FRYday : Emily

You guys, I’ve written three different Frydays, attempting to be inspirational or profound when really, I just want to talk about poop* for a second, is that cool?

Tales of Potty Training

We potty-trained our little guy Cal this Summer and it has taken me months of simmering enough to want to share something mortifying with you. But first, some back story. This poor kid, since the day I weaned him at sixteen months old, has had a rough go of… the topic* of this post ever since. I avoided potty training for months, and it consumed so much of my thoughts I could’ve learned another language with the brain space I reserved for his digestion. Getting enough fiber into his diet, fresh produce, trying different kinds of milk and milk substitutes. Doing everything the pediatrician recommended plus everything holistic thing I could find. Stirring diuretics into his applesauce, literally everything minus a rain dance. The point of this is to say that the least of my worries was a #2 accident when we were out and about. The kid offers AMPLE notice before that train ever leaves the station.

Then one day we were at a sports store that will forever remain nameless. We had a gift card and were walking the aisles trying to decide what we needed. My boys were wandering (running) around as they always do, when Cal was quiet for approximately one minute. I called out to him and he said a muffled “I’ll be right der!” Hayes, Russ and I followed his voice, Hayes several steps ahead when I hear him say “It’s poop!” (He really said the S word but I am trying to hold onto my last scrap of dignity as a failing mother.) Russ and I make the flushed embarrassed emoji face as Cal confirms Hayes’ statement, that statement had somehow fallen out of his shorts onto the ground. Cal then offered a very matter-of-fact “I pooped in the spoyts stoy.” (Still no Rs.)

The next several minutes are a blur, and I wish I had the security footage on tape for the laugh: Russ covering the evidence with tissue from the shoes we were now apparently buying, standing guard, trying to look nonchalant. Me sprinting across the store, less nonchalantly, to the bathroom telling any confused shoppers “Just testing out these running shoes.” Grabbing paper towels, sprinting back. Cal proudly retelling, “Member when I pooped in the spoyts stoy?” as if it didn’t just happen seven seconds prior, and Hayes laughing hysterically. Me sprinting back to the bathroom again with the parcel, while Russ scrubs every inch of the area with a travel size anti-bacterial spray. A trusted brand that will also remain nameless because they no doubt want nothing to do with this story! All the while I can’t help but be totally stoked that he just pooped with relative ease, and if that doesn’t make me the biggest mom on Earth, I don’t know what does! Once we had the perimeter under control we turned to Cal, still pleased as punch. His shorts miraculously unscathed, unlike our pride.

Moral of this tale is for any of you parents who felt like you were failing this week, I assure you, you’re doing a great job. And even if you did fail a little, the Frames brought the average way down so, you’re welcome. To those brave souls who are potty training this weekend, my heart is with you.

xo Emily

7 Comments

  • Caitlin Powell
    September 26, 2014 at 10:46 am

    This story is absolute gold!! I’m still laughing as I’m writing this. You’re writing is fantastic…I can picture the entire scenario, “parcel” included. I also feel your pain in the “problem” department as well–my little guy is 17 months and he’s been struggling since we put him on solids at 5 months. Still searching for that magic cure. Thank you for the much needed entertainment!

    Caitlin
    Livingpowellblog.blogspot.com

    Reply
  • Kendra
    September 26, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    Absolutely loved this, Emily! I’m getting ready to start with mine and I’m so nervous!

    Reply
  • Gillian
    September 26, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Quite possibly the best thing I’ve read in a long time,laughed so hard and have now put potty training on hold for a further week or two….it’s ok to wear nappies at 10, yeah?!

    Reply
  • Lydia Lane
    September 26, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    This made my day! I am sorry you had to go throught that, but what a great story. Kids are full of surprises.

    Reply
  • Tiffanie
    September 27, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Hilarious. I feel you’re pain. Potty training is not for wimps!

    Reply
  • Alex
    September 29, 2014 at 11:14 am

    This story goes down in the books. You will definitely be laughing about this one for years to come. And Emily, YOU are super-mom. Kudos to you for coming up with a quick POA for how to deal with a totally gross situation. You are an inspiration! 😉

    Reply
  • Walker
    October 22, 2014 at 9:18 pm

    Oh, wow, I’m so behind on my feedly, but this post was exactly what I needed to read tonight after 10 days of solo parenting!! Glad for the reminder that we’re all in this together!

    Reply

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