It’s been a learning experience, but nappy days are almost over ... at last
“It’ll clean up,” thomas announced nonchalantly, as he stepped away from a wet patch on the living room carpet.
I didn’t doubt it would “clean up” but the better scenario would have been if he’d made an effort to approach the potty.
traditionally, I explained, we try to go to the toilet somewhere other than our pants, even if at the time that seems the most convenient place. to be fair, Paw Patrol was on the television and he was involved with lego, but that was a week ago and no longer am I scanning
the floor for puddles.
the only thing left to master is the timing of potty and pulling the pants down although the general foundations of a nappy free existence have been built.
It’s been a learning experience for us all and there have been some intriguing discoveries along the toilet training journey.
the first being girls and boys are very different. thomas appeared comfortable to have an accident then just push on with his day, whereas Emma would demand new pants and trousers.
It’d be unfair to draw any kind of conclusion from this regarding men, women and our basic levels of discomfort and potentially hygiene, but interesting none the less.
the second was thomas seemed very comfortable with lots of public adulation while sitting on the potty, whereas Emma enjoyed the attention in the more dignified position of not being on the toilet.
In fact, it became very apparent early on, Victoria and I whooping and applauding when she went to the toilet meant she hid under the table and sought out a toy tractor trailer so she could take care of business with some dignity.
Again, it’d be wrong to read too much into this and say men seem
unconcerned about going for a wee in public.
The third surprise was the gentle underlying tension of children without nappies. It’s subsided now but for the first day or two,
I’d feel myself relax then immediately remember they were only wearing pants and shout frantically, “wee, who needs the potty, wee, remember wee”.
Fourthly, there is no such thing as too many pants. We had what I’d describe as a reasonable amount of pants, but what actually turned out to be a morning’s worth.
Much to my shame, I did put one pair in the bin on the basis I felt they were too far gone, and I simply couldn’t face whatever was required of me to make them wearable again.
The next step is night-time pants and that’ll be the last time we have to deal with nappies.
Well, until the roles are reversed, and the twins have to put Victoria and I in them but hopefully not for a good 50 years.