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I think I’ve told anyone that will listen that when it comes to potty training, I’m a complete failure. My control-freak nature and complete lack of patience may have played a part in it. Or maybe I read all the wrong books. Or failed to follow their advice. Whatever. It just has not been pleasant for us.

After many years and much stress we do have three children that have ceased voiding in their underwear. For the most part, anyway. But, any success is due to nature, age, or something not having to do with me.

So, with Number 4, I have chosen NOT to potty train. For the most part. I mean, I got out the little potty and the potty seat for the big potty. And, I ask when he wakes up if he wants to go. I also told him that whenever he decides to start pooping on the potty, we’ll have a party. And I’ve encouraged the other kids to encourage him. That’s about it. I’ve told everyone that with Sam, I’m going to wait until he comes to me and says, “Mom? I need to use the toilet now.” And then goes off and does it on his own.

Preschool doesn’t start until September and at a recent meeting the teacher told us that if our children weren’t COMPLETELY potty trained not to worry about it. She’d go easy on us. That, let me tell you, takes a ton of stress off.

Well, amazingly, it’s happened! On Friday, Sam pulled out the potty seat, put it on the potty, and told me he needed to poop. “Do you need any help?” I asked. “No,” he told me. While I went on with my business in the kitchen, he got down to business in the bathroom. The next thing I knew, he was hollering that he “did it!”  Truthfully, I didn’t believe him, as we’ve had false poopers in this family before. But, when I looked, it was definitely there!

WHOOOOHOOOOOOO! All those experienced moms with six kids DO know what they’re talking about when they say kids do it on their own when they’re ready.

I joyfully sang the Super Duper Pooper song to Sam and he asked about his party. We planned it for the next day.

As Dan had to work on Saturday morning, I bravely chose to run some errands with the kids. Besides going to Home Depot for shrubs, we hit Target for cake mix and Kohl’s for Underoos. (Sam had said he wanted Cars underwear.)

Since Kohl’s was having a buy 2 get 1 free sale on Underoos, I bought all the boys a set. When we got to the register, the cashier asked who had chosen the Batman pair, as her son was a big fan. Maria – spokeswoman for the family – answered with, “Those are Jack’s. Sam got the Cars ones ’cause he pooped on the potty yesterday. BIG!” The cashier chuckled, the woman behind us clapped and I about died.

I don’t have any expectations that Sam is completely finished with diapers, but I am hoping that by the time we’re finished with the current package (remember, we shop at Costco) he’ll be in his new boxer briefs regularly.

Last night we all celebrated with chocolate cake (’cause what other kind is there?) and sang the Super Dooper Pooper song to Sam. He is SO PROUD!