Raising a child is not easy...well, the word child and easy should not even be used in the same sentence (at least that's how I feel). I probably would use the word "less challenging" for all the mothering experiences I've been through (if there was anything less challenging). The second half of Sam's first year of life is probably the least challenging so far. The first six months? Well, let's see...he wouldn't latch on me so breastfeeding was out, making me feel disappointed and unaccomplished; the waking up every 2 hours to feed and change diaper leaving me sleep deprived, cranky, and ugly (with black rings around my eyes, not to mention the eye bags that came with it). Then he turned 6 months and minus the teething and the crying that came with it, it was smooth sailing until he turned 1 year old.
When Sam was 10 months old, he started to walk. At the time, he only walks; no running, no climbing. Then he turned 1 and he wanted to scale everything that is a foot taller than him. There is the challenge of switching him from formula to whole milk, switching from bottle to sippy cup (or straw), and transitioning from pureed foods to chopped meals. Then the frustration increased when Sam was 18 months and started getting picky with food. The constant travels from VA to Hawaii didn't help either because his sleep cycle was just out of whack, not to mention the fact that he will not sleep in his crib.
Terrible two's started early for Sam as well. He is strong willed, and knows what he wants. I guess the word I would use for his attitude would be unyielding. He is unyielding. And so the battle of wills was constant throughout the second year of life. It was really exciting when he started to talk, saying a few words here and there at first. Then he started stringing sentences...it was amazing to see the progression. Now, I have moments where I just want to tell him to stop talking and give my ears a break. Asking how, why, and how interchangeably throughout the day for every single thing he sees, hears, watches or tv, well....you get the picture.
Looking back, all of those challenges and frustrations do not amount to the enormous challenge of potty training. I feel like I keep slamming my head against the wall. Potty training came late to Sam. Whereas most kids his age (he is 3 years 5 months give or take) are already potty trained at this point, Sam is still getting the hang of it. It's not that we didn't try early on, he just wasn't interested. Most literature will tell you to wait until they show interest to prevent frustration. I waited, the frustration isn't any less. And I go back to Sam's unyielding attitude, plus the fact that he wants to be independent. And voila! A recipe for disaster.
Traveling to Hawaii while potty training was not exactly a good move for us either. And coming back from Hawaii, well, lets just say we had to start over twice. We probably spent hundreds of dollars buying every potty and/or contraption related to potty training just to get the ball rolling. At the end of the day, Sam did what he wanted to do in his own time.
It look a lot of coaxing, threatening, and trips to the toy store (reward for pooping in the toilet), but we are finally there. We still have our occasional accidents when he doesn't make it to the bathroom on time. I do thank my lucky stars at this point that the worst is over. Now, i'm just bracing myself for what is next.
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