.01 just as the late night pharmacy closes. I took this advice on board and created my emergency kit and if im honest it really is invaluable especially as when kids fall ill, teething etc, you cannot say to them – wait until the morning until the pharmacy opens therefore being prepared is key.
Below are the items I have in mine:
1 Thermometer – I have a Vicks one I received as a gift, it’s really easy to use.

2 Pain relief – my emergency kit contains both Calpol and Nurofen and a recent addition has been Paralink

3 Teething relief – Calgel and Teetha. I have found teething can be worse when they are lying down at night time which is why I keep this handy just in case.

4 The Sniffles – Snuffle babe is the baby version of Vicks and I find it great for rubbing on feet when either of my two are a bit sniffly.

5 The Falls – plasters and lots of them in all shapes and sized!!!

6 Nappy rash – Caldescene cream and powder, find both brilliant for nappy rash.

My emergency kit also contains a list of emergency numbers, just in case – such as regular doctor, out of hours doctor and local hospital.

Ps – I am not a doctor or pharmacist!! And make sure to keep all medical supplies well out of the way of teeny hands.

Is there anything else you would add to yours?

Take Care
~Mamma F