This review is part of the Hard_to_Please Love Fest, organized by diverpam, for our friend Mark (Hard_to_Please) who was recently diagnosed with advanced cancer. All funds raised this write-off will be donated to Mark to help defray some of his expenses.
Although Mark has his own wonderfully unique style we are each attempting to honor him by writing in our best Hard_to_Please fashion. We hope you will enjoy the entries. I haven’t been around here long enough to “get a style” – but I have enjoyed Mark’s – so here goes… I just hope it goes well.
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Once Upon a Potty – Girl
I had to learn to urinate in front of an audience. No, this wasn’t bad community theater; this was real life for this stay-at-home-mom. My daughters seem to think that if Mom is at home, she is fair game. Ok, I can understand why they might jump to this conclusion. I am at their beck and call 96.8% of their day. I am chief cook and bottle washer, not to mention #1 butt wiper and procurer of clothing and fun toys.
The Gabster and JB like to come along whenever I try to have a brief escape to the commode. Actually, JB likes to sit on my lap, which I find gross – but The Hubby thinks is amusing. Sure, he doesn’t have to void with a 25-pound toddler on his lap. Maybe it has to do with that separation anxiety thing. Yes, I know, I could let them bang on the door, but everyone goes pee and poop and what better way for them to learn about it than up close and in person.
The bathroom was actually a great place to introduce Once Upon a Potty - Girl, since the bathroom is an underlying theme. The Gabster got to spend some time in the actual room where the action discussed in this great children’s book was supposed to occur. Talk about valuable field trips and learning experiences.
The Pot, er Plot
Many have read of my trials, travels and travails with The Gabster and the potty seat. Part of our getting to the actual “No More Diapers For Me” stage was the continuous reading and viewing of Once Upon a Potty - Girl. Originally I had my doubts. How could I read a story to The Gabster that used the words pee-pee and wee-wee and keep a straight face? How could I convey that this was serious business when the phrasing left something better to be desired? Silly Mom – children under the age of four who haven’t been exposed to rude older siblings and obnoxious neighbor kids actually dig this stuff. Whew! The experiment could continue.
I read Once Upon a Potty to The Gabster (and by default JB) every morning after changing her urine filled 3 pound Pamper for about five months. I would march her (hey a little exercise at 7 am does a body good) into the bathroom and let her pick where she wanted to sit. About half the time she’d perch on her potty chair – sometimes sans diaper. We’d watch the video 2 or 3 times a week, again sometimes on the “throne”. (See my profile for photo details).
In this fun for all (well those 3 and under) book the heroine, Prudence figure out how to use the potty. At first, Prudence is not even sure what this gift she has received from her Grandmother is. Actually, neither was I. This classic story is over 25 years old and the supposed potty chair actually looks like a chamber pot or a bedpan with a handle or a giant lemonade pitcher. That aside, Prudence wonders if this odd present is a flowerpot or a birdbath before discovering its true purpose.
This book was written and illustrated by Alona Frankel and was first published in Hebrew. That may explain some of the choices for words to describe “voiding”. She also wrote this for her young son – so a safe guess is probably that these are the words they used. No problems here – she suggests using whatever words you and your family feel comfortable with.
In our family that depends who is going. The value of the term “BM” always escaped me, but this is what my sister-in-law in Texas has taught her 2 sets of twins (yes –2, both boy/girl) – oh well, whatever. When my father-in-law excuses himself he usually mutters something about “..going to visit his cousin.” While this is cute for a former Marine, The Hubby and I both wanted The Gabster to be understood by the general public when trying to convey her need to eliminate urine from her body. We used the phrases “I have to go to the bathroom” (pretty basic) and “Do you need to go potty?” – and they seemed to catch on. Fortunately, at The Gabster’s preschool they believe in using “REAL” words – so another adult, who is not nagging her, asks her if she needs to use the toilet on a daily basis. Her words for the items she eliminates include pee and poop and “blurine”. I wonder if a friend’s house has one of those “Mr. Tidy Bowls” that turn the water blue.
Newer editions of the book come with a very helpful letter from the author.
Dear Fellow-Parents,
Once Upon a Potty is best used as a companion volume to a child's new potty. I wrote this book when my own child was toilet training to help him better understand the process. My son was encouraged and excited by this story. It motivated him to make the developmental leap from diaper to potty.
Potty talk has long been considered taboo in conversation - even between parent and child. Thankfully, this attitude is changing, and children and parents are all the happier for it. I believe that a frank and open approach to all bodily functions is a good, healthy attitude toward child rearing. I have decided to use "Wee-Wee" and "Poo-Poo" in this book, but I encourage you to read the story with your child using words most suitable for you and your family.
Learning to use the potty is often a lengthy process, taxing the patience of both parent and child. When success finally comes — and it should come in its own good time, without undue pressure or haste — it enhances the child's confidence and pride. She has taken another step toward independence. She sat on the potty as a little child and got up feeling ten-feet tall.
It's one small step for mankind, but a giant one for your family.
Love, Alona
Back to the Story
Once Upon a Potty - Girl deals with Prudence, her mom and her bathroom adventures. The boy’s version is identical except that Pru becomes Joshua and has the appropriate anatomy for a three-year-old boy. It is very straightforward, in a sweet and simple way. This is your body; this is what your body can do. This book does detail Prudence’s body parts and bodily functions, so if you are a little Pru-dish around your children, it may not be for you.
The story begins:
This is Prudence. Prudence is a little girl.
Hello. I am Prudence 's mother. I'd like to tell you about Prudence and her new potty.
The adventure continues:
Just like you, Prudence has a body, and this body has many nice and useful parts:
The details start at the top of Prudence's body and work their way down. You can imagine a little naked Pru here – or get the book and see her for yourself.
A head for thinking
Eyes for seeing
Ears for hearing
A mouth to talk and eat with
Hands for playing
A pee-pee for making Wee-Wee
Legs for walking and running
A bottom for sitting and in it a little hole for making Poo-Poo
Yes, Prudence does show us her backside and the little hole, but it is all pretty innocent. The illustrations are actually pretty charming, very simple line drawings. (Art majors – please comment with the correct style).
Prudence’s mother explains how Prudence has always worn diapers and that her parents have always changed them, even to this day. No mention of a Diaper Genie, Pampers or Huggies here. Then comes Grandma’s present and Prudence’s puzzlement as to its exact purpose. I won’t give away the plot (or did I above?)– but there are more cute pictures of Prudence figuring out its function. Prudence then goes on to learn when and how to use the potty, that accidents sometimes happen and that “going to the potty takes time”. This particular message it the one that has hit home in our home. One of The Gabster’s favorite bathroom refrains is “the poop takes time” and this can often be heard as she is trying to stall going to sleep 30 minutes after her supposed bedtime.
Prudence has a bit of a backslide and returns to her diapers, but her mother is a saint and there is no criticism expressed. When we were at this point we had to explain to The Gabster that accidents sometimes just happen, but it was nice for her to see “a friend” having them too. Happily, both The Gabster and Prudence obtain control over their bodily functions – well at least the ones dealing with waste.
FYI
There is also a wonderful video with the same title. It is the exact same story in 8 minutes followed by an “expert” pediatrician discussing toilet training that is meant to be viewed by parents. The Gabster LOVES the video and still wants to watch it to this day. I often catch her humming the theme song “Yes, I’m Going to the Potty, Potty” when she is seated on the throne.
If you are starting to think about potty training, put Once Upon a Potty – Girl high on your list. In fact, start here. It is a wonderful way to gradually introduce your child to using the bathroom in a friendly and easy manner.
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jankp, jkkelley,29th Candidate, Sunkah, Dr_Steph, bwyckoff1, jo.com, AinsleyJo, Lady Cynic, frazzledspice, mcmaster, roxymarie, LordAngel, sherrylee, brendametcalf, pambo, NoMattrWht, Sordid-1, nwinston, SLOW, Suzer, Biggs219, melissasrn, MattJoe, ifif1938, DiverPam, GinaHill, grandgram, Hikini, pogomom, bops_mom, purplewiz, movielover123, repulsemonkey, Redhotleigh, gonow, hypotenuse, blackcat2, mkp51, Kevlog, flamepillar, PSobel, Taurusmoon, nathsmom, daddieo, Zenhues, cldoss, 2buzy, Lizf, gransurfer1, Deaser26, Auldbawl1, Michiman1, prfstars, BARNZ, fransbebe, Granniemose, ggrimes1221, ginzo, eplovejoy, michealhead, Arthur.Rubin, lisa_j, cripper, Hadassahchana, teddiec, mtbat, momsworkinlate, viper1963, dragonfire88, Linda1527, jgibson2, Pamelita3099, MaryTara, msmorvay
For a link to all the reviews in the write-off, please visit
http://interlinediscounts.com/writeoff.htm.
Please take some time to read all of the reviews in this write-off as the money will go to help someone very special in our community. A special thank you to diverpam (http://www.epinions.com/user-diverpam) for sponsoring this write off.
Mark - Keep The Faith. Time, Love and Laughter are the best medicine.
If you wish to make contributions directly to Mark's medical fund you may do so by going to http://www.paypal.com and sending money to Marks's account -- dude4u@netzero.net
You can mail direct contributions to:
Serious Business
Attn: Mark
P/O/ Box 852
O’Fallon, Mo. 63366
Thank you all and keep your prayers directed at Mark and all who need our love and support.
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