Here’s why freezing foods works
So I’ve got friends coming over today and one of them is someone I haven’t seen in a long time and the other is someone I’m “fixing up” with the first. I’m excited about this playdate. Noah? Not so much. He’s playdated out. But that’s besides the point of this blog entry, which is about how glad I am to have frozen pumpkin cookies at the ready.
I had full intentions of making something lovely, something spicy so the house (on this gloomy autumn day) would smell delicious but my dearest toddler-girl had other ideas. These ideas included:
–Waking up extra-early so my head would feel full of cotton wool
–Spitting her smoothie all over the table to make her brother laugh
–Crying to find her smoothie all gone
–Trying to sit on the chunky little dollhouse potty and hurting herself in the process
–Falling off the chair she was climbing in while I was pouring my coffee
–Throwing the beads around the kitchen while I was drinking my coffee
–Weeping to find the beads thrown around the kitchen
–Eating crayons while I was washing the dishes
–Throwing her empty bowl into the wall in another misguided effort to make Noah laugh
–Asking for snacks (sesame sticks, grapes, goldfish) and then screaming, “NO!” when handed them
–Repeatedly turning the (empty) dishwasher on
In other words, if it weren’t for those pumpkin cookies in the freezer my guests would go hungry.
It was about two weeks ago that Madison discovered her inner-toddler and began the “Mine!” and “No!” common to these small people. Things that are “Mine!” include other people’s strollers and books (at the library). But she’s getting it. “Mine!” she’ll yell. “Stroh-her. No. Hers.”
This is the age where everything takes twice as long.
“Diaper change!” she demands. “Poopie!”
“Ok, let’s go,” I answer.
“NO!” she says, grabbing a book off the shelf. “I read!”
Then she notices the book isn’t one of her picture books.
“I read Mama’s book!” she says triumphantly.
“Let me know when you’re done,” I say serenely having had my coffee.
“Done! Diaper change!”
Oh the contrary world of the toddler!
She uses Daddy as a bargaining chip already. I’ll tell her she can’t do something and she’ll glower at me.
“Daddy! Want daddy!” she’ll wail. “Daddy work! Miss him! Boo-boo!”
(I love this, the way she uses “boo-boo” to signify psychological angst!)
She hasn’t peed on the potty again yet but when she asks to go I take her. Usually she asks to go while I’m going — it reminds her of what fun it is, I guess. Then she sits, makes a few tentative grunts and says apologetically, “No-o-o-o, FUSH!” It’s all about the flushing. I think that’s what she’s in this toilet gig for — what a pay-off!
I’m getting all of this encouragement to help her get out of diapers but I’m in no rush. As contrary as she’s feeling, the minute she gets the idea that I have any positive feelings about her using the potty, she’ll give it up for the next two years. I’m toying with the idea of picking up a potty seat (the kind that sit on the floor) though especially after she hurt her bum trying to sit on the miniature one this morning. I’m just not sure where to put it. If I put it in the bathroom she won’t be able to get to it without assistance (not to mention that our bathrooms are small) but if I have it anywhere else, well, it could get ugly. Between Madison and the dog — let’s just not go there.
Now I know some of you really really want to give me potty training advice so I’ll just add that I’m not looking for it. I don’t care about potty training. I don’t care if she does it or if she doesn’t and I’m just following her lead. She’s got a lot going on in her world and I’m more concerned with cutting back on her extra-curriculur flinging (bowls, toys, books, shoes) than I am about where she pees.
Could your kids be any cuter? What a great picture.
Don’t take this as potty training advice, just sharing.
In our old tiny little rowhouse in which the entire first floor functioned as one big kiddie room, we had our little potty seat in the dining room. Yes, the dining room. It was the most accessible place. And our only bathroom was on the 2nd floor so easy access was an issue. We also have a dog so one with a lid was a must, as was immediate emptying whenever possible. And that was necessary anyway since it was in our dining room! But I’ll also add that both my girls trained right at 3 so they were less likely to play with their own poop by that point. 
Your children are gorgeous. My daughter is clearly older than yours (three in December), and is vehemently opposed to potty training. Whatever. I have two older sons; the first we trained by convincing him it was a given part of turning three. But that’s a ploy you can only use once– the other two are more world wise. The second wanted to BE his older brother and trained himself at 2 1/2. I’m waiting for their sister to kick our butts, as she is wont to do.
And what a great idea, to freeze cookies– I rarely make them as I work from home and would eat them all before the kids ever got a shot at them. But it doesn’t seem fair to have a cookie free household just because I’m weak. Freezing seems like a damn good solution. Thanks!
Flushing is STILL Hannah’s favorite part of using the potty. Well, that and yelling, “Yay, Mama, you peed! Good job!” in public restrooms.
So funny! I love reading about toddler adventures. They are such clever little people.
Oh, and did you hear that the latest “thing” for truly committed parents is potty training infants starting at 3 months? Hmm.
Dawn,
Pumpkin cookie recipe, please….????
Also, I had to laugh about the portable potty. I vote for not “training.” My daughter used the potty when she felt like it. No training from us did the trick–it just elongated the whole process.
We had a portable potty that moved around the house. She even watched cartoons in the living room sitting on the potty. The potty chair went to San Diego and to my mom’s house. I was glad when I got to put that potty out to pasture.
Alison
Is there some kind of sadism on my part that I derive so much enjoyment out of reading your life with the inner toddler?
You have the cutest kids!
extracurricular flinging!! I love it!!
(when do they stop?? seriously.)
Pure sweetness, this picture…
It’s all about the flushing here too - even at 5yo and up
is there curricular flinging going on too?
i’m all for freezing. made big batches of cake and froze in long loaf pans. pulled out for guests, a friend whose daughter was sick who i made dinner for, etc. currently have banana choc. chip and carrot in stock and makes me feel calmer about having guests over.
She is going to be SUCH a beauty. The signs are already there.
It may be just because we have a naughty dog (in this regard), but I interpreted your ‘dog’ comment as meaning your dog is not trained yet either. My dog is far worse than my toddler ever was when it comes to toilet training - and he’s five.
Our flinging issues just subsided about 3 weeks ago (he’s 21 months tomorrow). I kept doing positive reinforcement and tried everything. But I think one day he just stopped doing it because he felt like it. I had spent too many days getting whacked with sippy cups and racing to beat him to the meal remnants before he flung them from the table.
adorable kids