Potty Training Woes

It has been a few weeks since I have posted and the reason is potty training! My 2 1/2 year old boy has always been stubborn, but he really seems to have kicked it up a notch since we said goodbye to nappies! He decided himself that he would like to stop wearing nappies and start wearing pants. "Great!" I thought and armed with stickers, a reward chart and sweeties we embarked on potty training! I figured we would have a few days of mayhem and then he would get the hang of it....I was wrong!!

Potty training has turned into a power struggle. He knows when he needs to go, but he refuses to go on the potty or in the toilet. He will sit on both quite happily but hangs on until he gets up and straight away pees on the floor, gleefully crowing "It wasn't an accident!" I'm at my wits end.

The Lord has taught me a lot through these early years of motherhood, but I wasn't prepared for the humbling experience potty training would be. It has brought out the worst in me. First, impatience. Then selfishness, making it all about me. "Why should I have to clean this up AGAIN? You could just DO IT IN THE POTTY!!!" And finally, a bad temper which I thought I had conquered years ago. "ARGHHHHH NOT AGAIN!!" These have not been pretty things to face up to in myself, but I know yet again the Lord is teaching me through these experiences and challenging me to be patient and long-suffering as He is with me.

Absolutely as my wits end this morning, a verse popped into my head and was like balm to my soul. "My grace is sufficient for you" the Lord reminded me. Yes, God's grace is sufficient for all things.....even potty training!

That said, if anyone out there has any potty-training wisdom to offer, I would sure love to hear it!!!