Now that Arden is one (we celebrated her birthday a little over two weeks ago), we are gearing up for "what's next" on this crazy ride.
We've been done with bottles and formula for almost three months and she was really never a pacifier kinda gal. So my thoughts are mostly about walking, talking and oh, the dreaded potty training.
She's working on pulling herself up, but only truly manages that by holding on to us. She has yet to learn that she can use furniture and such to accomplish the same thing. I'm encouraging her to stand, but I'm not rushing it. A walking baby turns into a running toddler. They are much harder to contain.
She says a few "words". Dada is among her most popular and one of the few that I think actually qualifies as a word with some definite meaning behind it. Although I have heard what I believe is "banana" and "Bella" her favorite schnauzer of ours. She's still quite expressive and gets her point across. She loves telling what we call fish stories. They come with hand motions and lots of exagerated points and enthusiasm. There are times that she "says" things that if they were actual words would probably get her into A LOT of trouble.
I have often said that dogs and kids are similar. Now don't get all crazed. What I mean is both dogs and kids are very trainable. And often times what works for one, can work for both. "You want a cookie?" can be very motivating for both. (For my dogs, its actually a carrot, not a cookie but you get my point).
Something I've also learned from my dogs that applies to the kiddos, is that "no" just becomes noise unless followed by a command. "No, leave it" tells my dogs that that thing I just dropped on the floor is not for them. It's the same with our kids. Even at Arden's age (and before), I try to include a reason with my no. "No, that's danger" or "No, we talk nice" are just a few examples.
Eight years ago, we got Suki. The day I found her at the shelter I was in love! I had put a lot of thought into what I wanted in a dog focusing tempermant more than anything. I was brutally honest with myself because I realized that a dog was a long term commintment so I needed to choose wisely. I knew the things that wouldn't work well for me. I do not work well with a dominate dog. I had learned that from our last guy, Tucker. I also knew that I needed something that would be active, but not require a marathon everyday. With Suki, we found the perfect mix.
I brought her home and I was super freaked out about housebreaking her. She was really my first ever indoor dog. So I read everything I could before I brought her home. I don't know if it was her tempermant or my craziness, but she housebroke in four days and never had an "accident".
Why am I talking about housebreaking my dog? Housebreaking and potty training are so very similar. You need to pick up on the "signs" that either dog or kid are giving you. This, along with consitancy, is what makes for success in both realms.
And here we are. Arden has never liked a messy diaper. Even in the hospital, she would sqwuak to let you know she needed some attention. That has only progressed over the past year. This past week she has started literally going to the bathroom when she has a diaper that needs changing. I don't mean she is using the toilet, but she scoots herself into the bathroom and makes all sorts of racket until she gets changed.
This got me thinking. Is she "old" enough to potty train? I wouldn't hesitate if she were 14 or 16 months. But 12? Are they capable at that age?
Other countries, like China have their children " trained" by twelve months. They teach there kids to "go" on command. They start at birth to go when a certain whistle is heard. For parents, I'm sure there is a ton of motivation since diapers don't exist as we know them. (google it, you'll laugh and be grossed out all at once). Here in the US, the average kid is between 2 and 3 years old before they are diaper free.
Anyway, while researching things, I've found what is called EC or elimination communication. I thought it was a little weird at first. But now, I'm intrigued. This is where the dog vs. kid comes into play. When housebreaking, you watch for the signs that your dog need to go. You take them out first thing in the morning, after naps and before bed. You also take them out after meals. Soon you learn their pattern and vola! You have yourself a dog who will not make a mess in the house. Isn't that potty training?
In EC, some people actually start with their babies as early as a few days old. They take them periodically throughout the day and usually around the year mark (some before) they are no longer in diapers and are potty trained as we define the term. I have thoughts of trying this with Arden. I still am working out a few things. I think most of it is fighting the "standard". I felt the same way when I was told not to feed rice cereal first (or ever). This goes against everything I have ever known. But isn't that what makes this journey in particular so special?