Potty Training 101

Between soaking wet mattresses and urine-filled pyjamas, we're still trying our best to ensure our little princess Shannon stops leaking in the middle of the night.

Our strategy worked for Nigel, who hasn't wet his bed for a long time, touch wood. It consisted of 3 steps:

1. Minimal water before bedtime - this contradicts the instructions which requires them to drink as much water to chase the ahem bug away. Sometimes they ask for some water just before they sleep, which Celest tends to dismiss. However, it's strange to tell them to drink lots of water and then turn around and reject their request for a small thirst quencher. I tend to give them a small sip, just to wet their lips.
   
2. Pee just before sleeping.
3. Regular involuntary parent-initiated visits to the toilet during the night - and this means checking for wetness each time we walk by their beds when we ourselves go to toilet - and then carrying the little toddler to the washroom to help them safely release their liquid waste into the bowl.

Step 3 is the one requiring the effort - and you tend to tell yourself "nah, it won't happen, I'm not going to strain my back tonight carrying 17kg of sleepy human weight the whole distance of 15 metres". Next thing you know, the whole bed's wet, the clothes are wet and there you are carrying out this massive operation at 4am which might include carrying a mattress down the steps in pitch dark.

But history has proven that if you keep at it, one day you will magically ask each other, "Hey! When's the last time she wet her bed?" and you will have to think real hard because you honestly cannot remember. And that is a good thing, no?