Our EC Goal of the Fortnight

Records:
(Monday 6^th February)

• Maven had a breastfeed, I could see he needed to go (plucking on and off boob, wriggling to get on floor, piggly wiggly). I put him down, got his attention, said /signed "toilet, Maven" and crawled with him having fun to the bathroom (only a few metres away) He tried to go off in the wrong direction, I pointed him the right way, and we got there happily. I gave him a sink pee break. He grizzled at first, I said ‘relax, have a pee pee, pss pss’ and imagined him peeing, he went. I said "Let’s flush the toilet, you did a pee pee" and we did. Yay!

(Tuesday 7^th February)

• After Bf – encouraged him into the bathroom by crawling together, he went in the sink. We flushed the toilet together.

• During Bf Maven did his ‘plucking’ sign. I popped him on the floor, asked/signed ‘toilet’ he took off in the wrong direction, I turned him, we went to the bathroom, I held him over the potty for a pee, We talked about this, we emptied it and flushed the toilet. (He really enjoys ‘helping’ with this part)

• Maven waved his arms while in the bathroom –signalled need to POOP! Did it in the toilet even! We flushed the toilet.

• After a shower – Maven played with the potty after going into the bathroom, played with toilet seat, had a pee on the potty, flushed the toilet. (didn’t make it in time once today - note this only relates to  when attempting our goal)

(Wednesday 8^th February)

• (didn’t make it in time twice today) I need to ensure I put him down nearer the bathroom!

• We were playing with flannels and bibs, he crawled towards the bathroom, I encouraged him the rest of the way, and then we waited patiently until he went (over sink), Maven playing with the electric toothbrush, then we flushed the toilet.

• On waking Maven had a pee-poop in his bowl as usual, then went back for another feed. He began wiggling to get off the bed. When I helped him, he charged to the bathroom and clanked the toilet seat (lifting and dropping it) I sat on the edge of the bath and gave him a pee-break into the loo, then we flushed the toilet.

• Quite late (8.20pm) Maven was feeding, plucking at boob, trying to get off the bed. I popped him on the floor near the bathroom doorway , I went in and encouraged him in. He thought about it, (he’d been having a ‘no thanks’ day) came in, came to the loo, clanked the seat, I gave him a pee break into the loo (took a few moments for him to relax). We flushed the loo!

• Also quite late today (after 8), I saw a sign, took Maven to near the room, he came in happily this time, I offered a pee over the loo, he cracked a fit until I gave him a go into the sink, and he went there straight away. So, that's why he'd been doing that all day - didn't want to go in the toilet! (We flushed the loo anyway)

• Missed first opportunity - too far away, too busting. Missed next yelling call, too!

• Maven came to bathroom, peed in doorway. Terrible day - travelling non stop house hunting, headache, shoulder in pain, Maven grizzly as a result. Going to bed early. Also, he hadn't had a poop, I'm sure that contributes to poor signalling.

(Monday 13^th February)

• Maven had his morning poop, back on to feed more, pulled off, hopped off the bed, charged happily to the bathroom (Chris was in there, opened the door) He went in, had a pee in to the loo while watching Dad shave, quite happily again, as if the most normal thing in the world.

(Tuesday 14^th February)

• Maven was having an early morning feed (9am), when signs he needed to pee became clear. I popped him on the ground, said "You need to go to the toilet, let's go" and encouraged him into the bathroom where he looked around for a bit (the washing machine was on), sat down and signalled again (frown, swinging his arm). Then he did a pee in the loo and we flushed it, after saying "You did a pee, let's flush the loo".

• Maven and I were feeding and playing. He did his plucking signal while feeding, I kept him playing a bit longer, then popped him on the floor. It took quite a bit of coaxing to get him into the bathroom! He kept going away a bit, sitting up, playing with pickle, frowning, being anxious (pee signs). I changed his direction a few times, then he came in and came over to the loo after a bit more fluffing around. (I was sure he would have an accident!) Then he happily peed in the loo and we flushed it!

(Wednesday 15^th February)

• Maven piddled in the doorway to the bathroom at our first 'goal' opportunity of the morning, and that was it for the day - the only miss, yet our only chance to practise our goal. Plus, I couldn't be bothered today. Driving, driving....

(Thursday 16^th February)

• Maven went into the bathroom of his own accord. Dad turned on the tap! Then he peed on the floor. 

• We were playing on the bed after a feed. Maven kept racing to the end of the bed to get off, I kept playing until this became a more definite sign (he started sitting up straight and frowning as well), then I said "Toilet, Maven?" (sign) I stood him up and 'walked' him to the bathroom - he went happily in front of me, to the toilet where we bashed and dropped the lid, lifted the lid, then he peed in the loo (took a few moments to relax into it, did a grizzle-arch first). Then he was really excited to help press the button as he stood on the closed lid.

• I was in the bathroom. Maven came in (I asked/signed him in). He came to the loo, but didn't want to go there at all - he preferred to use the sink.

(Friday 17^th February)

(Saturday 18^th February)

(Sunday 19^th February)

• I need to ensure I put him down near the bathroom at first! Having the bathroom in sight is helpful, too.

• Flushing the toilet together when he’s gone has been great fun for him, and also encourages the right sequence for the future.

• Flipping and dropping the toilet lid, although perhaps not the most hygienic signal, is nonetheless very loud and clear as a signal to encourage – perhaps thumping it will be better! (for when I am not there)

• Mornings seem to have better communication? Afternoons he may pee less, but seems more distracted.

• Turning bathroom activities such as moving the seat, using toilet paper and flushing the loo into enjoyable parts of the process is effective in keeping the bathroom a fun place.

• He has a definite preference for using the sink at this stage - he likes the mirror. I guess I could try sticking a mirror to the toilet lid! LOL.

• He has been extremely clear if he really didn't need to go this week - arching and grizzling on the way to the bathroom. If he did need to go, he'd be relaxed, or his grumping would be half-hearted.

• "Gentle persistence" is a good strategy, although it seems to take forever, is important those times he 'forgets' why we went there, better than him going on the floor five minutes later! We aim to have fun while waiting, as he sometimes gets narky.

Review:

Previous to having this goal I had experienced this behaviour once. During this fortnight we had 17 examples of this type of communication because I was actively seeking and encouraging it with Maven. He is so smart! Focussing on this idea at least once per day for a fortnight has helped me be more aware. Some days were really easy, others it just was not working, and that is fine. Doing it the week we moved interstate was perhaps not the best idea as many other stresses were involved, but we still did great, plus life (and EC) must go on! Overall, looking back it has been a fun experience, and aiming for just once per day has been a very good idea. So, we got to the stage where he'll go with me to the bathroom when he needs to go, with encouragement. This is great progress! Plus the fact that he so clearly signed to Chris - about the second time we have responded correctly to that sign. (that I recall)

Fresh ideas (Where to go from here)

As a result of this time, I think I'll just continue with the once-per-day (or when I think of it) approach, combining it into our routine, and follow Maven's lead now that I know he is up to the idea more. I carefully choose the times he needs to go, yet is not so busting that he has an accident. This means during or after breastfeeds have been the most successful times. Other times we have half made it there but I've picked him up for the rest of the way as I could tell he wasn't 'into' it at the time - no point having needless accidents. He'll do it more and more as he matures, I am sure. The next stage would be for Maven to alert me himself, or go there on his own volition. He has done this twice I recall this fortnight, although I have missed the opportunity each time for whatever reason. 

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