Yesterday, after posting the video of my son using the bathroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHQf7Ph-soc), I received many negative comments. I’d like to address some of those.
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There were two comments that were particularly frustrating to me, the first one being that I was “holding him like an animal.” (Referring to my son) I must say, that is simply absurd. I hold Axel in a manner that makes him the most comfortable, and that just happens to be in a squatting position, which is believed by many to help facilitate the eliminating process, especially bowel movements. No, this is not a theory, it is something that works for my child. I have seen the proof. I have also experienced this myself. What can I say- we like camping, but there’s not always a bathroom facility available. ;)
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Secondly, people seemed perturbed by the fact that I “woke” Axel up from his nap, in order to bring him to the potty. That is just not so. I never wake up my child for a bathroom visit, he always does so on his own. The reason he was being woken up was because his nap was over. I am trying to get him into somewhat of a routine, because his schedule, or lack thereof, is starting to wear on everyone in the household. He is cranky, we are cranky, and we all need sleep. If he takes too long of a nap, he won’t be tired when bedtime rolls around, and therefore, we don’t get the sleep we need.
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I do, however, bring him to the bathroom as soon as he wakes up, regardless of whether or not he woke up on his own, as such was the occasion recorded on the video. I suppose that the next time we decide to make a video, we will record him going potty during his “awake” hours.
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For future reference, all those who have disagreements with my site, or what I post, I’d ask that you please make a substantial argument in favor of your opinion without making mean statements about my lifestyle choices. You are not forced to read my posts, but if you truly feel that I could do something better, present your side of the story. Who knows, if you make a good enough point, maybe I’ll change my ways. I’m not closed minded on these issues, and I realize I don’t know everything.
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I’d also like to thank the few that have encouraged me. I deeply appreciate it, especially when all the feedback I seem to be getting is rude and unhelpful. I hope that more people can accept that I am doing what I feel is best for my family, without criticizing me.
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I am not judging anyone for doing things differently, at all. I think it’s perfectly okay for you to live the way you want to live, and it’s also fine for you to dislike the way I live. Opposition will always be present in our society, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but I do think there are healthy ways in which people can disagree.
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Thank you all for reading.
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(Later today: Our budgeting struggles, and successes!)
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I don’t think I knew about elimination communication until my daughter was 8 months old and using the potty. People told me that was way too early. Personally, I think that the “training” methods that people use on toddlers or preschoolers seem like the sort of thing one would do to get an animal to do something unnatural rather than the natural focusing of a parent on a child to recognize their elimination cues and help their child recognize what is to be done when the sensation occurs. As a society, we’re far from child-focused, though, and anything that stems from this viewpoint is often dismissed or criticized. Keep your focus and all will be well.
I havent seen the video yet, but the comments you mentioned do sound harsh. Your the mom and you know best what works for your child. I wouldnt worry what anyone else thinks, if it works for you and your son, thats all that matters. I used to be a nanny so I know how important it is to keep kids on a routine, which means sometimes you have to wake up the child if they are oversleeping. If not, they throw off your schedule later on and the parents get no sleep!