Hang On To Your Undies... It’s Transition Time.

We were notified this week that Noah will be ready to transition to the “early preschool” room after Christmas. It was definitely not unexpected; in fact, we were excited that he’d get to move into the room he was spending his afternoons in. The kids are older, which has challenged him in the best way possible.

There are a few things they ask of an early preschooler:

• “no sippy cups will be used. Your child will drink out of an open cup.” Sounds great! He is certainly able (though he rarely does it for us).
• “no pacifiers should be brought to school.” Fine with me... He’s been off of them for months.
• “your child will sleep on a cot with sheets we provide.” Not a problem; he’s been doing that for a year.
• “your child will begin potty training. Please pack extra changes of clothes and underwear.” *record scratch* WHAAA?!

We’ve been slowly getting into this potty training business, but now I feel like we’re up against a ticking clock. I’ve heard horror stories from other parents whose children were kicked out of day care because they weren’t potty trained by the school’s schedule. (Not that I get the impression that will happen here... Yet.) What if he’s not ready? Are they going to send him to baby jail?

And the thought of my BABY in UNDERWEAR!? He can’t be that old. I can’t be that old. I will have a kid in UNDERWEAR? Next thing I know, the kid in underwear will be in college, then married, then grandbabies... I need to find the pause button.     

*deep breath*

Noah has been very receptive to the potty in the bathroom. He recognizes it, and will go and sit on it (clothed) when we talk about potty. HOWEVER, the moment we go to pull his pants down, he freaks out. And trust me, there is no holding this child down. He is freaky strong.

I need tips here, people. When did you start potty training your child, and what were your methods?