"stripping" boys....

Hi gals,

I don't know if I'm looking for advice or venting! I finally got the boys down and to sleep today whew! Lately, the past 2 weeks or so, I am greeted often in the morning or after naps by my little sweet buck naked boys! (sigh) The first time it was funny and cute but believe me, it's getting very old! They are so dang cute at this age and their happy little smiles and jumping in the crib....but unfortunately, there's also the puddle in the bed, clothes on the floor and etc. Anyway, if any of you have ever gone through this my heart goes out to you! These are children 4 and 5 for me and I have never had to deal with this before now. So....I guess I will be jumping into the potty training arena starting tomorrow. I am going to do one of those 3 day courses so wish me luck! Have a great day everyone and thanks for letting me vent here.

~Mary~

 

It's been going on at our house for longer than I can remember now -- more than a year, for certain. I don't know if you've read any of my poop stories but it gets worse than a puddle, believe me. They're finally getting old enough to understand more and so I instructed them to leave their clothes on and call for help. When they call, I come in and make a huge fuss and that makes them so happy. They're doing better although we still have our days.

 

I went to putting them in one piece pajamas, with the feet cut off and backwards. I did this even for naps. We had a little "talk" recently, and they said they wanted to sleep in their clothes for nap, and so far, so good. But I don't trust them for a whole 12 hr night, so it's still backwards pajamas for bed.

 

For some reason, my girls only do this for nap time. My mother in law made these diaper wraps...worked for a few weeks then they learned how to untie them....which wasn't easy, as they were tied around both the front and back and double knotted.

So, now Meridith for the most part keeps her clothes on. Ashley still takes them off for naps....but.....we smack her hands, take all of the stuff out of the crib and tell her she is naughty. I also have a talk with them and bribe them. I tell them that if they are naughty and don't go to sleep and they take off their clothes, then I make them clean. If they are good, and keep all their clothes on, they get a "present".....going over to grandparents, going out shopping, sometimes buying something...just making the day a little extra special for being good. Not sure if it is the right way to go about it...but it seems to be getting better.

 

Oh yes, I forgot to share the stuff we did to stop them. None of it worked for longer than a week or two with my little houdinis but you might have better luck. We did: sleep sacks, sleep sacks with the neck holes tacked to make them more escape-resistant, sleep sacks with tacked necks on backward, backward one-piece pajamas, and onesies under their clothes. Some people put duct tape on the diaper tabs but my guys can tear disposables off or push them down and have no trouble removing the cloth diapers we normally use during the day so I worked more on keeping the top layer on. The worst day ever was when I came in and my layers had stayed in place but Trent had fished the poop out by pulling his arm into the sleepsack, finding his way up his shorts leg, past the onesie, and into the diaper. Yes, a fully dressed boy painted in feces and not a peep until his brother ratted him out.

Avoid using safety pins because they can be pulled open by a determined toddler.

 

Thanks for all your posts! Seems to be quite a few of us with the same problem! I told you I am going to try this 3 day potty approach. Has anyone here done this? I am going to start on Sunday because the whether is calling me to take these little people sledding today. It's beautiful here in Utah. I have to be very committed and home for this potty program so I'll let you know how it tursn out if you're interested. Again, thanks for your posts. I had fun reading them and believe me, I can relate to all of you. (Unfortunately even the "Poo" one!!!) ~Mary~

 

QUOTE(debid @ Jan 12 2008, 09:36 AM) [snapback]569476[/snapback]
The worst day ever was when I came in and my layers had stayed in place but Trent had fished the poop out by pulling his arm into the sleepsack, finding his way up his shorts leg, past the onesie, and into the diaper. Yes, a fully dressed boy painted in feces and not a peep until his brother ratted him out.



I'm NEVER complaining about my boys again!

I think it was Jenny (Her Royal Jennyness) who coined the phrase "Poopcasso" (as opposed to Picasso) for fecally artistic toddlers. :bad:

 

I have never posted here but lurked a bit. I have experienced the same thing with my two yr old boys and had to jump in with my solution. i found this on another board but it worked for me. It has saved me changing sheets and clothes 3 times a day. In footed pajamas we took gromits (circular metal holes that you put in clothes..pkg comes with instrument to install) and put it beside top of zipper. Then take yarn and put it thru zipper eyelet (top or bottom) and loop thru gromit hole. Then knot a couple of times. It has work wonders and my Houdini's haven't got out. In the morning I have to take the scissors to cut their knots but it is well worth it.

 

Very clever. What about the neck hole, though? I guess my boys are pretty skinny but they don't seem to have any issue with squeezing out of the neck hole and removing their jammies still zipped. I keep saying I'm going to invent a toddler straight jacket for stripper babies.

QUOTE(d&msmom @ Jan 12 2008, 10:02 PM) [snapback]570084[/snapback]
I have never posted here but lurked a bit. I have experienced the same thing with my two yr old boys and had to jump in with my solution. i found this on another board but it worked for me. It has saved me changing sheets and clothes 3 times a day. In footed pajamas we took gromits (circular metal holes that you put in clothes..pkg comes with instrument to install) and put it beside top of zipper. Then take yarn and put it thru zipper eyelet (top or bottom) and loop thru gromit hole. Then knot a couple of times. It has work wonders and my Houdini's haven't got out. In the morning I have to take the scissors to cut their knots but it is well worth it.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I am going to try those gromits. ~Mary~