Tmccool's Blog

Hey Tracy! First off, Your kids are gorgeous! CJ is starting to look so much like Cass!! Anyways, I had 3 babies in 4 years with my oldest being almost 5. With our first one we were so nervous about everything from her not being off the bottle, binky, potty trained, etc... within the doctors guidelines. What we finally learned is if we didn't say anything at all and just let nature take its course, it worked much better than battling a toddler day in and day out. I'm not saying to let Cass run the show. But, if you encourage her to make big girl transitions with insentives and such and she puts up a little stink, then that's ok and roll with it. But if you find yourself fighting a losing battle with a 2 yr old, then just let things rest a little while. I'm sure you know that with CJ being the "baby" in the house it's going to be tougher on her emotionally to let go of the things she knows gets her the attention. It's a big adjustment for our little ones:) We just went through it with our almost 4 yr old and the potty issue. She was almost 90% potty trained with the exception of bedtime and she regressed within the past 3 mos. We had her at the doctors and he checked her over and finally boiled it down to a jealousy phase she went into towards the baby who's 14mos old. We have since been spending one on one time with her between my husband and I and reinforcing the "big girl" duties and she's been doing excellent. My point is, we expected our girls to be jealous when Ryan first came along, not months later. You might find the same thing happens with Cass later rather than so

Cold turykey. Explain to the little one, this is what happens at your age. If she throws a tantrum and/or cries, put her in the bedroom and let her cry. Don't get freaked out cause she's crying. Be firm. Go in her room once in a while and explain again, firmly, this is the way it's gonna be. Also, give her praise and positive thoughts. Have hubby bring her a present when he gets home. That works every time!

Though the Nannies & the doctors recommend that children are 'broke' from their bottles at a year of age. As you will see it doesn't work all the time for every child. As a mother who was also a daycre teacher for 7 years for mainly 2-3 year ols I will be the first to tell you -- THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT!!

Alot of benefits is that you would hear different things parents did with their children or the best part is coming up w. ideas with the parents to help them..

Belive it or not-
Throwing her a "BIG GIRL PARTY" would not only be beneficial BUT fun.
I haven't met too many parents within my years that this DIDN'T WORK! (Not saying it would though)

This is what you guys can do!!
You talk it over with Cassidy "How would you like to have a Big girl party & help mommy plan it?"
That way she feels like she is not only a "BIG GIRL"- but she will feel involved.

Exspect some disagreement when you let her know it's a party for Big girls to rid of her bottles (or pacifers)

I would push the issue if she rejecting it ...
But keep it in the air & bring it up.

When it's time make sure she has some other 'friends' there other than your family & friends.

In this party you would have the same as a birthday party but Instead it's more of a Celebration!

During the "end" or what not of the party she is to be encouraged to "trash" the bottles...
you could decorate the can what not you know your daughter more than anyone.

The gifts are to be more like the sippys & or Big Girl cups possibly fun & or her favorite character(s) on it. (Like Dora, Elmo ect)

When she

TRACY, I TOLD MY SON THAT THE BOTTLE FAIRY CAME AND TOOK ALL THE BOTTLES FOR THE BABIES THAT NEEDED THEM. I TOLD HIM HE WAS A BIG BOY AND THAT ALOT OF BABIES NEEDED BOTTLES. IT WORKED! HE NEVER WANTED TO BE CONSIDERED A BABY, HE WAS A BIG BOY. GOOD LUCK, MOTHERHOOD IS NOT AN EASY JOB. KATHY FREDERICK