Potty Training is one of my least favorite things...cleaning the bathroom after a bum uses it at a restaurant has to be my absolute least favorite but this is a close second.
Cleaning up pee off of the carpet or scraping poop out of a pair of panties is not fun. I don't greak out like most people but I am a bit of a clean freak so I'd pull out the carpet cleaner every time she made a mess on the carpet or the mop if it was on the tile. That said I do think that getting a book for reference is good. I have heard of a wide variety of methods and people who start the process at different stages. I only read the one book, which I reveiewed (Oh Crap Potty Training) so I can't say which one is best but this is my experience and what ended up working for me. For me, we went in stages that evovled over time. There were events that occured during the process that threw my daughter off (not her fault at all) and so it took several months. I learn quickly and usually don't fail at things and so I decided that I would start the process at 22 Weeks which is the earliest recommened in the Oh Crap Potty Training book by Jamie Glowacki. She admits that she failed but that she didn't have a very good support system (her friends discouraged her) and she ended up giving up. I didn't have much support either (the husband decided to have a completely hands off apporach, especially when he found out from his sister that it was difficult at that age, simply saying, "It's all up to you" and as I explained both my mother and mother-in-law have no memory of their potty training experience). We disagreed about how much money we should spend on tools to help with potty training insisting that his parents probably spent next to nothing to potty train (no one knows because his mom has no memory and his father was not involved). Either way at that point my daughter wasn't really talking and I failed miserably. The first week actually went really well but something happened that I can't identify during the second week that freaked her out. I gave it a month. I even tried setting timers on my phone for every hour and a half which Glowacki discouraged but the husband recommended. She would literally cry every time the timer went off. She would yell, "Potty alarm," and hide. Worse yet, she developed an aversion to the potty because she hated sitting on it. I'd put her on it and she would want off automatically. Part of that is she hated the small little potty that we originally bought (my mother's only suggestion was to get the most boring potty we could because otherwise it would become a toy and not to leave it out to be played with- a recommendation that Glowacki agreed with). She also didn't like sitting on the big potty with just the insert becuase she couldn't get down. After the failure, I decided to take a different tactic. I put the potty away and decided to try again after she turned two. When I started the process again in December 2020 I had a few tricks up my sleeves. I bought the insert with steps for the big potty and a 'baby potty' (as my daughter eventually called it) that looked like a toilet and had a flushing sound. I also bought two books, "Everybody Potties" and "Where's the Poop," that my daughter loved. My daughter never tried to play with the new potty (flushing actually scared her at first) but she didn't cry when she was put on it. I started with a recommendation from Glowacki where my daughter wore skirts and no underwear at first. While the first week was hard because she had an aversion for the potty (literally crying whenever I put her on it) the books helped me to get her to sit on the potty long enough that she relaxed and could go. She soon mastered using the little potty which we had in the living room- making into the bathroom was imposisble- and she was relatively independent. She would simply sit and go when she wanted. On Christmas day my father-in-law was scandalized by the potty in the living room and the fact she was panty-less but I didn't want to risk a regression just because he was uncomfortable for a day. Both of my parents condemned the practice as well when they visited for a few days during Januray because my mom thought the little potty was gross in the lviing room. Other then that the skirt phase was relatively smooth. At that point she was staritng to talk a lot more and it was a night and day diference from her first experience. At that point we were still putting her in trainers if we left the house. This was disoucraged by Glowacki who said that it would send mixed messages. Hindsight 20/20 this was defintely the case and was probably one of the reasons we would struggle later. As I said, the husband had a total hands off approach at this point (not wanting to take time out for her to sit on the potty in a public restroom) so I felt the choice was being stuck at home or put her in the trainers. He's always in a huge hurry when shopping and he thinks I spend to much money when I shop alone (he's also very opinanted on the type of food we buy-it has to be the lowest in fat, etc.) Two months later she was accident free and I decided it was time to put her in pants. This phase was the most difficult because she confused the pants with the trainers. Two months later and she was still having an accident about once a week. She hardly ever had an accident when it came to poop but it was always peeing and mostly when she was absorbed with playing. The difficult part with the pants she had to go the extra step of telling me she had to go potty which she hated (she's so independent). Even now she still struggles to pull up and down her pants so she has to ask for help. So, if I had waited until she could pull up and down her pants with ease I'd be way past when Glowacki recommends potty training (although other sources say that's fine). I was half convinced I needed to throw in the towel and just try again when she was older. I seriously couldn't believe it was taking so long to potty train. I told the husband that even on trips out whe needed to ditch the trainers, which led to some accidents in the car, but made a huge difference. We also started taking her little potty on trips (since she literally screamed bloody murder when I tried to sit her on a public potty the first few times. There is a gas station in Barstow- we went on a roadtrip to Vegas to visit some friends- that will always be burned into my memory because I can only imagine what they thought was happening). At this point, I introduced a magentic potty chart that I saw on Amazon and the incentive of a Bath Bomb with a surprise in it and that worked. While she hasn't been completely accident free for a month yet she has far less accidents and she's excited about going potty. She has also gotten over her fear of using public restrooms. She also started to prefer the big potty to the 'baby potty' so we were able to put that away. She's a little chatterbox these days and the Husband has become a little more engaged in the process. Since I'm on bed rest because of my perganancy he takes her shopping every weekend and he's learned about how often she has to go so he takes her to the restrom. There was a significant change in her behavior once he became more involved in the process. While it did take me months to get the point where we went several weeks without an accident and have more successful days then fail days...I defintely learned that potty training is a process. I'm highly suspicious of anyoen who says they trained their kid in 8 days...as the people who told me that also turned out to be the same people who's kids are still having occasional accidents. I'm sure it's probably easeier for some and more difficult for others. My daughter just hit the contrary phase of being a toddler and I can't imagine trying to train her now. So, with my second daughter I'm going to start around two and use all of the tools that worked with my oldest. The books really helped me to get her to sit on the toilet for more than a few seconds (I would put her on the potty and she'd instantly say, "I'm done!" lol). So, I recommend both Everybody Potties and Where's the Poop. The reward system with the chart really worked for us too. That gave her a reason to try even when she'd prefer to be playing with a toy in the living room. I use the chart differently than intended. She gets two Dinos for telling us she has to go potty and one Dino if I prompt her and she goes potty (at this point I know about the amount of time she can go without using the restroom). Potty training is hard. Paitience and endurance are needed. My experience is that it is easier when they are older and able to communicate. I have a very active stubborn daughter so I'm sure not everyone has the same issues. There were also a few wrenchs thrown into the works.
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There isn't anything really "new" about this New Moon. The Sun and Moon are on their own. The main aspect in this chart is the Uranus and Saturn Square. That energy is enhances Eris square Pluto that has been going on this entire year and will go into next year.
This is that churning energy that we have all year. This is a push pull between opposites. Eris and Uranus want the new exciting opportunities pushing for rebellion and the unconventional. The answer from Saturn and Pluto is simply, "No." Add to that the New Moon with all of it's misinformation aspects and it is a very screwy collective reality that we live in. Magically, Coronavirus is not an issue around the world where vaccines are accesible as of June 15th because...well because. Instead of slowly loosening restrictions it was just poof! Over. There are some that say it's because the vaccination rate has reached herd immunity but that topic has been completely muddied because natural herd immunity was discouraged and 'debunked'/'cancelled' at the start of the Pandemic. Then you have the issue of whether Biden, who has major public senior moments and lapses in judgement/memory, has the cognitive capablitily to be President even as the mainstream Media graciously ignores all fumbles (granted I'll take him over Kamala any day). Then you have the whole Lab Leak Theory being taken seriously now and it's clear the only reason it wasn't taken seriously before was because Trump said it was true. On top of that you have the government saying UFO's/UAE's exist and the mainstream taking it seriously. All of it is a bit disoreinting and doesn't seem to be gaining any traction. They're just topics of discussion. The truth and lies are hopelessly mixed with so many agendas that it's headache inducing. All of it is developing so slowly that it's like chinese water torture. Delays are simply the norm for this year. This is the second conjunction between Uranus and Saturn. There is another one coming in November. Oracle Stone The stone I pulled for this Full Moon is Rose Quartz etched with a butterfly and the word Joy. This is interesting because Lee Harris, in his energy reading for this month, focused on creating joy. To create joy we simply need to focus on that which brings us joy. That can be anything from cooking to watching our favorite movie. Last year people were so focused on fear and being miserable that the new found freedom of not wearing a mask is actually being denied by some people (most of whom have been vaccinated). I admit the transition from full lock down, here in Califonia, to freedom is a bit shocking. Absolutely bizarre. Our medicene card, Elk, is a reminder to keep our pace. A steady pace, instead of trying to force things and hurry forward, and following a gradual process is the preferred path. So, keep up that steady pace instead rushing back to 'normal and focus on joy even as things feel uncomfortable on the collective level. Potty training is one of the most complicated tasks I've ever undertaken. I will be sharing my experience and what actually worked for me in the next blog.
Now, I do recommend this book. I can't compare it to other books because I admit this is the only one I read. I did consult online articles about potty training and they are radically different advice from this book but far less helpful (most articles, much like the ones that are written about what you should pack in your hospital bag or what to use to prepare for bringing home an infant are so motivated by advertisers that they are rendered useless). This book was highly recommended by both my sister-in-law and my husbands cousin. Their children are one and two years older than mine. My mother didn't remember potty training (she has major memory issues since her car accident) and my mother-in-law doesn't remember things that happened two hours before because of her MS. So, I was going it alone when it comes to this experience so this book was allI had to go on. That said, I don't like the author of this book as a human being. She's super harsh. I tried watching her YouTube channel and...yeah, I couldn't be friends with her. She is very domineering and judgemental. In book form that is somewhat refreshing....in videos I found her unwatchable. (She's the type of person I can see ordering something ridiculous at a food joint and having it remade five times because it doesn't 'feel right') What I liked about the book: 1. She breaks down several of the stages of potty training and makes it easy ot understand. 2. She gives a clear time frame of when to start potty training emphasing a child will 'never be ready'. 3. Does a great job describing how to prompt kids to use the bathroom. Kids naturally say, "No," every time you ask them if they need to go potty. What I don't like about this book: 1. Says the earlier you start the better but fails to explain that the earlier that you start the longer the process. 2. Troubleshooting for major issue can be summed up as, "See a Therapist." 3. Causes anxiety that if you miss the 'window' for potty training your kid will not physically be able to hold their pee (no other source suggests this as far as I can tell). 4. Discourages using books while on the potty. 5. Discourages the charts, goal setting, and rewards. 6. While the author admits she failed to potty train her son at 22 weeks that is the start of her window (and I tried it and failed horribly- I do not recommend!). On the one hand, I did enjoy the tough love attitude of this book...on the other hand it missed the mark for me in my real life experience. The book made potty training sound a lot simpler then it really is (while the author does emphasize that it is not easy there is no real acknowledgement of how difficult it can be) and while the can-do attitude of the author was inspiring it was also misleading. When potty training stretched into a several month long process instead of a week (which is emphasized in the book) I felt like a huge failure. Then I checked in with the sister-in-law and cousin to find out that their kids still have accidents even several years after 'potty training.' This book is better than nothing and as I said I would recommend it but it's probably good to get several books instead of just one (I had a hard time reading this one becuase with a child as young as 22 weeks there is no time to yourself.) This isn't going to be the easiest Moon Cycle. Not only is the New Moon fraught with a disempowered masculine and deceptive communication but it's going to culminate with a Capricorn Full Moon. What we do now is going to have a direct impact on our daily life. So this is a time for caution and using our discernment.
The Astrology Now, Acuyta Bhava Das said he chooses to see this New Moon as a reset and I've heard David Palmer say the same thing. So, that is a theme of this New Moon but there is a lot more than just that going on. We have a Stellum in Gemini where this New Moon is happening. The Norh Node, Sun, Moon and Mercury are all within this sign. Mercury is conjunct this New Moon but it is retrograde which highlights miscommunication. Mercury is the host of this New Moon but because it is retrograde he's like a waiter who is destined to get your order wrong. You put in an order for a well done steak and it comes out so bloody it's still twitching...that's the sort of energy behind this New Moon. Both of the lovers of the Zodiac- Mar's/Venus in Cancer and Sun/Moon in Gemini share the same astrological sign. However, the Sun is going to be Eclipsed by the Moon and Mars is in it's detriment-it's lowest power- in Cancer. The Divine Masculine is on the ropes during this New Moon. That means we are going to tend toward downright irrational decisions based purely on emotions. Logic has been thrown out the window during this transit. Finally, we have Neptune squaring this New Moon adding even more mental fog. Indigenous Moon New Flowers Moon This is when the new cycle of life is in full swing. The grass is green. The baby animals have started to learn how to walk and explore their world. The world seems like a new and fresh place. The first blossoms on the tree indicate the bounty of the harvest that we will reap later this year. The Apple Blossom is hte flower for this Moon Cycle. Hebrew Letter Zayin Zayin begins the word for Time, remember and remembrance. Remembering the origin of our soul is key to our spiritual development. Memeory itself is sacred. The Tarot Card The Lovers Card This is the card of Gemini. Depicted on the card is the Angel Gabriel (superconscious), the Divine Feminine (Subconscious) and the Divine Masucline (Waking Consciousness). Interestingly, during this cycle of Gemini during hte New Moon the lovers of the zodiac are sharing the same astrological sign. A key par of a relationship, Lotterhead points out, is communication. When communication occures in a relationship it can create beauty. On the opposite hand miscomunication can lead to ugliness. Medicene Card Elk This is the first time I've ever drawn this card. While we may feel as though we need to shut down everything during this Mercury Retrograde Lunar Cycle this card says otherwise. Jamie Sams shares a story of how Elk had the stamina to escape a mountain lion. Elk, Sams says, is about stamina. We need to find the right pace through this Lunar Cycle where we are proceeding forward iwht discenrment towards the high ground. Sams also emphasizes that Elk keep with their own gender when it's not mating seasons. Wiht the energy of this Full Moon it might be better to stay with like minded people instead of spending time with people who hold a differing point of view. Now may not be the time to seek compromise or recocilliation. Tools For Air I'm using White Sage which is known for bringing clarity and purification. For Water I'm using a purifying blend of essential oils. For Fire I'm using a White Candle for purity. The Mineral(Earth) Grid Clear Quartz Generator- Known for it's purity and clarification this is a wonderful stone to help enehance the energy of the grid. Jet- With all of the emotional energy of this New Moon this stone will help keep things calm. This a stone that can help calm the mind and cool emotions. Obsidian Chips- This is the stone of the Void drawing a person to the neutral place of their inner truth and enhances discernment. Amethyst- This is a detoxification and transmutation. Bloodstone- This potent stone is known for it's healing and purifying properties which will help us with this potentially toxic period of communication. Smoky Quartz- A stone of trnasmuation and balance. Again, this will help us with our discernment. Conclusion As David Palmer has pointed out right now there is so much mutable energy that the moment we think that something is real and solid the rug will be pulled underneith us. Both Rick Levine and Acutya Bhava Das have emphasized the Uranus and Saturn square that is happening for the second time this year (it will happen a third time in November). Uranus wants to forge ahead but Saturn is holding up a stop sign (delays). Instead of banging our head against these proverbial walls the best thing we can do is focus on keeping a steady pace relying on our Stamina to get us through as indicated by the Elk Card. References Callahan, Kathy (2010). The Path of the Medicene Wheel. Dobin, Joel C. (1999) Kabbalistic Astrology Hoffman, Edward. (1998). Edward Hoffman Lotterhead, Jason. (1989) Thusday Night Tarot Sams, Jamie. () Animal Medicene Cards |
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Brave Soul! May Your Journey On The Path Of The Seeker Bring You Joy and Peace! I'm currently posting every Saturday. With a new addition the family I have pre-scheduled most posts through December 2022. Full Moon Posts will contain up-to-date content when I can get to them. Thank you so much for your support and understanding! This is a place where you can encounter new spiritual ideas that have helped me develop as an Individual On The Path of the Seeker. Take or Leave this information as you see fit. Archives
April 2024
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