When my first child, Lily, was just three months old, I was eager to test out elimination communication (EC), also referred to as infant potty training. We were using cloth diapers and found ourselves without convenient access to laundry facilities, making the idea of EC appealing.
However, my initial enthusiasm quickly transformed into a lesson in reality. By six months, I thought I had deciphered her cues well enough to keep her diaper dry and clean consistently. Friends and family were fascinated by my apparent success.
As time progressed, we introduced baby sign language, and by nine months, Lily was signing whenever she needed to relieve herself. I felt a surge of pride, convinced that she would be fully potty trained by her first birthday. I couldn’t wait to show her off to our loved ones.
But as Lily approached her first birthday, the dynamics began to shift. Rather than eagerly going to the potty, she seemed to develop a strong will of her own. If I had introduced a sign for “no way,” she would have been using it liberally whenever I urged her to use the toilet. She began to assert herself, reminding me that she was a little person, not merely a project.
Despite my ongoing efforts to promote the joys of EC, the reality was far less glamorous. I found myself crafting sticker charts, desperately trying to maintain the momentum while scrubbing the inevitable mess from the floor. I had initially resisted the idea of using treats as incentives, but I soon found myself in the candy aisle at the grocery store, allowing Lily to choose her reward for using the potty. M&M’s? Gummy bears? Anything for a successful trip to the toilet.
By age two, the struggles continued, and my enthusiasm for EC waned. I began to feel a sense of failure as I watched younger children move beyond diapers, while Lily remained resistant. I had to remind myself that my disappointment was not directed at her; she was simply asserting her independence.
Eventually, I decided to take a step back from the whole process. I stopped asking her to use the potty, stopped offering stickers, and let her decide whether to wear a diaper or underwear. The breakthrough came when we went shopping for a special dress, which motivated her to embrace the idea of being potty trained. Within two weeks, the power struggles ceased.
Now at four years old, Lily proudly wears her “potty-training dress” and fondly remembers that period. While I’ve seen other parents discussing the “magic of EC” online, I recognize that it may work for some families but not for all. It’s essential to know when to adapt your approach.
I now have a second daughter, Mia, and when people ask whether I plan to implement EC with her, I simply explain that the process was too challenging with my first child. With a newborn and a toddler, I choose to let Mia learn at her own pace, without the added pressure of rigid potty training.
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In summary, the journey of elimination communication can be fraught with challenges and may not suit every family. It’s crucial to recognize your child’s individuality and adapt your methods accordingly.
Keyphrase: Elimination Communication
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